Sons of Liberty - Life Sentences Review (WORLD EXCLUSIVE !!!) {Shyne's album}

Rebel INS {CF} · 11-09-2008, 02:46 PM

Sons of Liberty – Life Sentences
November 9th 2008

After a long wait and much hype Sons of Liberty bring to us their highly anticipated debut Life Sentences. Before you even get to play the first track the double entendre title gives you the feeling that this is not going to be your average, linear album. Right from the off we are able to get an insight into the minds of the members of the group, their lyrics so true and expressive you could swear that you have known them for years.

Anyone familiar with Vocab will already know what to expect from his contribution to the album, that trademark syllable heavy flow with dozens of quotable bars that are sure to get you thinking even if they don’t get your jaw to drop.Sticky has the vocal tone that lies somewhere between M.O.P meets Masta Ace. The impression you get from listening to his rough voice and don’t give a fuck attitude leads you to believe he's the type of guy that would jack you for your McDonalds as you come out the drive through, and he isn’t even hungry.

The album opens up with We Can’t Get With That 08, a homage to Jay-Z. An uplifting beat matched with tales from both MCs of how despite the consistently uneven playing field of the rap game they're not going to stop the grind anytime soon. The song wraps up perfectly with Vocab’s bars getting across the thoughts of every true hip-hop fan worldwide on the current state of affairs

They tell me if I don’t spit it explicit y’all won’t listen //
But it’s in my opinion that these artists have got it twisted //
DJs talking all over the records got me like “DAMN !” //
Just shut the fuck up and do your talking with your hands //
Although I can’t blame ‘em in this day and age //
When MCs get on the mic and ain’t got nothing to say //

D.M.I. comes with an intro that may have heads thinking back to a certain bouncy ‘Welcome’ Jermaine Dupri treated us to all those years ago. Well, if it’s a warm welcome your after, better look elsewhere. The second track provides what is essentially a gritty canvas for the work of art titled The Sights of D.M.I. The imagery in both verses coupled with an anthem-esque hook paints a vivid picture of life for the pair.

It’s around Let the Pen Slide which is the album’s third track that almost everyone should be coming to realise that every track on this album serves a purpose. It’s damn near impossible not to lose yourself in just how beautiful and melodic the chorus is, as opposed to just bridging the gap between the verses it instead adds so much to the song, and will have the listener themselves getting retrospective as it drifts by.

Unique and fresh concepts are hard to come by in 2008, so when 2 unsigned and virtually unknown rappers from Iowa do something like SOL do on Through Your Eyes it raises two question. The first is “Why the hell can’t anyone in the industry think like this ?” and the second, and possibly more relevant by this stage of the album “Why the hell are these dudes not on already ?!” Hearing Vocab and Sticky switch flows over an absolute banger of a beat from Sion De Freitas should be enough to convince even the most persistent hater that these cats are the real deal.

After the slow mood that has dominated the album for the most part, particularly with the previous track Obama 08, Underground King provides a welcome change of pace. This is signature Vocab stuff here, the bars are packed, the flow is furious and the track is unpredictable. Admit it, upon seeing the title you undoubtedly thought that this was some boastful Underground anthem, while you may be right in some sense, the concept is flipped on it’s head focusing on the dumbing down of rhymes and grown men wanting you to make them dance. It’s a masterstroke by the man on what is the only solo track on this album setting in stone that ‘surprising’ may well be the buzzword associated with Sons of Liberty for years to come.

A late addition to the SOL roster Phatfolks is introduced to the world on SOL Music. Similar in style to Sticky he provides the group with more street appeal. His time to shine comes on the song entitled People in This World. Complete with Old School throwback opening bars he supplies the track with what is one of my personal favourite verses on the entire album. Oh and Vocab sings the hook, that’s right sings … What did I say earlier about that buzzword ? I rest my case.

At the risk of being long winded I’ve had to try not to talk about EVERY track in turn, but there are four that can’t possibly be ignored by me, or anyone listening to this album. Close Your Eyes has what is the single best verse on this album from Vocab and the sampled chorus paired with his mind blowing verse make for quiet the experience.

Left Below and Original Sin are another pair of ingenious concepts, not to be missed, but for me the highlight of the whole album is a song called Addiction. Produced by Tom Chambers it tells the tale of how a drug dealer and an addict are more similar than society may think. The vocal sample is enough to put anyone in a reflective mood and provides what is quiet frankly the ultimate backdrop for the story that is about to be told.

