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Lyrical Storm (Sonic, 2000) The good news is that this isn't a one-rhythm album. The bad news is that it's a two-rhythm album. However, the best news is that it's still a good album. Fans of cultural dancehall should certainly enjoy Lyrical Storm, as the title reflects the conscious, positive lyrics that flow through it. Tracks 1 through 9 feature the "Talk Is Cheap" rhythm, an organ-driven rootsy dancheall beat perfectly suited to the likes of Yami Bolo, Triston Palmer, Rolex (AKA Alpha Rowen), and Paul Elliot, who all provide choice cuts. For those who prefer a harder edge, Lyrical Storm picks up on tracks 10 through 17, which ride the "Tempo" rhythm, a bass-heavy beat similar to the classic "Bam Bam." Luciano and Mikey General contribute solid numbers, but lesser-known artists like "sing-jay" Natual Black and singers Prilly Hamilton -- who tells a poignant and soulful tale of an abusive relationship in "Bun fi Bun" -- newcomer Jah Cure, and Rolex -- who gives a clever, sarcastic "Thank You" to the wicked powers that be -- truly shine, foreshadowing a bright future for cultural dancehall (particularly Rolex, who also contributed two excellent songs on the compilation Reggae Hits '99). Lyrical Storm, at its height, becomes so enjoyable that you forget that it only has two riddims -- admirable, but I still can't bring myself to give it a really high rating, due to the unoriginality of recycling music. Note: although Sonic Sounds has improved its packaging (slightly) on this album, the label's cheapness is nonetheless evident in the muted sound quality. |
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