Benny the Butcher – “Everybody Can’t Go” review

Buffalo emcee Benny the Butcher ending the first month of 2024 by releasing his 4th full-length LP & major label debut under Def Jam Recordings. Being in the game for 2 decades already, it wouldn’t be until 2016 where he alongside his cousins Westside Gunn & Conway the Machine would take the culture by storm off projects like Tana Talk 3 & The Plugs I Met. Harry Fraud came in for a sequel to the latter following the mature Burden of Proof & finally, Tana Talk 4 took it back to the basement a couple years back. But for the butcher’s Def Jam opus, he’s having Hit-Boy produce half of it & leaving the other half to The Alchemist.

“Jermaine’s Graduation” sets the tone of what’s to come with a luxurious instrumental explaining that he doesn’t need a trophy because he is the trophy whereas “Bron” goes into a triumphant boom bap direction likening himself as the LeBron James of this rap shit. “Big Dog” featuring Lil Wayne works in this reversed loop talking about being too dogs, but then the title track featuring Kyle Banks on the hook giving back to the game accompanied by a soul sample & some kicks & snares.

Meanwhile, “T.M.V.T.L. (Trust More Valuable Than Love)” has some dynamic production throughout expressing the importance of trust over love just before “Back Again” returns to the boom bap with additional vocals from WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg talking about being gangstas. “1 Foot In” featuring Stove God Cook$ starts the 2nd leg of the album admitting he was a foot out the game after that freestyle with Funkmaster Flex over a hard-hitting beat leading into “Buffalo Kitchen Club” featuring Armani Caesar blending these piano chords & hi-hats together reminding that nobody fucking with them.

“Pillow Talk & Slander” featuring Babyface Ray & Jadakiss sees the trio telling their older selves to watch out for these hoes over a rich trap instrumental while “How to Rap” takes it back to the basement showing everyone how it’s done. “Griselda Express” featuring Conway the Machine & Rick Hyde begins the encore of the LP by saying they ain’t stopping on top of a solemn beat & “Big Tymers” featuring Peezy ties things up with 1-last trap cut boasting their current statuses.

A lot people who started with Benny or played a part ain’t make it since some are no longer with us, in prison, taking other paths or others that just weren’t built for it. With the help of Hit-Boy & Uncle Al, he puts the biggest lesson he took from that on full display for his major label debut. The production is versatile, the guests match his intensity & the Butcher inviting y’all to his world.

Score: 4.5/5

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Che Noir – “The Color Chocolate” review

Buffalo emcee/producer Che Noir releasing her 7th EP ahead of the 1-year anniversary of the Big Ghost Ltd.-produced predecessor Noir or Never. Discovering her after 38 Spesh signed Che to TCF Music Group & fully produced her first 3 EPs, her Apollo Brown-produced full-length debut As God Intended & then her self-produced 4th EP After 12 during the 2nd half of 2020 where her potential began to blossom exponentially. She has since followed this up with the sophomore effort Food for Thought as well as The Last Remnants & Noir or Never like I previously mentioned, so I went into The Color Chocolate interested in hearing what is said to be the first of many projects she has this year.

“Peaches & Herb” featuring Ransom starts things off with a soul sample advising to embrace losses since there’s some shit you gotta learn leading into “Junior High” featuring Evidence & Your Old Droog working in some pianos with a crooning vocal flip getting on the same page with one another conceptually. “Greek Scholar” featuring ICECOLDBISHOP starts the 2nd half of The Color Chocolateblending these kicks & snares with synthesizers on a race for money & power prior to “Vanilla Skies” produced by Graymatter rounding out the EP altogether with it’s lone solo cut speaking from the heart over a summery boom bap instrumental.

The Color Chocolate is said to just be the beginning of the world fully knowing Che Noir’s art along with who she is & I’m sure we’re gonna get another project from her soon that I’ll like more, but yeah this’ll hold off just fine until that time comes. The production is a mix of boom bap, soul samples & synthesizers with guests on almost every song that give equally impressive performances as one of the best from Buffalo. Highly looking forward to hearing what the rest of 2024 has in store for her.

Score: 3.5/5

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Crimeapple – “El León” review

New Jersey emcee Crimeapple enlisting New York producer Preservation for his 12th studio LP. Becoming a fan of his in the fall of 2017 with his 4th EP Sweet Dreams along with the Big Ghost Ltd. produced full-length debut Aguardiente that following spring, his profile in the underground grew exponentially from there. Discography standouts include the DJ Skizz-produced Wet Dirt, the DJ Muggs-produced Medallo, Cartagena, Breakfast in Hradec & Sin Cortar. However coming off a sequel to the Kilómetros EP few months ago, El León to me personally was already destined to become the most I’ve enjoyed Crime’s music in nearly a year & a half.