Now what’s the difference ‘tween a drug dealer and a fiend ? //
You ask me ? Imma tell ya not a damn thing //
We’re addicted to the high / And we addicted to the cream //
We both get caught / They sendin us to tha penitentiary //

The area of ground that has been covered for a 17 track album is nothing short of phenomenal, I’d love to go into more detail but I don’t know if the readers are even going to make it this far ! To sum up, its astounding how an album with so many different concepts gets the tracks to fit together in perfect harmony, but some how the boys pull it off. There really is no excuse for anyone to avoid this album, it literally has something for every hip-hop fan out there weather your into the gutter hood stories told in a cinematic style by Sticky, the lyrical onslaught of Vocab or the Southern touch that has found it’s way into the rhymes of Phatfolks you will find something in here to cater for you.

It may seem like I have not said anything bad about this album at all, that’s because I haven’t yet. In all honesty there is one thing that niggles at me about this project – Vocab’s verse on Close Your Eyes is so damn hot, and I just felt that Sticky’s was barely hanging in at all. For some one that did such a fabulous job on the whole album it was a pity that he had to not reach his full potential on this track in particular.

Have I been biased in my writing ? The answer is simply no. Although I am sure there will be people queuing up to say exactly that I can assure you that is not the case, in all honesty this album really is all that ! Anyone familiar with any of the groups early work will have expectations but the 17 tracks you are given through this project will blow them clean out of the water.

Overall, I challenge you to find an album that touches on so many different subjects, emotions and styles between 3 MCs and blends it so damn well. The chemistry is unbelievable and I think that’s more than apparent in the song writing. With lyrics that are nothing short of amazing coming at you at every turn over some of the sharpest production you may ever hear you can’t surely ignore this album and call yourself a true hip-hop fan, or perhaps more fittingly a fan of music at all.

Album dropping 22nd November

cakedout Robert · 11-09-2008, 03:29 PM

GL Shyne, had no idea you were rapping.

Rebel INS {CF} · 11-09-2008, 03:41 PM

Who did u used to be ?

cakedout Robert · 11-09-2008, 03:53 PM

No one particular, wanna hook an old boy up with the Advance version?

Disciples Stand Up!

Rebel INS {CF} · 11-09-2008, 03:59 PM

Oh my .... PETEY ?!?!?!?

cakedout Robert · 11-09-2008, 04:09 PM

Fail! My name is obviously Rob

Rebel INS {CF} · 11-09-2008, 04:10 PM

Pete Rock (SS50) I meant

cakedout Robert · 11-09-2008, 04:43 PM

So do I get the leak or what?

KING BHOB · 11-10-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cakedout robert

fail! my name is obviously rob

whoooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

you need to fall back!

DJ Shinobi [RA] · 11-12-2008, 12:35 PM

I need a production list!

Heffernan · 11-12-2008, 01:01 PM

cakedout robert = yayodestroyswu

FYI

Rebel INS {CF} · 11-12-2008, 01:03 PM

Suicide was meant to be used ... it wasnt

Shyne · 11-12-2008, 04:39 PM

saved most of the hhboard production for the ep

KING BHOB · 11-14-2008, 08:08 AM

^^^ AKA Ya'll Crackers Wasnt Nice Enough Behind the Boards!!!!!!!!

T0M CH4MBERS · 11-14-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

^^^ AKA Ya'll Crackers Wasnt Nice Enough Behind the Boards!!!!!!!!

sadface

KING BHOB · 11-14-2008, 11:11 AM

Well.....apparently you were good enough though lotus

It only took David 10paragraphs to mention you!!!!
Cheer Up!!

Sion De Freitas · 11-14-2008, 03:09 PM

yeah, big yourself up Vocab!!

