Customer Reviews

Smoke & Mirrors

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album was much better than I expected. I won't give it five stars because there's a few too many songs, but it's still one of my favorites from this year.
Hell he carried 17 whole tracks and didn't even need a guest artist. Look out for this guy Mike Loe, the beats are absolutely incredible. The disc wouldn't have had the same impact without Mike Loe. He truly laid the framework for the revival of OC's career right here. I like this one better than "Word...Life" in fact. I think these type of beats suit him better, and OC truly has found his footing as an artist.
Introspective tracks like "Distortion" and "Emotions" are great, and "My Way" is a gem for an upbeat song. Some other favorites were "Challenge Y'all," "You Made Me," "I'm Da Boss"...hell I put 13 of the tracks on my Creative MP3 player! The outro was one of the longest wastes-of-time, and a couple songs were underwhelming, but that's all I can gripe about. This cd didn't leave my car deck for weeks, and OC is officially one of my favorite MC's now. That should tell you all you need to know right there. "I promise y'all, I challenge y'all."...

Too often a golden-age artist will come back with a lackluster album that seems forced and confused, but with OC's Smoke and Mirrors, this is not the case. It sounds cliché, but dude really hasn't missed a step at all with the same laidback flow, sincere voice and thought-provoking lyrics. Mike Lowe handles the productions and comes real buttery for all but one of the 17 tracks. OC's position as a veteran who has been through the industry woes gives this album a mature, grown man's perspective, from street tales to life advice and precautions. For the first time in his career he has complete artistic freedom, thanks to Hiero Imperium, and it shows. Don't sleep!!!

- Double Dipped
Synthesis.net

This OC's rawest effort since "Jewels", but slightly different in its attempt to address issues rarely touched upon by the majority of artists. OC's flow is as rough as it's always been, but the beats illuminate his flow and elevate the album to great heights.

The talent is not a question.

After 4 years since his disappointing 3rd solo "Bon Appetit" (which I'd say is worth 3.5 stars), O.C. returns with his 4th solo, and my favorite of his 4 (I'd Give "Word...Life" & "Jewelz" both a 4.5 star rating). This one has 16 songs, 2 of those are classics, 2 I'd say are almost a classics, and the remianing 12 are all good, no bad or even ok songs on hrere, all are worth listening to. No guest appearances, just all O.C. on here, and he does a nice job holding it down. Production is very nice as well. Mike Loe produces all of the songs except one, which Fyre Dept. does. Though he isn't that well known, and may have been overshadowed (at least mainstream wise) by some of his D.I.T.C. crew (Big L, Fat Joe, Lord Finesse), he definitely can hold his own and is on par with any other rapper out, and he's been putting albums out since 1994, so he has some longevity in the game, just wish he got a little more recognition cause he deserves it. A must have album to have in your collection.

#1 - 9 (nice beat, but he only raps for about 30 sec., good for the intro)
#2 - 8.5
#3 - 10 (CLASSIC -- great beat)
#4 - 9 (nice M.O.P sample used on the beat)
#5 - 9 (nice beat)
#6 - 10 (CLASSIC -- great beat)
#7 - 8.5
#9 - 9 (nice beat)
#10 - 9 (nice beat)
#11 - 9.5 (tight beat)
#12 - 9.5 (another tight beat)
#13 - 9 (good beat)
#14 - 8.5
#15 - 8.5
#16 - 8
#17 - 9

Omar Credle -- b. 5/13/71 -- b. Queens, NY moved to Brooklyn, NY
Check all my reviews

Always liked OC...one of the best mc's in live performance. This record is surprisingly Good. Like most albums, it's a little too long, with some nondescript songs..but what's Good is Very Good! Recommended!

O.C. has a resume that is certifiably impossible to live up to, and understandably, he doesn't really manage to do so with this record. The disc isn't bad, but when compared to either of his first two releases, it sort of fades into the background. There are only a couple of tracks that could be considered for radio release, and most of the album is spent ruminating on various and sundry inequities and inadequacies in the music industry, which, for underground fans, could start to drag a little at this point. For fans, I would certainly recommend this without hesitation, but for newcomers, Jewelz is probably a better place to start.

I just got this album and was glad it's as good as it is.It sounds like O.C was mad at the whole game while rcording this with ruthless tracks like "You Made Me"

anywayz i gotte be out so i'll just give you the best 6 tracks though it's hard to

1.Going nowhere
2.You made me
3.I'm da boss
4.Emotions
5.The good the bad and the ugly
6.Brothers keeper

What a return to form for O.C. First he drops the brilliant "starchild" that proves "bon apetit" was just a speed bump in his career now he capitalised+solidified his status as underground legend once more with this amazing album. The most startling point is that it all seemed to fit into place with 1 very easy step, change of producers. With no D.I.T.C. (or wildlife as they're known nowadays) members anywhere in sight on either album he's seemed to be rejuvenated and up the ante to anyone trying to take his spot. Make no mistake this is O.C's best work for years. With tracks like "you made me", "my way", "martyr", "the good, the bad, the ugly", "im da boss", "challenge yall" (my favourite), "guns+butter", "what i need" and "this is me" we are treated to all sides to O.C.'s vocal repatoire. His barotone battle hardened delivery pulls no punches as he rides on each beat like it was his last chance to shine+prove himself to the hiphop masses. On tracks like "emotions", "distortion", "going nowhere", "gone", "brothers keeper" and "shorty" you're treated to the more insightful, deeper almost sensitive side of the man. Filled with narratives, battle rhymes, street anthems and even 2 or 3 joints that wouldnt sound out of place in a club this is definitely worth adding to every real hiphop fans collection. Top drawer quality!!

this album is solid. its not as good as jewelz, or word life but it is a solid album nonetheless

WOW
first of all what a treat! First O.C. drops Starchild import only Lp which was straight heat and not even 5 months later another brand spankin new album! Completely produced by Mike Loe , O.C. continues his elite lyrical skill on this lp from his rebirth (not to say bon appetit was weak but compared to his first 2 lp's it was weak) on his import only starchild album straight fire lyrics but instead of over soul beats more electrontic and hype melody type beats that really are complimenting to O when hes angry!!! Which on the majority of the Lp he is! A definate must own it looks like O.C. has started the re-up of the best group of all time D.I.T.C. 2 Lp's , Show droped an Lp , now there all recording solo's (finesse ,a.g.,diamond) and now there on a tour november and then recording a LONG awaited EP!