The title track starts the LP with heavy horns & pianos saying he doesn’t care if he was acquired for your tastes or not whereas “Don’t Mention It” featuring Sadat X keeping it drumless talking about how this shit isn’t a joke to them at all. “Lion vs. Panther” has this crazy vocal flip comparing himself to a lion & everyone else in his way as panthers prior to “Hunting Methods” bringing this infectiously drumless loop flexing that he doesn’t wait in line.

“Melena Dorada” featuring RLX talking about how blessings are all copious over some strings just before “Fumemos” goes into a stripped-back direction dedicating this one to all the smokers. “Camino Solitario” talks about traveling down a lonely road over a boom bap instrumental, but then “Vida Mantequilla” hooks up these kicks & snares with heavy horns having fun with a blonde on a Friday.

The song “Paw Prints in the Sand” wants to know how anyone is qualified to go up against him over a nightly beat while the penultimate track “Quanto Te Quiero” shifts into more delicate territory talking about a romantic interest. Finally to end the album, “Bulevar” is a deadpan closer dodging stress in favor of catching fish on a boat & might even give you some game if you ask him correctly.

It’s been quite some time since I personally have covered a project of Crime’s as his discography tends to be a little hit or miss sometimes, but El León unquestionably lived up to my expectations becoming the most I’ve enjoyed a project of his in a year & a half. Preservation’s predominately drumless production is more consistent than a lot of his output in 2023 & we get a metaphorical beacon for the unyielding hunger that the lyrical predator has always shown.

Score: 4.5/5

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Static-X – “Project: Regeneration 2” review

Static-X is an industrial metal band from Los Angeles, California now consisting of frontman Edsel Dope, bassist Tony Campos, lead guitarist Koichi Fukuda & drummer Ken Jay. Formed by their original frontman Wayne Static, their 1999 debut Wisconsin Death Trip would become a breakthrough for them in the nu metal era & went on to release 5 more albums until Wayne tragically passed away in the fall of 2014. They reformed in Wayne’s memory in 2020 on their last LP Project: Regeneration mixing old sounds with new along with their new frontman Edsel Dope recording brand new vocals mixed with posthumous Wayne vocals that I found myself liking as much as their debut. So with the 25-year anniversary that & the 10-year anniversary of Wayne’s passing, they’re commemorating it with a sequel to their previous album.

“Stay Alive” is this great industrial metal opener with Wayne & Edsel sharing the mic talking about seeing red & needing this person in their lives whereas “Z0mbie” continues to incorporate the abrasive & heavy sound from industrial music into a heavier context by using elements from post-industrial like synthesizers & drum machines so Edsel describing a psychotic bitch. Wayne & Edsel link back up on “Jic Boi” admitting they’re strung out experimenting with cyber metal leading “Black Star” finds Wayne bringing the band back to their signature industrial metal sound solely talking about losing his mind over the course of what time he had left.

Moving on from there, “Kamikaze” screamed by Edsel kinda gives me a nu metal vibe a bit looking to go Hiroshima just before “No Hope” dabbling with alternative metal so Wayne can talk about needing something to die for. “Take Control” sees Tony Campos & Edsel on vocals together continues to fuse industrial & metal music in their stylistic fashion suffering from hallucinations, but then “Tone” delves further into industrial metal with Wayne talking about all that ever knew was fear along with joy & destruction.

“Run for Your Life” switches it up by going cyber metal again & Edsel confessing to being the enemy that’s dead inside while both Wayne & Tony join him for “Dark Place” so the 3 can sing about individuals searching for something to take away from tomorrow’s sorrow returning it to their industrial metal wheelhouse. “Disco Otsego” with Edsel on vocals is a cyber metal dedication to the titular city of this reviewer’s home state of Michigan while “From Heaven” hauntingly takes a darker tone & Wayne morbidly likening his life to a disease.

The penultimate track “Terrible Lie” begins the encore with this boring industrial/nu metal cover of the 9 Inch Иails song of the same name with some cyber metal undertones to it that both Edsel & Wayne sing together prior to the closer “Groove Yoda Data 14” ending Project: Regeneration 2 by putting a bigger emphasis on cyber metal & both of them talking about no pain killing them & that it’s cold inside.

