METABEATS - METAPHYSICAL | FLY

Well, in a word, no. This in itself is not a problem, as well-crafted work doesn’t always have to be innovative in order to have any worth. But when the (barely comprehensible) press release promises something entirely fresh and new, it has a lot to live up to. Whereas on the first few tracks it actually seems like the album will in fact provide absolutely nothing new or fresh.

Leaden beats, uninspired scratching and tired, aggressive raps left me feeling thoroughly discouraged; if this is the best that UK hip hop has to offer, then we might as well just pull out the London Posse CDs now. But then, on track 4, the bizarre skit entitled ‘Dan Zacks’, it all starts to look a lot brighter: it sees a cheesy American DJ rambling over a choice soul sample; sounds weird, but it works.

And from then on, while not exactly groundbreaking, the tracks do get a whole lot better. The samples from soundtracks and obscure soul records start to sound like they’ve been thought about, rather than just being chucked in because it sounded so good when Portishead did the same thing. And while the beats never exactly move beyond thudding, a little bit more bass seeps in to bring some soul to the party.

And then, after a run of good, if not great tracks including the swinging ‘Know Now’; the mournful, piano-led ‘The Diver’; Live And Let Live, with its canny use of a funky guitar loop; and the Jay-Z inspired anti-drugs rap of ‘White Girl (Cocaine)’, it all goes wrong again. The penultimate two tracks, ‘Pump This’ (with the rather apt lyric “it’s the same old, same old”) and ‘Meta’s Cypher’, are little more than rap-by-numbers plastered over bland beats and samples. Thankfully final track ‘Outro’ manages to pull it back again with its wonderful horn sample.

All in all, this is a good album and one that shows signs of how Metabeats could become the great producer his PR agency obviously think he is. But when you consider the land-marks of British hip hop, from London Posse to Massive Attack to Skitz, The Brotherhood to Roots Manuva to Dizzee Rascal, it’s hard to justify mentioning Metabeats in the same breath. Or at least it is for now — let’s hope that changes.

ciaran norris obviously a hater,how can u compare dizzee rascal to metabeats or massive attack ,3 totally different styles altogether.get back in your little box mr norris you obviously no very little about quality uk hip hop.And with regards to the portishead comment ,just for the record portishead have been in touch with metabeats label to pay him a massive compliment on his outstanding l.p.with the possiblity of a collabo in the pipeline.

Rob - I really would hate for people to think that I’m a ‘hater’; all I was trying to say was that (IMO) the album didn’t live up to the hype, but that there is obviously talent there & I hope it builds as time goes on.

Calling someone a hater for a less than glowing review is a poor attempt to shut down people’s views. If all you want to read is incredibly positive reviews, go to a site that is selling you CDs, this one is about opinions. Ciaran wrote a very fair review.

Thanks Damian.

Rob - one other thing; you’re right, Massive Attack, Dizzee, Skitz etc all make very different music, but it’s all British, all has it’s roots in hip-hop and albums they released actually changed the musical landscape.

The point I was trying to make was that the release that came with this album was claiming the same for Metabeats, and I don’t think that anyone would seriously argue that this record will change anything.

Hey there Ciaran,
I’ve just read some of the feedback you’ve had there. As the person who runs the label that released this album (and truly loves it myself) I thought I’d let you know we appreciate hearing your views. It’s nice to get good honest feeback. And after all you called it a good album anyway. It’s also nice to know there are people out there who feel enthusiastic enough about it to voice their support.

It’s a win win for us I guess.
Easy
Mayor

Hi Mayor,

Thanks for the comment; like I said, I really didn’t want to be a ‘hater’ - the LP just didn’t excite me as I’d hoped it would.

I’ll certainly be looking out for his stuff in the future and hope that he just gets better.

Cheers

Yes Yes Ciaran,
No fear. You’re not a hater. You’re a reviewer with your own opinion and we totally respect that. I sometimes fear that good musical journalism is dying out so I got total respect for good honest forthright reviews. Nepotism and favouritism to the obvious front runners are killing off good journo’s if you ask me. Keep doing what you do.

Peace
Mayor
AssociatedMinds

whilst i understand that Dizzee & Massive attack have made an obvious dent and found a neiche in the UK Hip Hop market, I beleive that Metabeats & crew have established their own sound that will become alot more apparent when you hear more from them. I’ve always looked up to all of the boys that form Quiet Poison & Metabeats has had an ear for good music from the day i met him. The album is SICK and the perfect intro to the long and inevitable successful career of Metabeats!! ive got a few of his older beats which i beleive a few different artists on the label will be using and they are amaising! sometimes its not about innovativity, just crisp production that works and paves way for a sick MC to make the tune shine!

Big ups Metabeats and all Associated Minds!! Big things to come!!!

Tony,

Cheers for the comment; I totally agree that it’s not all about innovation (in fact one of the first things I said was “well-crafted work doesn’t always have to be innovative in order to have any worth.”)

My main point was that Dizzee and the like have pretty much changed the landscape and I don’t think this album will (although the release that went with it tried to claim it would).

That said, the guy’s obviously got talent in abundance and I look forward to watching him develop.

I picked up this album as a cheap promo in vinyl exchange in Manchester, im a big fan of uk hiphop mainly Jehst, taskforce, rodney P, Skinnyman and i love this album didn’t expect to as I only picked it up because i noticed that Ralph rip featured im now well into it and give it a good listen every week or so and will be keeping a look out for further releases. I can thoroughly recommend the album, good work.
Void