The Carolina Inquirer talks to Ro Jackson & Chico Suavay in North Charlotte

The Carolina Inquirer talks to rappers Ro Jackson and Chico Suavay in North Charlotte about their products, latest mixtapes, being "Onna Clock", what they are rapping about and more!

Album Points: Tyler The Creator WOLF

ALBUM POINTS: TYLER THE CREATOR, WOLF
(by Cody Blevins)

           As a now major cultural success, Wolf Haley, Tyler, or whatever moniker seems to be giving less of a shit. Whether it is destroying award show glamor, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djv1XkoswRQ
or being straight edge, to slumming dope binge phrasing, I'm still impressed with the album.
Why? It could have been a disaster that's why. A skyscraper tall sense of self, and a large lump sum of angry “everything I say matters” teen demographics, could have resulted in the album that was lukewarm before it even got served.


1. I'm Impressed:
Here is the conundrum, as absolutely over the top and unfinished WOLF seems on the outset, at no point do you ever suspend disbelief, The tracks are ramshackle pieces of soul scum, cut up hip hop pieces, and worked over psyche rap hooks holding together the frayed lines, schizo fast brain jumping, and Eminem-lite phrasing. This leads into my next point.


2. I'm Unimpressed:
I'm going to play the “Yonkers” card, it is hard to follow. End of discussion. Coming off the starlit ride of the fame after Goblin, TV shows, and a gained sense of self awareness that only somebody in his position would know, the lyrics just fall short. Most of it is self deprecating, most of it is faux-anger towards outside bodies hating his fame, his homophobic lyrics, or his work ethic. I see peaks of lyrical depth talking about his sister who he took care of, or the fans who want to believe the anger and adrenaline rush of his former work. It comes out a wash, mud.


3. Beauty and the Beats:
This album is a great step up in audio quality from “Goblin”, However that isn't saying much, the ODD FUTURE collective are not a collective of super strict obsessed audiophiles, and that is a good thing, because the beats are intriguing and enthralling, despite their ripped and torn nature.
Wolf is meant to be enjoyed by a new enthralled generation of everything at once listeners. This approach is appropriate, somethings stick, others don't.

Ducktails: The Flower Lane - (Review)

 

 

 

·         Ducktails: The Flower Lane-

            Ducktails is a band forged out of figure head/frontman Matthew Mondanile's fairly prolific and expansive take on spaced out voyages, pop romanticism, tropical swaying, and even prog rock tendencies.  The latter is especially important when considering his latest output under the Ducktails name, The Flower Lane. At first it bounces like a casual Cure-esque take on 90's fuzzed out pop mannerisms (not to be confused with the late 00's somewhat dreary overly muddled take on garage/dreamy melodies that either rocked and partied too hard or became a sleeping tablet) Until the track “Under Cover” which delivers a progression so vibrant, and Robert Fripp like, that it jars you out of the gauze and complacent heaven the first two tracks bring (the title track is especially heavenly).

            Luckily, the pleasant experimentation doesn't stop there, like the spy/noir opening guitars and piano stabs on “Timothy Shy” that feels like a one up on Crystal Skulls sound, or “Letter Of Intent” that makes you feel as if you've just entered sultry disco club with a siren signing through morphine and shards of light.  Hardly a track is amiss here, still songs like; “Assistant Director” and “International Date Line” do tend to feel a little listless and lack the in the execution and completion when stacked up with the rest of the album. Small digs aside. wonderful album for anyone even remotely interested in melody and euphoria.

Rating: 4/5

By Cody Blevins

Olatunji Mason Speaks

Producer / Songwriter Olatunji Mason (who has worked with Shabba Ranks, Blaq Planet, Krumb Snatcha and more) talks to the Carolina Inquirer about his move to Charlotte, NC and the music scene in North Carolina. Listen to what he has to say.