The Rebel Yell: Love & War
The Rebel Yell: Love & War
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Friday, 28, Aug 2009 11:22
Rapster Records, August 31st 2009 .
In a nutshell...
Thought-provoking, funktastic, compelling, political, long
What's it all about?
The album is about a range of different issues. The main topics are love and human rights, and all this is covered in around 13 songs. The album starts off with a slow love song and then picks up the pace with songs such as Save the Children, concerning the perils of war and violence. The artist breaks into song sporadically and at times the LP's reminiscent of a mellow pop record rather than hip-hop or R 'n' B.
What the others say
"This is socially conscious phuture-funk, dense with ideas and allusions, and although it's not all good, and there are synth riffs here in search of proper songs, it's well worth investigating." - Paul Lester, Guardian
"You can't categorise this album - it's simply misfit R 'n' B, taking a stand against black music stereotypes and life's clichés too, a rebel yell against uniformity and rulebooks. It's accessible, it has a commercial edge and, like the Neptunes and Timbaland before it, takes risks with the confidence to know that people everywhere will sing along." - Swellmusic.co.uk
So is it any good?
This album has potential. Although unbearably commercial and somewhat tacky in places, the political tone of the album gives it a serious undercurrent. I doubt if I would part with a tenner for it in HMV just yet but there are definitely a fair few worthwhile songs on it, which quickly grab attention. This album would be appreciated by anyone who is in the mood for a contemporary and somewhat urgent commentary on real life issues. To his credit however, he does shy away from the stereotypical gangster rap scenario which is all too prevalent among many of today's R 'n' B artists. In many ways it does not live up to my expectations of a commercial hip-hop album. And thank goodness. Although not exactly groundbreaking, it is alternative enough to make it big, but is still in need of a little extra push to convince the hardened sceptics out there.
6/10
Janine Griffiths