Customer Reviews

Soundvision: In Stereo

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With the influx of weak mainstream artist albums that have been steady for the past few years, this is refreshing. Lawless Element are from the Detroit area and sound like a harder version of Slum Village. They really have their own sound and it is really good. If you like true hiphop with jazzy boom bap sounds then pick this album up. You can play the whole album all the way through which is a rarity in today's rap. Lawless Element are truly musical and their sound is that of 1990's hip-hop and it's golden era. Good choice.

I was amped (as I always am with a new album) when I copped this and must say I haven't been disappointed. In general it's a solid release however I didn't feel the boys of L.E. pulled it off completely. I've read reviews comparing them to a 'poor mans Slum Village' and in many ways upon hearing this album I tend to agree. It's no secret that J.Dilla has had a hand in these guys and where they are now and I think maybe they've tried to wear their influences on their proverbial sleaves to much. This said nothing should be taken from Griot & Magnif because they come good and strong be it on harder hitting joints like high, or something more soulful like one night. It's just they haven't truelly found their feet yet however seeing this is their first album release they've got time on there side.

***1/2

One.

Pj.

This hip hop duo is doing their own thing and that so happens to be producing some high quality tracks. Lyrical depth and fresh beats fill this twelve track album. "Crew" is a prime example of their story telling abilities, funky beats and reiterates the significance of having your entourage. The introduction of a heavenly voice from Melanie Rutherford on top of blissful rolling keyboarding tactic makes "One Night" stand out in a major way. Furious rhyming skills and a hypnotic beat with some wild electronic sounds are presented on "...Something (remix)" making it a scorcher. They take underground hip hop to the next level on this joint. Definitely not an album for those of you seeking a top 40 hip hop sound.

Im completely addicted to this album , its easily one of the best releases of a great year in 2005 . The production flows very beautifly and is mostly done by Magnif of Lawless Element , the lyrics are also dope but not as good as the beats , but the delivery and cadence of the rhymes are remarkable. It has some of undergrounds finest featured on this album , but its quite clear this is not a release for the average narrow minded underground fan , it has variety and enough skill to crossover to mainstream without even trying . I would say to any fan of good music pick this up.

Michigan's Motor City has no shortage of rap talent and on their debut album producer/MC Magnif and MC Griot contribute 12 songs in the key of that stereotype. Their aesthetic is pure '90s throwback to the boom-bap, delivering an airy sound bursting with the sound of soul. Beats are this disc's strong point; Magnif hugs the curves of golden era hip-hop, simultaneously flirting with De La Soul, early Slum Village and Pete Rock (minus the horns). The lyrics hold their own, They're about riding the laidback rhythms on cruise control, representing Detroit with a tasty collection of tracks.

One of the best albums to come out on the independent scene in a very long time . This album is crafted beautifly to reach all music fans from backpackers , to your average TRL fan . It accomplishes what almost every other artist tries to in reaching so many different types people , kinda like the way Kanye West does it , but with a whole different sound. I vision nothing short of greatness for this Detroit based duo , its only a matter of time , talent like this cant be held back.

Lawless Element comes through with an excellent debut , I love Soundvision from start to finish . This album covers all types of different music styles and still amazingly stays consistent.The production is the standout on this lp , it hits very hard but still remains smooth , guest spots from Melanie Rutherford is also another strongpoint as she lends her beautiful vocals to the Magnif produced "Move" and "One Night" . I would say this is a great buy for any music fan , Lawless Element is gonna be huge and their still very young , already well beyond their years , vision it from the start

lawless element...I must say that babygrande has fallen off in the last couple years...in an attempt to get some jazzy stuff on the label as opposed to the homo-bashing done on jmt and outerspace releases, the lawless kids do come correct on the production end...lyrics are nothing short of standard hood rap which can be found on any mainstream release these days...honestly, the production at times can outweigh the pointless flows...dilla does one beat and madlib contributes a couple beats to clean out his hard drive...this cd is something you would have as background music, not as something you would have all ears on...all in all, the cd is a decent release...I payed 4 bucks for it used...if you find it for a reasonable price, grab it, because it isnt horrible, but it isnt going to be in heavy rotation either.

Lyrics: C-

Beats: B+

Overall: C

Well first of all the influence of Magnif, J. Dilla and the Detroit are definately obvious and I think this project primarily is attempting to establish their presense, through name recognition, which in this era of the rap game is kinda played. I agree with some of the reviewers in reference to the production which is impressive and a 90's style formula; however, the lyrical content could use more substance and introspect. Maybe the next installment will be more informative, educational.

1.Soundvision-Production 5 Lyrics 3.5

2.Crew-Production 4 Lyrics 3

3.The Shining- Production 5 Lyrics 4

4.One Night- Production 5 Lyrics 4+

5.Rules- Production 4 Lyrics 5

6.Represent/Motown- Production 5 Lyrics 5 Love this joint

7.Love Dilla-Production 4 Lyrics 3+

8.Words from Dilla-Production 5 Lyrics 5 Love this joint interlude

9.High Production Madlib 5 Lyrics 3+ Love this joint

10.Something Production 5 Lyrics 5 feature Diverse of course his verse is prolific

11.Move Production 5 Lyrics & concept 5, R & B influence Melanie Rutherford

12.Higher Production 5 & Lyrics 3+

Okay, I'm reading these reviews and I'm listening to this album at the same time. I'm wondering if these other reviewers have some sort of alternate version with different emcees or something.

I say this because:

The 1st review says you can play this album all the way through, yet I find my self skipping track after track.

The 2nd review says this album is "short, hot, and to the point kinda like Nas' Illmatic was". I think we all know better, but I humored the guy and I still didn't hear anything to validate that statement. I heard the exact opposite, actually. He also name drops Madlib and J. Dilla....J. Dilla does one track....Madlib only does two. The rest of the album is all Magnif's work.

The 3rd reviewer says "This album covers all types of different music styles". What I'm hearing sounds exactly like Magnif handled most of the beats.

The 4th reviewer says that this is "One of the best albums to come out on the independent scene in a very long time". I couldn't disagree more. He should check out that Blue Scholars LP. This album sounds like mainstream rap that was released on an independent label in my humble opinion.

The only accurate review is the 5th one.

With all that being said, let me get to my review. I feel like folks are trying to give these guys credit that they haven't earned yet. From the very first track all the way through to the last one, I hear the same elementary rhymes over and over again. The beats are tight and I think that's what the other reviewers are judging this by. The two emcees aren't saying anything new. The production is on point, but the rhymes need work. I'm hearing "my crew is thick, we ride on rims, you don't wanna see us, we big time and you ain't" type rhymes. They could benefit hugely by upgrading their lyrical content.

The lone bright spot is Magnif's production. He does a good job of crafting mellow, jazzy beats that will keep your head nodding. Also, on "The Shining" Magnif and Gee actually put some decent lyrics down to make it one of the best songs on the album. Of the twelve joints on the album, I'd say four are worth hearing.

Call me old school or call me crazy, but when I buy an album, I expect dope beats and dope rhymes......not one or the other. The fact is these two guys have a long way to go. They have a great deal of potential, but said potential didn't materialize on this album. Maybe they'll hit a home run on their next album, but this particular album just didn't do anything for this listener. If I'm going to be honest, I have to recommend passing on this or checking it out at your own risk.

Standout Tracks: Higher, Love feat. J. Dilla, The Shining, Move feat. Melanie Rutherford, and High