11-09-2008, 02:46 PM	#1
Rebel INS {CF} - iLLuminati ~ Rapsody - Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 10,659 Thanks: 148 Thanked 416 Times in 169 Posts	Sons of Liberty - Life Sentences Review (WORLD EXCLUSIVE !!!) {Shyne's album} Sons of Liberty - Life Sentences Review (WORLD EXCLUSIVE !!!) {Shyne's album} *Sons of Liberty – Life Sentences* November 9th 2008 After a long wait and much hype Sons of Liberty bring to us their highly anticipated debut Life Sentences. Before you even get to play the first track the double entendre title gives you the feeling that this is not going to be your average, linear album. Right from the off we are able to get an insight into the minds of the members of the group, their lyrics so true and expressive you could swear that you have known them for years. Anyone familiar with Vocab will already know what to expect from his contribution to the album, that trademark syllable heavy flow with dozens of quotable bars that are sure to get you thinking even if they don’t get your jaw to drop.Sticky has the vocal tone that lies somewhere between M.O.P meets Masta Ace. The impression you get from listening to his rough voice and don’t give a fuck attitude leads you to believe he's the type of guy that would jack you for your McDonalds as you come out the drive through, and he isn’t even hungry. The album opens up with We Can’t Get With That 08, a homage to Jay-Z. An uplifting beat matched with tales from both MCs of how despite the consistently uneven playing field of the rap game they're not going to stop the grind anytime soon. The song wraps up perfectly with Vocab’s bars getting across the thoughts of every true hip-hop fan worldwide on the current state of affairs They tell me if I don’t spit it explicit y’all won’t listen // But it’s in my opinion that these artists have got it twisted // DJs talking all over the records got me like “DAMN !” // Just shut the fuck up and do your talking with your hands // Although I can’t blame ‘em in this day and age // When MCs get on the mic and ain’t got nothing to say // D.M.I. comes with an intro that may have heads thinking back to a certain bouncy ‘Welcome’ Jermaine Dupri treated us to all those years ago. Well, if it’s a warm welcome your after, better look elsewhere. The second track provides what is essentially a gritty canvas for the work of art titled The Sights of D.M.I. The imagery in both verses coupled with an anthem-esque hook paints a vivid picture of life for the pair. It’s around Let the Pen Slide which is the album’s third track that almost everyone should be coming to realise that every track on this album serves a purpose. It’s damn near impossible not to lose yourself in just how beautiful and melodic the chorus is, as opposed to just bridging the gap between the verses it instead adds so much to the song, and will have the listener themselves getting retrospective as it drifts by. Unique and fresh concepts are hard to come by in 2008, so when 2 unsigned and virtually unknown rappers from Iowa do something like SOL do on Through Your Eyes it raises two question. The first is “Why the hell can’t anyone in the industry think like this ?” and the second, and possibly more relevant by this stage of the album “Why the hell are these dudes not on already ?!” Hearing Vocab and Sticky switch flows over an absolute banger of a beat from Sion De Freitas should be enough to convince even the most persistent hater that these cats are the real deal. After the slow mood that has dominated the album for the most part, particularly with the previous track Obama 08, Underground King provides a welcome change of pace. This is signature Vocab stuff here, the bars are packed, the flow is furious and the track is unpredictable. Admit it, upon seeing the title you undoubtedly thought that this was some boastful Underground anthem, while you may be right in some sense, the concept is flipped on it’s head focusing on the dumbing down of rhymes and grown men wanting you to make them dance. It’s a masterstroke by the man on what is the only solo track on this album setting in stone that ‘surprising’ may well be the buzzword associated with Sons of Liberty for years to come. A late addition to the SOL roster Phatfolks is introduced to the world on SOL Music. Similar in style to Sticky he provides the group with more street appeal. His time to shine comes on the song entitled People in This World. Complete with Old School throwback opening bars he supplies the track with what is one of my personal favourite verses on the entire album. Oh and Vocab sings the hook, that’s right sings … What did I say earlier about that buzzword ? I rest my case. At the risk of being long winded I’ve had to try not to talk about EVERY track in turn, but there are four that can’t possibly be ignored by me, or anyone listening to this album. Close Your Eyes has what is the single best verse on this album from Vocab and the sampled chorus paired with his mind blowing verse make for quiet the experience. Left Below and Original Sin are another pair of ingenious concepts, not to be missed, but for me the highlight of the whole album is a song called Addiction. Produced by Tom Chambers it tells the tale of how a drug dealer and an addict are more similar than society may think. The vocal sample is enough to put anyone in a reflective mood and provides what is quiet frankly the ultimate backdrop for the story that is about to be told. Now what’s the difference ‘tween a drug dealer and a fiend ? // You ask me ? Imma tell ya not a damn thing // We’re addicted to the high / And we addicted to the cream // We both get caught / They sendin us to tha penitentiary // The area of ground that has been covered for a 17 track album is nothing short of phenomenal, I’d love to go into more detail but I don’t know if the readers are even going to make it this far ! To sum up, its astounding how an album with so many different concepts gets the tracks to fit together in perfect harmony, but some how the boys pull it off. There really is no excuse for anyone to avoid this album, it literally has something for every hip-hop fan out there weather your into the gutter hood stories told in a cinematic style by Sticky, the lyrical onslaught of Vocab or the Southern touch that has found it’s way into the rhymes of Phatfolks you will find something in here to cater for you. It may seem like I have not said anything bad about this album at all, that’s because I haven’t yet. In all honesty there is one thing that niggles at me about this project – Vocab’s verse on Close Your Eyes is so damn hot, and I just felt that Sticky’s was barely hanging in at all. For some one that did such a fabulous job on the whole album it was a pity that he had to not reach his full potential on this track in particular. Have I been biased in my writing ? The answer is simply no. Although I am sure there will be people queuing up to say exactly that I can assure you that is not the case, in all honesty this album really is all that ! Anyone familiar with any of the groups early work will have expectations but the 17 tracks you are given through this project will blow them clean out of the water. Overall, I challenge you to find an album that touches on so many different subjects, emotions and styles between 3 MCs and blends it so damn well. The chemistry is unbelievable and I think that’s more than apparent in the song writing. With lyrics that are nothing short of amazing coming at you at every turn over some of the sharpest production you may ever hear you can’t surely ignore this album and call yourself a true hip-hop fan, or perhaps more fittingly a fan of music at all. Album dropping 22nd November __________________ "Fighting Ignorance every day is gettin weary" [name pending] --- The Gateway Drug --- Sometime Soon --- myspace.com/namepending08