Before I begin my concluding thoughts: It made me happy that Twiztid opened for these guys on the Rise of the Machine Tour as someone who considers “Push It” to be such a classic single & as a Detroit juggalo who’s been following the Majik Ninja Entertainment founders since their Psychopathic Records days. As for the music itself, this sequel expands on everything that made the predecessor great. They continue to balance the sounds they came up on & dabble with new ones along the way with Wayne & Edsel continuing to show chemistry 1 last time.

Score: 3.5/5

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King Kashmere – “Sounds Like Home” review

This is the 4th EP from Grahame Park, London, England, United Kingdom emcee/producer King Kashmere. Notable for being a part of several groups or duos over the last few decades ranging from Kingdom of Fear & Invisible Inc. to Gawd Status as well as Old Children & Strange U, he also has 7 full-length solo albums & a couple of extended plays under his belt through the likes of Low Life Records to YNR Productions & Boot Records. Making his debut for High Focus Records in 2016 off his 3rd album Woof, he returned to the label with TR3B & has brought Cuth in to fully produce Sounds Like Home coming off The Album to End All Alien Abductions a month after Leon Slater ended Connor Mills’ reign as RPW British Cruiserweight Champion.

“Change Your Energy” soulfully starts off talking about everyone having their own universe within ourselves whereas “Thick Bag of Slime” featuring Alecs DeLarge goes for a psychedelic boom bap vibe to speak of striving & getting little in return. The title track soulfully while talks about keeping it real when others pretend while “Door of Truth” grittily asks if one can afford losing the game of life. After the compositional “Places” intermission, the final song “Valhalla” wraps up Sounds Like Home crushingly remembering his brother Tom.

I’d have to put The Album to End All Alien Abductions & TR3B above Sounds Like Home, but I’m nevertheless grateful King Kashmere was able to give us a 6 track EP containing some of the most emotive material in a career spanning over 2 decades. Cuth’s production here leans towards a boom bap direction as opposed to Alecs’ experimentation during The Album to End All Alien Abductions providing a good soundtrack for The Iguana Man to back at simpler times, long lost friends & a new perspective regarding the beauty & brutality of the human condition.

Score: 3.5/5

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Lil Dicky – “Penith” review

This is the sophomore full-length LP from Pennsylvania rapper, actor & “comedian” Lil Dicky. Appearing on the iconic 2016 XXL Freshman Class list, his debut album Professional Rapper was panned in 2015 & his debut EP I’m Brain in 2017 was also panned except to the point here you could argue that it might be the worst EP of all-time. “Freaky Friday” featuring Chris Brown became a hit too even though that wasn’t a good single either. However, he’s returning to release the soundtrack to his FX series Dave which was actually pretty well received running for 3 seasons.

“Brand New” is an industrial trap opener produced by Dylan Brady & benny blanco pulling from Yeezus a bit where Lil Dicky talks about feeling reborn which is fine, but KiD CuDi did it better on “New Mode” off Entergalactic. “Honestly” though works in an aquatic loop with hi-hats talking about how he’ll probably shock everyone when he drops whereas “Mr. McAdams” was actually a decent pop rap cut serving as a love letter to Rachel McAdams.

Corny bars like “Women shave they pussy smooth, lookin’ like a Ken doll” over generically thunderous trap production is what we get next on “HAHAHA” prior to the acoustic “Ally’s Song” focusing on his failed relationship with his ex-girlfriend of the same name. “Harrison Ave” samples “Wrapped Up Tight” by Delilah Moore based on the titular 2nd episode of the 3rd season, but then “Burst” is a poorly sung ballad about being a hopeless romantic.

“2nd Coming” calls himself “the next Kanye West” over a bassy trap beat when Ye is a top 10 producer of mine with 2 of the greatest albums of all-time in The College Dropout & My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy under his belt when Lil Dicky is known for having an FX show better than both Professional Rapper & I’m Brain combined. “I Love Myself” goes drumless surprisingly talking about self love when I’d rather listen to “Self Luh” by Mach-Hommy while “Kareem-Abdul Jabbar” is from season 2 episode 4.

The concept of getting older on the melodic “Going Gray” isn’t anything new, but the way Lil Dicky paints it here doesn’t move me emotionally as Stevie Nicks during “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. The “Batman & Robin, it’s comical how I’ll keep runnin’ from problems” bar on “I Met a Girl” is one of the worst on the album & the singing is worse than it was on the previous cut. After the YG interlude from the pilot, “No Fruits & Vegetables continues the 2nd half of the LP with an obnoxious ode to cunnilingus from the 9th episode.

