Customer Reviews

Sin-A-Matic

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're as disgusted with artists such as Ja Rule, Fabulous, Killer Mike and recently, even Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, and Black Eyed Peas, who insult consumers by putting out an album with 1 or 2 above-average songs, and litter the rest of it with incessant, mindless [songs], look no further. Louis Logic, after releasing two ultra successful homemade albums, comes crazy correct on his forst official release, with what, in my opinion, is the best hip hop album of the last few years.

All he does over the course of 18 tracks is make you laugh out loud at his tremendously witty lyrics, force you to question your viewpoint on societal and racial quality, offer cinematic masterpieces on par with the genre's greatest storytellers, amaze you with his delivery, cadence, vocabulary, and breath control, offend you so brilliantly you can't help but enjoy it, and keep your head nodding for a full 60 minutes like so few albums do these days. But most importantly, using an inherent skill that so few hip hop artists can master (Eminem, Outkast, J-Live come to mind), he does so within the context of well constructed and crafted, catchy without being corny, "you-can't-help-but-sing-along-with-the-hook" [b]songs[/b]. In other words, the "Drunken Dragon" simply knows how to make goooood music.

There are no forgettable songs on Sin-A-Matic, and a good reason for that is that they are mainly conceptual in nature. And like I said previously, if you're tired of most mainstream hip hop, that's damn good thing. "Postal" examines the average cat's mundane and repetitive workday, and what happens when that stress carries you a little too far, "Best Friends" / "Revenge" recount a friendship torn apart and the subsequent reaction, "Freak Show" takes the listener on a journey into what we should deathly afraid of- Suburbia, and "Idiot Gear" examines how a simple question about an ex can damage an otherwise healthy relationship.

Although cuts such as "Coochie Coup", a hilarious tribute to Louis' love of females and their anatomy, "The Ugly Truth", a scathing, tongue-lashing, eye-popping discussion of race in America, and "The Rest", another ode to female companions, may offend some, Lou spits with such confidence, wit, and intelligence, that you can't resist smirking at his brilliance. Combine the phrases shock value, ultra accessible, and damn good hip hop, and you'll know what I mean.

The beats on the LP are jazzafunked, clean as Windex, and just downright banging. From the double-time keyboards on the deceptively playful-sounding "Mischievous", to the cinematic strings on "Dos Factotum" (a clever re-working/sequel to LL's huge underground hit "Factotum"), all the way to the sampled computer effects and tech feel of "Fair Weather Fan", this is as well-produced a record as you'll hear in hip hop nowadays.

As a knowledgable and discerning hip hop music listener, I have grown extremely tired with the vast majority of today's popular hip hop music, and purchase only a dozen or so records a year. I have two copies of Sin-A-Matic. Don't sleep.

The first time I ever heard Louis Logic spit was on an underground rap station on Rhapsody radio. The song was called "Freak Show" (which is on this album). I wasn't really paying that much attention to the songs being played, but this one caught my attention. I loved it for it's crazy stories and sick lyrics. After hearing this song I went searching for more Louis Logic. I found he had only one album out at the time, this one, called "Sin-A-Matic". (This album was very hard to find though, I had to go Tower Records, which is nowhere near where I live, to get it). But it was worth my travel and my twenty dollars I spent on it. Louis has some crazy flows, along with ill punchlines and wordplay, all brought forth on his debut release. Logic's style is rather comical, as his lyrics are offensive, funny, and definitely not for young kids. All these tracks flow well together, and there isn't a single one that Logic didn't give it his all on, making this record one of the most slept-on gems of the past few years. Since this, he's released "Misery Loves Comedy", his sophomore album, which dropped just this past release (and just like with this album, you can't find it anywhere!).

After the "sintro", the first track is "Street Smarts". This is a solid and true first cut about how most industry rappers just mostly lie in their raps and never even thought of killing someone, and wouldn't survive for an hour living on the streets. Then the next track is "Freak Show". This track is straight up crazy, showing the twistid and perverted side of some people and their actions in the funnest way possible. "Diablos" has a memorable collaboration with Celph Titled. It's a battle type track with an angry Louis and Celph ripping the beat to pieces. The punchlines are ill. "Coochie Coup" is a hilarious song about, well, you know what. It would probably offend some women but I just find it to be funny. "Postal" is a song I'm sure everyone who's had trouble dealing with their regular day-jobs can relate to. You know, when you're just get tired of having a 9 to 5 and your boss won't get off your case, and you're just ready to bust? This track captures that perfectly. "Halfway Stretch", or the "sinterlude", proves that Louis can even spit well on interludes, so it's not just a pointless track thrown in. You won't be skipping this cut at all.

