By Odeisel

Muscle Car Chronicles has been whispered in the wind for a while now, lost amid Spitta’s rabid touring and album dropping schedule. Don’t look now folks but two weeks after dropping a mini mixtape project, New Orleans finest (yep I said it) finally drops the project and it’s a stark departure from his previous work in feel and tone.

Curren$y’s subject matter isn’t that varied but his charm lies in his ability to weave multi-layered narratives that eviscerate the two bar schemes so common in Hip-Hop and sprinkling in pop culture Easter eggs in his rhymes without leaving the blatant map of a punchline set-up. What makes this album stand out from his previous work is the aggressive yet liquid jam session sound. Where the two editions of Pilot Talk were smoothly blended and subdued soundscapes.

Muscle Car Chronicles is free flowing but possesed with elements of psychedelic rock, funk, and that jam session Brand New Heavies rhythm that makes it perfect for mic improvisation. Curren$y’s rhymes are not as dense as on his previous full-length albums but it’s by design. The ad libs and repartee with the band all but cements the idea that this recird was intended to sound live.

“Sound Bombin” opens with psychedelic organs and brash cymbal clashes. Sprinkled with reference to Peter Bogdonivich’s Where The Wild Things go and Jet life love. The paces picks up immediately with the wah wah guitar driven “N.O. Shit” declaring “Spitta prevails while all these other weak niggas fail.”

Schooby Doo mystery machine organs drive the appropriately named “Frosty.” A buttersoft baseline adds the rhythms and the Caspian Sea gets a shout out. The rousing jam session continues on “Razors & Chopsticks.” Electric guitars are the star of this track with Spitta getting his Black Thought on; serving as another instrument on the songm

“Not So Much” flaunts a frenetic piano on some Jerry Lee Lewis shit that belies the overall slow to midtempo groove. The song is the perfect representation of who Curren$y is: a slow drawl rapper possessed of fire, motion and an intricate constitution. Airplane allegory continues with “Fly Out (Deux).” Spitta showcases vocab (nebulous) reference (Vinnie Chase and Entourage) and freestyling (the first of at least two songs with the same Jim Morrison reference).

“Bout It 11” pays homage to Spitta’s heritage and his No Limit entry into the rap game. That low whine from the original is all but drowned by a whammy board, big drums and a chunky electric guitar but serves as effective homage. Late 60’s rock a la The Doors drives “The Strangest Life.”McKenzie Eddie guest stars but. The track again is the hero. Mikey Rocks of the Kool Kids and Tabi Bonney add a different flair to “Fly Out,” each with their own signature cooler than you swagger.

This album could have easily been named Shoch and Awe. It hits hard and fast with no bullshit interludes or filler records. Curren$y has established himself as perhaps the premiere live music rapper of his generation and Muscle Car Chronicles is further evidence of that designation.

Out of 5

Follow Us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/planetill

Join Us on the Planet Ill Facebook Group for more discussion

Follow us on Networked Blogs