“Morning Wood” - Review Of 88-Keys’ The Death Of Adam
ALBUM REVIEWS By David D. on November 12, 2008 at 5:56 am
When 88-Keys was retelling his story of how Kanye West called The Death of Adam the best album since Late Registration, the response was pretty skeptical. However, much to Mr. West’s foreshadowing, the producer/rapper has created a project that is a surprisingly cohesive, high quality concept album that may be the most hilarious effort since De La Soul rapped about their own demise.
The concept is simple enough- guy needs some action, meets a woman, things fall apart. Keys, though, tells the classic story by tackling topics not too common on a Hip-Hop album. Just check the laugh-out-loud opening track, “Morning Wood” with “the morning good/start off on the right foot when she takes care of the morning wood.” By the time DOA advances to the first single “Stay Up! (Viagra),” it’s obvious that this isn’t standard “boy meets girl” fare.
88-Keys excels at constructing a tight narrative, making Death of Adam a true concept album. He enlists the help of fellow comic MCs Phonte and Redman to drive the story through their lyrical skill on “Close Call” and “Burning Bush” respectively, with Redman especially displaying his old outrageous wit. To tie together each song, Keys utilizes a female narrator that adds a few words at the end of each track. Her anecdotes are entertaining and short enough that they don’t detract from the flow of the album. While she speaks, 88-Keys strips down the production and lives up to his namesake by mimicking the original beat via piano.
Keys’ maestro qualities don’t end there. Expertly chopped up samples and live instrumentation combine to make each track an eventful chapter in Adam’s story. Just listen to the vibrant sample on “(Awww Man) Round 2?” or the luscious horns on “Handcuff Em’.” 88-Keys is a producer extraordinaire and he shows off this ability all album long.
Being relatively new to the limelight with a heavy co-sign from Mr. West is sure to bring about a number of comparisons. One similarity is their shared penchant for questionable, sometimes corny bars. Listening to him spit is very similar to the experience of listening to College Dropout as most lines are superb, but a few “R-E-S-P-E-C-T/don’t she know that I’m H to the A-R-D” type clunkers slip through. 88-Keys’ insistence on spitting through a megaphone is also a grating effect. Finally, “Dirty Peaches” is the only clear miss track on the album as J*Davey drops in for an unneeded lullaby. Cutting that track down to a minute or two would go a long way to keeping up the album’s momentum.
These are only minor gripes as The Death of Adam is quietly one of the best albums of the year. At roughly 45 minutes, the album plays out like an episode of a sitcom, equipped with laughs, blunders and genuine high-quality music. Yes, Adam may be dead, but 88-Keys has finally arrived.
Get familiar with 88-Keys - Adam’s Case Files Mixtape
Previously Posted - TSS Presents Smoking Sessions With 88-Keys | 88-Keys - The Death Of Adam EPK
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45 Comments
Personally I kinda like “Dirty Peaches”… granted… it is probably the weakest track on the album.
This is a definite purchase. Went to Best Buy yesterday, and there were no copies on the rack… plus they were out of Q-Tip’s album as well (apparently they only got like 10 copies in at the location I visited *SMH*).
I may have to order this online.
a review already? dang. quick turnaround
I’m disappointed. I was expecting a 3.5 lol
^ LOL
This album is definitely hard to find…there wasn’t a single store here that had it, Best Buy, FYE, Circuit City, local…nuthin. It’s a shame too. Cuz I know that album cover gonna get people to at least look at it, and when they see the tracklist and guests, it might get them to cop.
It won’t be hard to find in a week or so. After somebody @ the label gets their head chewed. SMH @ this joint not having a video yet
Well, that was quick. Great album. I expected it to be good after the “Adam’s Case Files” mixtape, but the actual album surpassed my expectations. This joint has been on a loop since I 1st DL’ed it & I can’t wait to get a physical copy. I know Fat Beats’ll have a copy. I hope. My candidate for “Sleeper Album Of The Year cause ain’t noboy seen this coming.
^ My candidate for “Sleeper Album Of The Year” cause ain’t nobody seen this coming.
I went out looking for it today and came up with nada.
Nice review.
Case Files is on my top 5 08 short list, 88’s the don.
Don’t you ninjaz have HMV in the US??? Every HMV that I went to over here in Toronto had at least 20 copies in stock.
I saw a kid with a lumberjack and a hunter hat on holding on to the CD. I went into the trunk of my car and pulled out the baseball bat and then ran at him and….
Well. Suffice it to say, I now have my own copy. Support your artists.
HMV went outta buisness here in NYC. For the indie stuff, Tower, Fat Beats & Virgin used to be the spots but with Tower shutting down, Virgin & Fat Beats are the last bastions for underground/indie Hip-Hop. I’m getting this album Thursday, where from, I have no idea, but I haven’t been as excited about buying an album since American Gangster.
“Kanye West called The Death of Adam the best album since Late Registration”
Maybe not, but it’s definitely in good company.
No 3.5? Disappointing.
Good album. I found the narrator to be annoying, kinda like a crutch, but I appreciate the way he mimicked the main beat after the fadeouts, so that cancels out. A lot of corny bars. Great beats.
is this legit?
http://rs476.rapidshare.com/files/162947311/KW-808s___Heartbreak.rar
WOW 4 cigs! This must be REALLY good!!!!
This album is dope. “Stay Up (Viagra)” needs a video. That will make the label push on the distribution.
pure piffery…
is this legit?
http://rs476.rapidshare.com/files/162947311/KW-808s___Heartbreak.rar
=======================================
It’s seems legit but the quality on the unleaked joints is horrible. Look for the dam to burst sometime today.