After the sinterlude, the next song is "Best Friends" with Apathy, the first song in a two-part story. Louis gives a call to Ap, asking him if he'll watch over his girl while he's doing his last show on tour. Ap agrees, but when Louis calls back to check on things, he realizes that maybe he made a mistake by having Apathy watch over things. When you go into the next track, called "Revenge!", featuring Celph Titled, you have three guys, Louis, Celph, and some other guy plotting to get Ap back. But even then, when they carry it out, their plans backfire on them. I love these two tracks, they make for a great listen. "Fair Weather Fan" has Louis rapping about being underground or going independent, and how some critics hate no matter how dope of an MC you are. "The Ugly Truth" may confuse some people, as it seems like he's rapping from his point of view, but he's really not (you'll find out who he's pretending to be at the end, and it'll all make sense then). "Idiot Gear" is another relatable track that I'm sure guys will find true. He has a crazy flow on this one. "Dust to Dust" closes the album nicely, the first part has Louis telling a story and then there's a hidden track.

Alot of people compare Logic's style to an earlier Eminem. This is evident in his track "Mischevious", about how he may get people to "slit their wrists" and how his records should be kept from kids, which sounds just like some older songs of Em's where he talks about the same things, where people blame his music for people cutting their wrists and doing the wrong things because they heard it in his song. Logic can also be compared to Em because of his comical songs and how many of his songs are not serious, just like Em earlier in his career. I think that if people would just enjoy Logic's music for what it is, and not worry about the similarities he holds with Eminem, things would be a lot better for Logic and his career. This is really great music and an almost classic album and just because he may sound like Eminem at times doesn't mean this deserves less stars than 5.

So if you're into more underground Hip-Hop and not all the mainstream, commercialized rap, then pick this up (if you can find it). Then go ahead and pick up his latest, too. This album is near perfect in every sense: his flows are on point, the lyrics are nice, and the beats, handled mostly by J.J. Brown, are good as well, with other production by The Avid Record Collector, Celph Titled, Cimer Amor, Memo, and King Honey. Louis keeps his guests to a minimum, with only Apathy and Celph making appearences (stellar appearences), proving that he can hold it down on his own on the mic. This album has great track after great track. He made me a fan for life with this one.

Everyone seems to be worried that Sin-A-Matic will draw too many comparisons to Eminem, but truth is, this is a good thing. Love him or hate him, Eminem is the most interesting thing in hip hop and pop music in years. Em and Louis Logic are seperate people (Louis isn't is a carbon copy clone) but Louis Logic has very dark sense of humor, he's offensive, possesses complex flow and incredible charsima like Em.

I remember hearing Louis Logic on Jedi Mind Trick's classic "Violent By Design" but wasn't terribly impressed. I then happened to stumble onto a hip hop site, Artofrhyme and noticed his CD got a massively huge review. I listened to a few preview tracks and was hooked. I instantly headed to Amazon to order the CD.

Louis Logic's CD exceeded all my expectations (its the first 5 star Amazon review I've written), this is one of those rare CDs with no filler material. Each track is note worthy and worth mentioning but the stand outs are the completely infectious "Street Smarts" where Louis asserts himself over a thumping harp driven track. "Idiot Gear" cleverly discusses the delicate male ego when it comes to a girlfriend's past sex life. Also "The Rest" is Louis's playful love ballet with a humor twist.

A lot of credit goes out to his buddies JJ Brown and Celph Titled for lacing the CD with a consant soundscape that is unique and often purposely cheeky vibe. Then, Louis Logic blesses every track with clever, humorous, thoughtful, and completely down right offensive lyrics. Louis is on point on every track, with an immaculate flow that changes song to song to fit the mood. It just feels right.

I've sorta forced this CD on all my friends, but all of them seem pretty quick to the uptake, each finding there own favorite tracks. Most have commented that they can't believe he's underground and with a CD like this, he might finally get the exposure he deserves.

If you like hip hop or rap, commercial or underground then this should be absolutely at the top of your list. Its a true gem.

I know that this CD won't appeal to everyone...this obviously isn't a "bling bling" gangsta thug record, so if 50 Cent is your favorite new artist, please move on. But for those of you out there that have higher standards for what Hip Hop should sound like and have been disappointed with 90% of the trash being released, this may just be the release for you.

Let me just start off by saying that Louis Logic's flow is absolutely perfect...very complex & mesmerizing. It's one of those albums that you can hear a few times & know it sounds great, but the intricacy of his rhyming does not reveal itself until you closely study the verses. Kind of like "Violent By Design", where you catch something new that amazes you everytime you hear it. The reviewer below me drew a parallel to early Eminem, which is actually a pretty decent comparison. But let's just say that this is what Eminem would have sounded like on his best day (if he stayed underground). This CD ranges from a couple "battle" tracks, sex songs, drinking songs, amusing skits/songs...and even with this wide range of topics, it all blends seemlessly into a masterpiece of a record that I suspect may just be hailed as one of the best underground CDs in a few years.