“I’m Drunk” goes into spacey pop rap/trap direction talking about being intoxicated on top of Cashmere Cat cooking one of the best instrumental on the album while “Morning After” takes place directly after the events of the previous joint except it has a more chilled out sound thanks to Tom Levesque of Vanguard Music Group & that Lil Dicky’s talking about intercourse. The bassy “My D!ck Sucks” admits to his dick being shoddy which I didn’t need to know & the settle “Still Freestyling” outro talks about turning 30.

To begin the 4 bonus tracks: the FNZ laced “Jail (Pt. 1)” is taken from the 10th & final episode of the first season while the trap-infused “Hearsay” continues to drop eye-rolling lines like “no capping with this paper like a Magic Marker”. “Hi, I’m Dave” is the theme song to the show & lastly “We Good” featuring GaTa ends the LP by going back & forth with each other exactly like the way they did it in the season 2 finale.

Other than a few cuts that sound okay within the context of the show that premiered the FX network owned by The Walt Disney Company, I really didn’t get a whole lot else out of Penith. The production mostly handled by benny blanco is the best thing the album has going for it blending pop rap & trap with additional elements of contemporary R&B but much like everything else in his discography, Lil Dicky’s take on comedy rap isn’t funny.

Score: 1/5

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Ouija Macc – “Corruptus” review

Las Vegas emcee Ouija Macc preluding his upcoming 4th LP Darcc Planet by releasing his 9th mixtape to start 2024. Breaking out in the fall of 2017 after the Insane Clown Posse signed him to Psychopathic Records shortly after putting out his debut EP Trashfire independently, Ouija has since proven himself as one of the most consistent & hard working dudes in the underground by dropping 3 full-lengths, 2 greatest hits compilations, his previous 7 mixtapes & 4 EPs all in the span of nearly 7 years. He even started his own label Chapter 17 Records, signing Darby O’Trill. As far as 2023 however, I really enjoyed Ouija’s previous tape Detritus along with both 3-Headed Monster albums & the Coronella collab album with Trizz. So coming fresh off that, the CEO’s beginning C17’s new year by treading new waters on Corruptus.

“Corrosion in C Sharp” finds Ouija singing a capella asking if it’s it real or all a lie whereas “Sorcerer Stoned” taking a groovier trap route starting off by continuing to sing for the first verse prior to rapping for the second so he can throw devil sets in your face. “Breathing is a Sacrifice” goes into full-blown rock territory advising not to spend money on him because he’ll be fine prior to “Laughing Upside Down” going a capella once more singing to find your smile.

Meanwhile, “Off the Ground” has more of an acoustic trap flare thanks to Devereaux talking about picking yourself back up when you’re down & after the “How Many Times?” interlude interpolating the song of the same name off my favorite joker’s card The Great Milenko, “All 4 Nothing” gives off a bit of a spacey trap rock vibe advising not to tell him it’s alright when you know it’s not.

“The Knowing Hand” keeps it a capella singing that he doesn’t know what he should say, but then “Wingless Bones” sings about how you can’t fix lonely over some guitars. After the “The Lights Are On in Hell” interlude & before the “To Say Goodbye outro, the final song “Nicorette” properly ends Corruptus by going head-on trap metal instrumentally as he sings that he doesn’t want to feel since none of his friends care as he shouldn’t either.

If anyone’s gonna go into Corruptus expecting the usual mix of the wicked shit & trap that a lot of Ouija Macc’s music is known for, then you’re gonna be surprised as I am to hear that he makes a huge stylistic departure on this tape & it’s probably the most experimental body of work he’s ever done. He’s showing off his singing voice more here on top of the production being more guitar-centered for a chunk of it.

Score: 4/5

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Bizarre – “Ratt Poison” review

Detroit emcee Bizarre originally the now defunct D12 led by the late Proof surprise-releasing his 3rd EP a day in advance. Amongst the first in the crew to put out a solo effort with his 1998 debut EP Attack of the Weirdos which is a hometown classic to me, the idiotic kid followed it up 7 years later with a worthy full-length debut Hannicap Circus & has continued to put out music on his own since. However, his last couple albums He Got a Gun along with it’s sequel produced by Foul Mouth have become his most acclaimed solo material since Attack of the Weirdos & Hannicap Circus. So when Biz started teasing Ratt Poison, I didn’t expect anything to be below the mark those previous LPs had set.