It is the best concept album since Prince Paul’s A Prince Amongst Thieves. Hell it is one of the better albums of the year.
Almost forgot
Any Album that gets >3.5 = Hell has Frooze over
LOL!!!
It is the best concept album since Prince Paul’s A Prince Amongst Thieves.
=============================
Close, but not quite. Try Danny Swain’s last two albums: “Charm” and “…And I Love H.E.R.”
^ I’ll have to check those 2 out.
aight muthafuckas!!!!
I have personally written these reviews:
Kuntry King- 2
Illa J- 2.5
Elzhi- 3.5
88 Keys and Jake One- 4
See that? We came together as a Crew and made these decisions. So we don’t only give 3.5s cotdammit!!!!!!! I’m tempted to put a big faucet on the page that says “808s and heartbreaks” and give ya’ll Khia’s album instead!!!
*takes nerve pills*
*walks away slowly with “mind ya bidness” grill (c) Ashley Banks*
*walks away slowly with “mind ya bidness” grill (c) Ashley Banks*
==============
lol, i could hear her in my head when i read that.
Hmmmmm
Let’s do some math shall we
2+2.5+3.5+4+4=16
16/5=3.2
3.2 rounded up is 3.5
See even the average of yall reveiws is 3.5!!!
LOL
Proof is in the pudding this is a
TSS C O N spiracy!!!
LOL
Just jokes
LOL
Amp:
You are going to hell for having White Jesus giving the middle finger; eventhough if you ask Pat Robertson he will telll that is what White Jesus did when he found out Obama won the election. LOL
nice review..4 cigs..mos def a purchase
Wow, kinda surprised with the 4 cigs. I like the album, beats are dope and the concept is pretty fly. My question is, in about 6-7 months when you scroll through your Itunes and you get to this album, when you reflect will it still be a 4? I was hoping that he put Cuddle Bums (that’s my shiiiit), Deal Breakers and Just Like a Man on the album. With those songs it would be a solid 4! But maybe it didn’t flow with his concept, who knows?
==========================================================
Kuntry King- 2
^
Now that was a generous review.
2+2.5+3.5+4+4=16
16/5=3.2
3.2 rounded up is 3.5
See even the average of yall reveiws is 3.5!!!
LOL
^
good shit LOL
Bigga, I have a strong desire to kick you in the nuts.
That is all.
lol
^ LMAO!!!!!
@ California
When we do the ratings, the long-term value of the album definitely factors into the final score. The creativity of this joint will hold up over the years because it’s very distinct. We’ve had this joint for awhile. We listen and listen, then listen again.
HMV
Don’t you ninjaz have HMV in the US??? Every HMV that I went to over here in Toronto had at least 20 copies in stock.
—
Fuck HMV; those motherfuckers barely carry any Texas artists, let alone any Indie artist..fuckn facists.
contra that was me…
i loved the album till i got beat down
no lie, was expecting more
i understand the concept of the album, but cant find the unifying theme. it just seems like a lot of songs about girls and sex.
@ TC
“When we do the ratings, the long-term value of the album definitely factors into the final score. ”
^
That’s what’s up. Some people or critics sometimes base their opinion/reviews on the “hype” of the artist and not the “quality” of work. Good to hear the TSS Crew thinks of the long term and how the album will stand up over time when rating albums. Maybe I need to give it some more spins or I am bitter that my favorite joint is not on the album. LOL
@ RuggedandRaw
“i understand the concept of the album, but cant find the unifying theme. it just seems like a lot of songs about girls and sex.”
^
That is “The Death of Adam”
What??? The HMV in the city is packed to the rafters with hip hop cd’s.
Is the Adam Case Files an internet release only? It would be nice if they bundled it as a bonus CD or something
HMV in NY has been shut down. Now you have to go to Fat Beats, Virgin, and the mom and pops to buy music. I was going to say Circuit City but they are about to bite the dust too.
Best Buy has it in Cali, The Death of Adam, not Case Files. Do they have any Best Buys in the east coast?
The Credit Crunch is biting hard huh?
The death of the rip off merchants!
hey can i get a link for the album
88 keys the death of adam!!!
hole on, pimp. This album is NOT better than q-tip’s album. concept is nice and all, but musically and lyrically this album doesn’t stand as tall as The Renaissance.
This Album Is One Of The Top For 08′
Best Song Has To Be “The Friends Zone”..Nice Indie Rock Tune With Hip-Hop Vibe
88-Keys Is Awesome
For the NYC heads… Has anyone checked if J&R has copies? Now that I live out on Long Island, my CD and Vinyl purchases are limited to online and a weekly trip into the city.
I know everyone runs to Tower and Fat Beats but J&R also usually has a good selection — plus I can order from them and save the trip money. But I don’t want to waste a trip downtown if I can help it.
I’m burning this because there’s no “Sista” in the video. LOL Real talk.
I thought dirty peaches was in the top 3 best songs… quit dirtyin up these young chicks and the rest of us wont have to pay for when they end up scandalous and bitter… “what? you tryin ta play me? You dont know me? You raped me?” This could be a damn guidebook to alot of guys who arent as savvy with the ladys…. Great album… “V a strong Supporter.. triple shot of Yak with a chaser of bong Water” Mf doom respectivley…. this album will make ya brain go numb..a new high..finally some good music
I really gotta grab a physical copy of this. Both the album & the mixtape still get burn from me.