“Tight Rope” – Review Of Brother Ali’s Us
ALBUM REVIEWS By K1NG on October 12, 2009 at 1:56 pm
The line between mainstream and underground Hip-Hop has become less and less distinguishable over the last couple of years. With so many artists scrambling for major label deals, rappers in similar veins as Brother Ali are welcomed with open arms by those still sporting their Jansports™ like it was 1999. Over the last two years, the Minneapolis rhymer’s stock has risen from relative unknown to underground hero with co-signs and collaborations with the likes of Jake One and Freeway.
His new album Us is a 16 track deep collaboration between him and fellow Minnesota beatmaker Ant (of Atmosphere.) The album opens up with a sermon from Hip-Hop legend Chuck D that introduces Ali to the audience like he was much more of a man of the cloth than a rapper; a theme that is continually touched upon over the disc. This distinction that he created is both a gift and a curse. On one hand, his voice and delivery is very fitting for the job, but on the other, it sets up lyrical expectations that he only meets on few songs.
For example, tracks like “Breakin’ Dawn,” “Crown Jewel” and “Fresh Air” have nearly the same effect as Tylenol PM when consumed. His flow on the aforementioned cuts is an exaggerated extension of his “preachy” style with mediocre lyrics that completely lack the amount of passion that his voice puts forth. This sleep-inducing attribute is the album’s main downfall, as it is also found in his story-telling. “House Keys” is a pointless narrative that’s about as uneventful and predictable as a Hugh Grant romantic comedy. Just because an occurrence can be rapped, doesn’t mean it should be recorded.
While the majority of the album falls to a similar fate, there are a couple exceptions that are mostly found near the back end of the track listing. “Best @ It” is the only track with a feature on it and it comes with two. Joell Ortiz and Freeway bring out the best of Ali over a choppy upbeat track that Ant crafts beautifully with plenty of alterations to keep the track interesting. “The Travelers,” and “Tight Rope” are also worth checking out, but they are not quite enough to balance out the dreary, repetitive tone that is carried throughout the rest of the project.
In the end, Brother Ali is still a respected MC who will continue having success pleasing his established fan base. Us just isn’t the album that’s going to expand it any wider.
Previously Posted — Brother Ali – “Us” Video | Brother Ali Feat. Freeway & Joell Ortiz – “Best At It”
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL — Tags: Ant, Brother Ali, Freeway, Jake One, Rhymesayers Entertainment, Us
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20 Comments
Wow. It wasn’t his best work but I thought it was really good. Especially “House Keys” and “Breakin’ Dawn”, which are some of my favorite joints on there. Dah well, I loved it.
Woah. This album is easily a 4 IMO. One of my favorite releases of ‘09. And how could “Breakin’ Dawn” be called boring? Did you listen to the story? Powerful.
I couldn’t agree more with the score. Most overrated MC out of Minneapolis. Champion EP and Shadows were good, then the preachy hooks started and he never looked back.
I know that album ratings are subjective. But Brother Ali really brings it and I am really feeling this album. I think it should be rated higher than three. I like how he plays with where he places his rhymes. I like the beats, his flow, and delivery.
I really the positive vibes he puts forth too. “Fresh Air” shows us that we can be happy no matter where we are at. And the title track is just awe-inspiring,
Sorry but I had to add my two cents here.
I loved his latest work; but the review is a fair assessment of the album.
We could easily add half a cig… i’d say 4 cigs would be fair.
The album does not require to skip a track, and that’s what i love when i listen to someone’s work.
I usually scroll down to the rating and if I disagree I read the words…I had to read the words on this one. I say its a 4 but whatever, I am just Dave.
I know that album ratings are subjective.
^
Now that’s where you’re wrong.. If these reviews were subjective, you’d see a lot more 4.5s than just Rae.. On this particular album I e-mailed the WHOLE crew and not a SINGLE person combated the 3 rating.. We always look objectively at albums..
I really do like and root for Brother Ali, so i’m not gonna respond any further by putting down this album…
P.S.
If you all really feel that way about the album, you damn sure better have purchased it.. That’s worth way more than disagreeing with a rating here..
“If you all really feel that way about the album, you damn sure better have purchased it.”