“Count on Me” is a soulful boom bap opener with some jazzy undertones talking about hitting your block with 100 of his homies with dynamite powerful enough to kill J.J. Walker himself whereas “Uncle” takes a more rugged approach instrumentally talking about being homicidal & looking to air out his enemies. “Heebee Jeebeez” works in some ominous piano chords as well as more kicks & snares asking if you can feel the griminess prior to “Kodak” giving off straight up horror movie vibes with the beat talking about being a drug addict.

To officially start the encore of Ratt Poison, “Potty Mouth” gets on his disgusting shit over a dusty ass instrumental while the unhinged “G.E.D.” admits to being stupid & that he chose thuggin’ over a degree. Finally, the title track featuring Young Zee of the Outsidaz collective whom both Bizarre AND Eminem were once members of from the late 90’s to early 2000s finds the 2 over 1 last boom bap beat with these chilling piano chords woven in spitting lethal hardcore bars for a couple minutes.

Pill God in the summer of 2018 was the last time to my knowledge than I can recall Peter S. putting out an EP & I feel like that was to coincide with the 20 year anniversary of Attack of the Weirdos, which Pill God just didn’t hold a candle to in terms of quality. Ratt Poison on the other hand continues the trajectory that He Got a Gun & He Got a Gun 2 headed towards. Foul’s production is consistently raw & continues to prove as a great match for Bizarre’s improved lyricism.

Score: 4/5

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Fordio & MJPaid – “Made & $tyle” review

Michigan rappers Fordio & MJPaid teaming up for a new collaborative mixtape. Both of whom are notable for being members of the Dog $hit Militia collective founded by the ShittyBoyz, signing to Lando Bando’s own EMPIRE Distribution imprint The Hip Hop Lab Records as solo acts not too long ago with 3 EPs under their belts each. However ahead of their respective debut albums Paid Ponzi & Fordi Milligrams next year, both parties are putting their chemistry to the test on Made & $tyle.

“Grammys” begins by trading verses with one another about the way they be living over a Detroit trap instrumental whereas “Dirty $oda” expresses their love of sippin’ lean. “Trials & Tribulations” produced by Danny G has to be an early favorite of mine excellently pulling off the back-&-forth delivery better than both previous attempts while “2K24” talks about leaving all that broke ass shit in the past.

As for “Neck of the Juggs”, we have Fordio & MJPaid telling us they’d rather play gangster for the blue hundreds spending all day chasin’ a bag just before “Way 2 Geeked” talks about being fucked up off the drugs to the point where they can’t even sleep. “IDKY” references WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson while “Chemistry” featuring the late $camaurion has a bar referring to the Fox Corporation’s flagship property’s longest running animated series The Simpsons.

“Bubble” talks about hitting Philadelphia after burning down shop only 3 months away from the City of Love hosting WrestleMania XL following WME Group merging the WWE & the UFC to form TKO Group Holdings a few months ago while “D$M&$” featuring Lewis & Clark reps their gang over a Jakesand instrumental. “3am in Oakland” remembers their fallen homie $cams accompanied by a Danny G beat while “What Happened” asks where the time goes.

Moving on from there, “Nowadays” observes the way things are currently whether others acting as if they tough or both Dog $hit Militia members never failing while “Never Stop Cashin’” featuring Prince Jefe reunites with Jakesand for the trio to talk about not complaining of the cheese they making since it’s free. “On the Way” advised for anyone broke to keep their opinions to themselves while “Intoxicated” talks about profiting off every run.

“Master Minds” featuring Kasher Quon reminisces over the times they’ve done fucked up a load & memories of $camaurion coming up to mind while “2am in Atlanta” takes us live from the ATL talking about what’s on their minds during the late night hours. “Juice WRLD” gets over a Danny G instrumental for another exciting moment of trading verses prior to GlockBoyz TeeJaee & TR Dee joining to express their dislike towards “Paparazzi”.

Danny G & Jakesand both lock in with each other behind the boards for the song “What It Seems” talking about rocking the finest, most expensive shit & having the money to compliment the outfits while “Ain’t Hearing It” confesses to getting up in their feelings when it comes to the bands aspiring to go after millions. “End Goal” finishes Made & $tyle with both rappers talking about their endgame being in their separate mansions.

As someone who’s heard both of these guys through guest appearances on a handful of projects that THHL has put out within the past couple years, Made & $tyle is only the beginning for Fordio & MJPaid as I’m sure their individual debuts for the Detroit trap label will be equally promising of their artistic potentials as this. The production is greater than either solo EP from each performer, holding their own weight & doing a fine job at balancing one another lyrically.

