Customer Reviews

Medicine

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a long time Planet Asia fan and I gotta say this album seems like the pressure to appeal to the mainstream is finally getting to him. Though I gotta say his flow is unparalleled as usual. His beats lack depth and the organic feel they had pre-The Sickness(album),Which has more to do with the producer Evidence (of Dilated Peoples) than with the artist. However, he could have been more discriminating in choosing them. His lyrics are also progressively leaning more toward gangsta bravado, which I like to a certain extent as long as it's not compromising the quality of the music.

All that being said, go cop The Grand Opening, Still in training etc. to form an accurate opinion of this artist and his potential.

If "The Medicine" is not a 5 star album, then its freakin close. Take it from me, I can't stand mainstream music, and this album is definitely not that. First of all, Planet's lyrical flow is old school...tight and fluid. Secondly, most of the tracks are just plain blazin and rugged. Kinda reminds me of Brand Nubians meeting Alcoholics, but with a slammin contemporary non-radio sound. Listen, I live in the north-east coast, so I rarely listen to Planet Asia, Cali Agents, or any west coast music for that matter. But the combination of Planet's flow and rugged beats on "The Medicine" have kept this cd heavily in my rotation for the last 2 months and counting. Trust me, do yourself a favor bruh, and cop this cd.

I always get excited when I discover new artists. It's the equivalent of winning a prize (well, a prize you pay for).

I love anything from DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill and I enjoyed the album he produced for Planet Asia "Pain Language." So I decided to check out Asia's back-catalog, beginning with this album (even though Muggs has nothing to do with this joint). Evidence of Dilated Peoples created the beats, and Asia, as cool and as clever as DJ Quik, brings us what we want: pure, West Coast hip-hop.

Believe me: Asia delivers on every single, amazing track. Still, as good as the production sounds, I prefer the production on "Pain Language." (Perhaps this will grow on me.) Also, the guest MCs are talented too.

This album is worth a listen (especially if you're sick of the bulls--- on the radio).

If you liked "Pain Language" from Muggs and Asia, you might enjoy "The Medicine."

Planet Asia has been a foundation of the West Coast underground movement for years, and has been one of my favorite below-the-radar emcees based on his rhymes, and flow alone; however, PA hasn't really released the classic album I know he's capable of yet. Grand Opening suffered from poor production, as did the majority of his albums that followed; the Medicine is the exception. The production, handled almost exclusively by Evidence with some guest producer-spots, is the best soundscape Asia's had to work with in his career thus far.

Planet Asia is one of the most talented pure emcees in the game, yet he never really establishes himself as the God emcee that his talents show he's capable of. Part of that may have to do with his limited subject matter; Planet Asia is almost strictly street-tales, and braggodocious boasts. His entire approach is almost punchlines; and while PA is definitely a very flexible emcee, he never really pushes himself. In other words, it's rather hard to get connected with Asia; he isn't breaking any new ground. He's solid, yes, but no new concepts are being introduced in his work that are going to influence future emcees, and he's basically saying the same thing every other cat in the underground is spitting.

Still, hip-hop isn't always about being revolutionary; sometimes, you just want some of the same thing you've been hearing, as long as it's delivered in a satisfying manner. Planet Asia spits the same thing cats like Juelz Santana are at the moment, yet he does it in a manner that will make a fan out of you. The malevolent, and boastful subject matter is definitely familiar territory, but Asia manages to handle it with enough flair to keep you listening.

Asia could still benefit from a producer more suited to his flow(DJ Muggs, perhaps?), but Evidence does a more than substantial job in his role, and Planet Asia continues providing the heat. The Medicine won't blow your mind, but it certainly isn't a weak offering; let's just hope it's a sign of better things to come from Planet Asia.

planet asia can spit....i recomend this album hes a real westcoast underground hip hop artist