I sure as hell did. Brother Ali is probably the best rapper alive next to Jay, to me that is. I’m going to try and get “Shadows” and “Truth is Here EP” cause they had joints on it too.
But I’d at least give it an extra cig. But that’s me. And “Puppy Love” is my joint too.
Almost everything Brother Ali does is top notch. I don’t really get the rating, especially when y’all gave Cudi a 4.
If the album reviews are all objective, then I have to disagree with this rating. There’s no way this is worse than BP3 lyrically and the production isn’t far behind. It should at least get the 4 cigs tht Cudi’s album managed to get. It’s one of the strongest albums to come out this year.
Fair enough review, especially the last two sentences as I don’t think a new comer to Ali’s work is really going to appreciate this if they haven’t followed the journey thru Rites of Passage, Champion, SotS, The undisputed Truth and the accompanying EP.
However, being one of those that have had the opportunity to devour the afore-mentioned classics, I think this is an incredible album. As has been previously stated, this completely and utterly trumps some previously reviewed albums on this site. In two years I can guarantee that I will have (at least) parts of “Us” still making an occasional appearance on my ipod, while Death Cab for Cudi or whatever that piece was will be long forgotten.
All that being said, still got love for the site. Just throwing in my $0.02
I hope the reviewer at least understood the extended metaphor in “Breakin Dawn” and how well Ali executed that shit. I don’t know how you can knock the lyrics when taking that into account. It’s a little deeper than what the surface may lead you to believe.
GOD DAMN THIS SOME BULLSHIT! WE WAIT ALMOST A MONTH LATE FOR YA’LL FUCKS TO REVIEW THE FUCKIN’ ALBUM OF THE YEAR & YA’LL GIVE IT A 3 OUT OF 5???!! YOU GOTTA BE FUCKIN’ SHITTIN’ ME! YOU GAVE Playaz Circle, ‘Fresh Daily’?!, Warren G, Jay-Z, that bullshit re-hashed EP Drake dropped to rape the masses, AND that ‘comeback’ album from Raekwon which Gotty was even quoted as saying “Rae’ was panting to even keep up, far from a comeback!” WHICH YOU GAVE A 4.5! YOU GAVE ALL THESE ALBUMS (WHICH CAN’T EVEN GET FULL LISTENS LET ALONE REPEATED LISTENS!) MORE THAN THIS?! THAT WAS THE MOST BORING MONOTONOUS PIECE OF TRASH I’VE HEARD IN YEARS!
OMG…. YOU GAVE THIS MASTERPIECE OF ART THE SAME RATING AS Yukmouth ‘The West Coast Don’?! YOU SHOULD BE FUCKING SHOT! (you might wanna call your boss cuz the customers are outside w/ molotovs & machetes!)
I HEREBY DEMAND AN OFFICIAL RE-REVIEW OF THIS ALBUM, BUT FIRST I WOULD LIKE A COMPETENCY REVIEW TO BE HELD FOR THE TSS ‘EMPLOYEE’ NAMED K1NG!
I approved the review. You gonna check my competence too muthafucka?
Shit, somebody needs to….you ain’t never listened to a Brother Ali album before either have you?…smh..at people that don’t like the music to begin with, reviewing the album. Ya’ll might just wanna go back & listen again cuz it DEF takes REPEATED listens to soak up ‘The Street Preacher’s knowledge….
I actually bought this album on the day it came out. It felt like I was a teenager again as I raced to the store after work on a Tuesday just to pick up a new record. The artwork is beautiful and I’m glad that I own it and not just a digital iTunes file.
I think this album has a feel-good vibe that is hard to describe. That is why I said that I believe that reviews are subjective. Based on that vibe alone, I would give this album a 4. The title track is inspiring and beautiful and alone it would deserve a 5. Splitting the difference, I would give it a 4.5. I admit that this is completely subjective on my part, but it is how I feel.
I’m glad that you take the time to write these reviews, put in effort to do so, and reply to comments intelligently. Keep it up. Thanks!
SMH when Pitchfork of all places gives a true hip-hop album a better review than TSS…oh yeah and every other website on the web that actually took the time out to review this album ALSO gave it a better rating than TSS….ever since they ‘upgraded’ this site it’s been downhill we go!
this album aint shit..in comparison with his other work…no way in hell is it Album of the year