To be honest, there's not too much I can say here to do this CD justice. It's unlike anything you've ever heard, and worth every penny that you pay for it. I would recommend this to fans of early Eminem, Jedi Mind Tricks & Demigodz. Give this a chance and listen to what Hip Hop has the potential to be...it's a shame this type of music isn't the standard in the mainstream.
Standout tracks include:
Street Smartz
Diablos
Dos Factotum
Best Friends
Revenge
Idiot Gear
(but don't get me wrong, there isn't even one weak track on here)

Buy this album! Many people will liken Louis to Eminem. I can see shades of that. But, Louis is his own man. Sure, he has some really dope, amusement part sounding production, especially on "Mischivious" which could have been an Em track. "I'm mischivious/I make people wanna slit their wrists" That's the hook. The lyrics on it are especially funny, well they will be disrespectful to a lot, and even sick to some. But, that is his style. If you're easily offended then you'll probably be best of staying away from this album. I feel he really comes with an insane ammout of quality Punchlines. But Louis isn't just fun and games. He has some real slick concept joints, and he shows us a few times just how deep he can get. He is one of the new cats from the underground emcees world who really deserves to get some shine. I feel with the right promotion he could be big in the mainstream. This album isn't pop at all, but then again neither was EM's first, and look where he is now.

There are so many extremely capable rappers out there, that don't have the recognition (or Record Deal)they deserve....but are highly talented. And then there are Rappers like "Louis Logic" that deserve a far bigger audience for not only being at the top of the pile lyrically, but has the unique ability to be extremely funny as well...(much like "Edan"). Case in Point "Postal" refers to be stuck in a dead end job, and being driven to going on a shooting spree. "Best Friends" is a telephone conversation between two friends about looking after a guys girlfriend. Yet it's not all witty responses & complex wordplay "Diablos" is as fierce a progressive rap track as any I've heard in the last year, with such hostile lyrics as: "..We'll lift up your f**king skirt, and see what kind of man you are???...Throw you out the window, and see how f**king FLY you are!!!", and with the whole album coupled with some of the most innovative production in the last few years, Louis has made a debut as impressive as any of Hip-Hop/Rap's heavyweights.

Please do yourself a favor and listen to this guy. Louis can flow like no other, listen to "The Ugly Truth" or "Idiot Gear" and you'll be hooked.

This guy is special. There are very few that can do what he does with his rhyme schemes, multis, and creativity. If you are unsure about the album listen to "Idiot Gear" and "The Ugly Truth." You will not be dissapointed.

Alas, with constant comparisons to Eminem, Louis Logic may never hear the major lables beckoning as his talent would merit. Along with Atlantic records signee Apathy (who, disparringly, gets killed after only one guest appearance on this album) and a swarm of other New England underground talents wreckedshop 2000 leagues under the streets the past few years as the collective the Demigodz, Louis always stood apart from the 7 or 8 other members of the crew. As shown on this album, his concepts set him apart from his (albeit WHOLLY TALENTED) counterparts. His "sick" sense of humor is completely Eminem from Infinite (back in '96, when he still had a smile when he kicked his similes and metaphors, as opposed to the scowl that now creeps across his face while spitting his best lines), but Logic's concepts are that of the Marshall Mathers LP (peep The Ugly Truth and Fair Weather Fan). The result: a dope and cohesive lp. However, just as Logic gets constantly compared to Em in a good light, it's possibly the only downside to this lp, Logic's INCREDIBLE word manipulation might be better spent if he furthered himself from the trendy rapid fire theatrics kicked by his fellow Demigodz (check Mischevious for Logic's ludicris bounce flow), and perhaps spread himself out a little bit. The beats (mostly from J.J. Brown, and out-of-sight up-and-comer that I haven't heard a bad beat from yet, and Logic's partner in cRhyme, the often under-rated beat/word-smith Celph Titled) are major lable budget worthy, definitely form fitting with Louis. However, if Louis ever wants to stand apart, he's going to have to do it soon (just ask Hom, once The Source's unsigned hype, then stimulated dummies' top prospect, now a a rain drop in the ocean of mc's trying to get on...why? mainly because he sounded like a black eminem)...because this kind of music deserves to be heard, let's just hope he's found his own voice by then.

Which isn't to say this isn't the best hip-hop cd in a few years (because it probably is), but with this much talent, it's hard to hear him squander himself like this.

Anyway, overall, a completely bangin' cd, not a skippable track among the bunch, and a dope bonus song to boot. A must have for any rap afficionado (real or otherwise)!

Sadly, Louis Logic is one of the most slept on hip hop artist in the game, but he's finally getting a proper release on solid records. I love listening to this cat flow, because he's sick w/ punchlines, has a solid voice and raps about everday s#$t that most people can relate to. Plus his sidekick/ producer JJ Brown comes correct on every track. If you're into hip hop at all, regardless of commercial or underground, i can't understand why you wouldn't be feelin this album, dope beats top notch flows, what more can you ask for?