By shelz.

Atlanta’s hometown beat heroes, Organized Noize, have teamed up with banner waving country boys, Nappy Roots for the joint LP, Nappy Dot Org. It’s been three years since the under-appreciated Humdinger and the rap conglomerate are pitching the album as yet another awesome effort. While their signature societal topics and seamless mic passing abilities are still present, Nappy Dot Org doesn’t quite capture the magic of previous efforts.

Weighing in at a svelte 11 songs, the album does appreciate modern music’s desire for brevity, but they still manage to pack a ton of variation into the small package. The myriad of styles sweep the spectrum presenting almost every subcategory rap has to offer, but ultimately hinder the albums cohesion.

Organized Noize moves from the sleepy horns and restrained organs of “The Legend Lives On” to the clubby, synthesized pop sounds of “Y’all Party,” with the stereotypical white girl on the hook to boot.  “Good and Evil” goes far afield into an almost Bruno Mars-ish stadium style and “Easy Money” dusts off the vocoder which seems to fly in the face of the organic feel Nappy Roots seem most comfortable in. The crew has done this typ of music before, but it’s usually filler.

When this crew strays too far from home, it simply waters down their potency.  However, several songs on the album stick close to their formula, subtly engendering their country core, and that is where Nappy Roots earn their stripes.

“Country Boy Return” funks it up with dynamic horns, hand claps and even a guardian angel crying on the hook. The bass is restrained a bit too much, but Nappy’s reserved brand of chest thumping is always welcomed. The dreamy foundation for “Hey Love” belies its melancholy theme of a relationship at the breaking point.  Samuel Christian makes for a great feature. Guest Khujo Goodie pulls from his scene stealing opening verse in “Cell Therapy” to add a little Goodie nostalgia to “Pete Rose,” a bass laden head-nodder about the ills of the hood and how they affect the residents. “Karma,” and all of its sonic layers, creeps up on you in a great way.  The show-tuney hook is the best of the collection.

The album closes with “Congratulations,” a song that on the surface appears cheerful, but is definitely tinged with some melancholy.  Strength from the struggle and believing in the dream appears to be the theme. The intimacy with which they communicate it makes you feel like they think the effort was always worth it.

All in all, the motley collection of songs found on Nappy Dot Org convey all of the good Nappy Roots have always been known for; thoughtful lyrics spread over funky, layered tracks, completed  with an innate ability to fit all five in without the final product being forced or crowded. However, the missteps have followed them as well, as their attempts at pop party life tracks have always been akin to stuffing a round peg into a square hole.  It not their best, and it won’t convert the non believers, but Nappy Dot Org is definitely worthy of a spin or two from those in the know.

3.25 Out of 5

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