CunninLynguists - Strange Journey Volume One (Review:Ben)

It was with great disappointment that I saw this album uploaded this week. I was even more disappointed upon being given it as an album which I had to review. Me and hip-hop/rap go together like Weetabix and warm milk. Given the choice, I'd willingly rather have blended my balls than have to listen to an album of hip-hop or rap. However, the powers that be gave me CunninLynguists and doing my best to keep an open mind I began to listen.

I'd been told not to read much into the intro entitled 'Departure' and so did exactly that and ignored the ridiculous ramblings it contained. 'Nothing But Strangeness' was a much more enjoyable track and was everything I expected it not to be. It had thought-provoking lyrics (an ever-present characteristic of the album) and a nice beat to it. The only thing I found missing was a decent chorus. This is something which I often have a problem with in rap/hip-hop music as it is this part of the song which helps form my first opinion of a song. It is almost something I expect from the structure of a song and so when I don't hear one or one which is good enough I often find myself a little annoyed.

Another characteristic of albums in this genre which tends to envoke feelings of my dismay is the need for interludes or quick one minute tracks. I can't help but feel they are not neccessary and just pre-long the album. I've never enjoyed this type of track and whilst 'Lynguistics' is not truly an interlude as such, it fits in to that kind of style enough to annoy me with its presence. However, what followed was about as good a song as I've ever heard in this genre of music. 'Move' is a fantastic song. It relies heavily on a fantastic piece of backing music but that is exactly what I enjoy most about it. The song is produced so well and the vocals flow so brilliantly with the song, it really is an enjoyable track.

Evidently from the tone of my review, I've strangely enjoyed this album. It's not without its filler tracks such as 'Hypnotized' and 'White Guy Mind Tricks' but the strength of the standout tracks is more than enough to carry the album. The depth in tracks such as 'Die For You', 'Georgia' and 'KKKY' is astounding. There are so many layers to the songs and this is something I never though possible from the hip-hop genre. I've not been able to fully appreciate the lyrics on this album as I was so taken aback at how much I'd enjoyed the tracks and definitely need to listen again to take the lyrics in fully but even so, they've still left a lasting impression.

I see albumswap's number one advantage being that is a vehicle for encouraging each of us to listen to albums that if it weren't for albumswap, we never would have heard. I've heard Elliott play this album before and previous offerings from CunninLynguists and always dismissed it as not for me. However, having listened to this album, I have to concede that I was extremely wrong in my naive, judgemental opinion. Hip-hop/rap is a genre which is easily written off as 'all about guns, bitches and dollars' but this album is about much more than that. Lyrically it is much more complex than that and discusses a number of different issues which people wouldn't normally expect from such a record.

Somehow, the likes of 50 Cent and his cohorts manage to hog the limelight within the rap/hip-hop genre and it is no surprise that many people's opinions of it as a genre are poor based on what such media-loved acts have to offer. However, CunninLynguists offer so much more than this and deserve much more recognition for a fantastic record.

I've had to swallow my pride and admit that this album was much better than I ever could have expected but it is with no reluctance that I give it a fully deserved 5/5.