I’ve been promising this review to y’all forever and ever. There’s a very good reason for the excessive delay. Simply put, this isn’t the easiest album in the world to sit through. That’s not to say it’s garbage, because it’s not. Sean Paul has pretty much set up shop in the top 10 of Billboard’s Hip Hop list for his dance hall release, Dutty Rock. In fact, the one constant with every other review of this album is the phrase “…even if you don’t listen to this type of music, you’ll love this album”. Es verdad? Let’s find out together!
I’ve got to believe that this album’s sales are directly tied to the strength of its first two singles. Gimme The Light will surely offend the morality police as its shameless pro-drug lyrics blended with Sean Paul’s pitch on the hooks make for a smooth, seedless blend of the good stuff. The second single, Get Busy, is just as radio-friendly and an even better club song that’s still gett’in mad play in any after-hours joint you walk into.
Unfortunately, the rest of the album is very uneven and surprisingly flat considering the heat from the first singles. Shout is something of a re-introduction of Sean Paul to the streets. Despite the predictable production, it succeeds on the foundation of Sean Paul obvious charisma. The beats dramatically improve on Ganja Breed with a near flawless blend of drums and synth.
On the other side of the coin, Like Glue is a flaccid cut with the same played out subject matter that’s been covered a million times by every corner rapper lookin’ for a deal on the mix-tape circuit. Even worse are the corny and out-of-place efforts on I’m Still In Love With You and Punkie. It’s my eternal hope that the hip hop love song dies a swift and painless death in my lifetime.
It’s probably a little harsh to bash the lyrical content of a dance hall or reggae album. Most of y’all ain’t gonna understand the words even with the lyrics that are included in the liner notes. The majority of these tracks were made to make you move your feet…not make you think.
Still, I don’t think it’s asking too much for some coherency. The off-the-wall references are too numerous to list in their entirety, but we’ll try. Top of the Game links former heavyweight contender Mitch “Blood” Green with “pimp steam and Ming Li”. Concrete could probably be called Brickhouse 2K3 and even ends with a line about bein’ 2 Legit 2 Quit. There’s no word if David Robinson, Rickey Henderson and Tim McCyer will star in the video, though.
