joe-budden-escape-route

For better or worse, Joe Budden remains one of Hip-Hop’s most intriguing entities. The struggles with his former label Def Jam, and his incredibly personal music have defined him and subsequently secured a devout following. Recently, his image has taken a different turn with the emergence of his successful Joe Budden TV series as well as his alliance with the the lyrical ensemble, Slaughterhouse. Yet and still, it is his actions as of late which have had many confused and some outraged. To compliment the release of Slaughterhouse’s debut, the third installment of Joey’s mentally ill themed series, Escape Route, also sees the light of day.

From the start, a seemingly perturbed and impatient Budden sets the tone on the intro with bars like, “…prisoner of my own mind/ problem is I don’t mind.” While not touted as an official “Mood Muzik” release, the feeling is definitely embedded in the CD. Nearly all of the tracks have a dark and introspective overtone, allowing the listener to gain entrance into a mind clouded with metaphors, pain and depth. One of the standout tracks, “Never Again”, reflects those exact sentiments when Budden confesses, “Swore I was done with Vicodin®/Till I changed my mind’s mind/And convinced him it was harmless, just vitamins.”

The journey through Budden’s mental is painfully graphic, yet addictive, especially when close attention is paid to the lyrics on records like “World Keep’s Spinnin’” and “Good Enough.” However, without questioning the lyrical credentials of Slaughterhouse, “We Outta Here” seems more suited for their group album as opposed to Budden’s solo project. The mood quickly returns with the J. Cardmin produced “Clothes On A Mannequin” and “Connect 4″ featuring Young Chris.

One of Joey’s most endearing qualities has always been his ability to tell a powerful story via his own words. In just over three minutes, Mouse manages to convey a trio of stories filled with despair and misfortune on “Freight Train.” The emotional locomotive includes tales of broken homes and conflicting fuzziness of right and wrong. Controversial or not, there aren’t many better than Jersey’s own at this element of Hip-Hop. The production, predominately orchestrated by Jared F., manages to set an appropriate canvas for Budden to paint his pictures upon, but doesn’t always come off as the most elaborate of soundscapes.

Ultimately, Escape Route finds itself as one of Budden’s best releases since 2007′s Mood Muzik 3. In typical JB fashion, there’s the occasional tedious moments as the appeal is his trademark lack of enthusiasm. But with the upcoming album, The Great Escape and Mood Muzik 4 supposedly in the making, his solo career could soon begin to receive the artistic recognition many have been clamoring for for years. That is, if he doesn’t drive himself crazy beforehand.

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Previously Posted — “Blood On The Wall” – Review Of Joe Budden’s Padded Room | “Lyrical Murderers” – Review Of Slaughterhouse’s Self-Titled Album