Score: 3.5/5

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Super Famous Fun Time Guys – “I’ll Tell You When I Want to Laugh By Laughing” review

Ohio self-deprecating horrorcore duo Mr. 8 Legz & Whipstick professionally known as the Super Famous Fun Time Guys have returned with their 4th full-length LP & their 2nd under Long Live Evil. Emerging in 2018 off their debut album Our Album, they would follow it up with the Super Dudes Crooning the Tunes EP that same fall freestyling over songs like Yasiin Bey’s “Mathemathics” or even Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”. Following their sophomore effort How Do You Fit a Cassette in a Discography? & their solo debut EPs, they became the very 1st act to sign to LLE & their 3rd album Don’t Hug Me from the Front quickly won a lot of people (including myself) over with how well it mixed horrorcore with comedy. They continued to further establish themselves in the underground by putting out a Christmas EP Holiday EP: Advent & the critically acclaimed Lost Lake Estates collaborative effort with their mentors Alla Xul Elu, they’re beginning the 2nd half of January 2024 by simply saying I’ll Tell You When I Want to Laugh By Laughing.

After the “I’m Intro Bro” intro, the first song “Laugh Now Maybe” is a spacious boom bap opener essentially serving as the title track to the album whereas “More Things Same” works in some woodwinds reminding that they’re here to piss you off 1 pussy at a time referencing former 2-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Damage CTRL. “We”R”Us” sets out to ruin your day because it’s simply what they are asking if you’ve ever noticed that record-setting 3-time ROH World Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion, ROH World Television Champion, the longest reigning NXT Champion, the inaugural NXT North American Champion, NXT Tag Team Champion, PWG World Champion & CZW World Jr. Heavyweight Champion Adam Cole and former AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker look alike over an plucky, eerie loop attached to these kicks & snares just before “FanDUHlism” gives off an EDM vibe instrumentally responding to those telling them to grow up & leaving blood behind as if they’re 8-time WWE tag team champions The Usos.

“Thirst Trap” gives off a bit of a synth-funk flare to the beat Uno card reversing bitches wanting to break their hearts leading into “Cumulonimbus Cerebrum” talking about how no one’s safe when they open the clouds they keep their heads with a reference to current Monday Night Raw superstar, former 6-time WWE world champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE tag team champion, inaugural ROH Hall of Famer inductee, 2-time AEW World Champion, ROH World Champion, 2-time ROH World Tag Team Champion & 5-time IWA World Champion CM Punk who later albeit unsuccessfully competed in the UFC division of the WME Group-owned TKO Group Holdings over a west coast instrumental. “We’re Waaaack” by Mighty Morphin’ Wackness shifts into dustier territory giving us a look at 4 guys who don’t know how to act right, but then “Hatemail” featuring McNastee assures the listener that everything will be ok over some piano chords.

The 2nd & final single “Charity Case” admits to getting drunk & fall asleep so they can leave the hate they’re bottling behind over some guitars while the lead single “Quirky Pop Punk Song (Existential Dread)” featuring Stray Withers has some incredibly tight production from Billy Martin in the titular vein feeling like time is starting to wear thin. “My Friends Can Beat Up Your Friends” featuring Alla Xul Elu as well as Long Live Evil’s newest recording artist S.O.N. brings the sextet together for a boom bap-infused LLE posse cut referencing lucha libre popularized by the Lutteroth family-owned Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) & it’s rival promotion in the Peña–Roldán family-owned Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) while “1 Botched Brooks Finisher” dabbles with trap delving into their villain arcs.

After the “I’m Outro Tho” skit, “Sote2nelF” serves as the first of 2 bonus tracks to end I’ll Tell You When I Want to Laugh by Laughing by making peace with the dark over a drearier beat & the other bonus cut “Idk Might Cry Later” ties up the greatest tag team to never set foot in the ring’s sophomore effort with Long Live Evil talking about falling into darker places masking their pain on top of some solemn acoustics.

Since first being announced at the 2nd annual Camp Xul, I was hoping that Billy Obey was gonna fully produce it because I feel like hearing Legz & Whip over his production start to finish would make for something really special one day. However, they haven’t let me down in the 3 years that I’ve been a fan of theirs & we still got a solid LP regardless. The overall sound is a melting pot of different & interesting ideas as the chemistry amongst both MCs remains humorously animated.

Score: 4/5

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