11-09-2008, 03:29 PM	#2
cakedout Robert Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 73 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	GL Shyne, had no idea you were rapping. __________________ cakedout.com (check us out on Karmaloop and Pickyourshoes) Rob from the Caked Out Crew

11-09-2008, 03:41 PM	#3
Rebel INS {CF} - iLLuminati ~ Rapsody - Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 10,659 Thanks: 148 Thanked 416 Times in 169 Posts	Who did u used to be ? __________________ "Fighting Ignorance every day is gettin weary" [name pending] --- The Gateway Drug --- Sometime Soon --- myspace.com/namepending08

11-09-2008, 03:53 PM	#4
cakedout Robert Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 73 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No one particular, wanna hook an old boy up with the Advance version? Disciples Stand Up! __________________ cakedout.com (check us out on Karmaloop and Pickyourshoes) Rob from the Caked Out Crew

11-09-2008, 03:59 PM	#5
Rebel INS {CF} - iLLuminati ~ Rapsody - Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 10,659 Thanks: 148 Thanked 416 Times in 169 Posts	Oh my .... PETEY ?!?!?!? __________________ "Fighting Ignorance every day is gettin weary" [name pending] --- The Gateway Drug --- Sometime Soon --- myspace.com/namepending08

11-09-2008, 04:09 PM	#6
cakedout Robert Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 73 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Fail! My name is obviously Rob __________________ cakedout.com (check us out on Karmaloop and Pickyourshoes) Rob from the Caked Out Crew

11-09-2008, 04:10 PM	#7
Rebel INS {CF} - iLLuminati ~ Rapsody - Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 10,659 Thanks: 148 Thanked 416 Times in 169 Posts	Pete Rock (SS50) I meant __________________ "Fighting Ignorance every day is gettin weary" [name pending] --- The Gateway Drug --- Sometime Soon --- myspace.com/namepending08

11-09-2008, 04:43 PM	#8
cakedout Robert Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 73 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So do I get the leak or what? __________________ cakedout.com (check us out on Karmaloop and Pickyourshoes) Rob from the Caked Out Crew

11-12-2008, 12:35 PM	#10
DJ Shinobi [RA] Slangologist nahmsayin? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Posts: 2,487 Thanks: 82 Thanked 69 Times in 52 Posts	I need a production list! __________________ Minorities gotta stick together. Fight the power! - ILLogic “I respect hip-hop and i dont know one word of Midnight Marauders and truthfully dont have the interest to go and find out…” - Lupe Fiasco

11-12-2008, 01:01 PM	#11
Heffernan AHH!Get Away From Oprah!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: location location Posts: 1,823 Thanks: 366 Thanked 1,073 Times in 290 Posts	cakedout robert = yayodestroyswu FYI __________________

11-12-2008, 01:03 PM	#12
Rebel INS {CF} - iLLuminati ~ Rapsody - Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 10,659 Thanks: 148 Thanked 416 Times in 169 Posts	Suicide was meant to be used ... it wasnt __________________ "Fighting Ignorance every day is gettin weary" [name pending] --- The Gateway Drug --- Sometime Soon --- myspace.com/namepending08

11-12-2008, 04:39 PM	#13
Shyne Sons Of Liberty Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,937 Thanks: 3 Thanked 656 Times in 202 Posts	saved most of the hhboard production for the ep __________________ myspace.com/vocabthemc Album officially Released!

11-14-2008, 08:08 AM	#14
KING BHOB Know Me From Tha Rap Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: East Allentown Pennsylvania Posts: 1,572 Thanks: 0 Thanked 433 Times in 93 Posts	^^^ AKA Ya'll Crackers Wasnt Nice Enough Behind the Boards!!!!!!!! __________________ >>>>>>>LIFE

11-14-2008, 11:11 AM	#16
KING BHOB Know Me From Tha Rap Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: East Allentown Pennsylvania Posts: 1,572 Thanks: 0 Thanked 433 Times in 93 Posts	Well.....apparently you were good enough though lotus It only took David 10paragraphs to mention you!!!! Cheer Up!! __________________ >>>>>>>LIFE

11-14-2008, 03:09 PM	#17
Sion De Freitas The McDuppy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South London Posts: 847 Thanks: 159 Thanked 274 Times in 104 Posts Blog Entries: 1	yeah, big yourself up Vocab!! __________________ When it rains, it doesn't rain on Jack Wilshere. He glides through the rain.