Review Summary: deplorable, but surprisingly satisfying
For all intents and purposes, this album should be an utter failure. Mickey's lyrics are vulgar and senseless, his subject matter is deplorable and repetitive, (Mickey does an obscene amount of drugs, Mickey has obscene amounts of sex and a large penis, Mickey is a bad ass/a worthless street bum, etc.), and his song structures are equally repetitive and formulaic. At first glance, there doesn't seem to be an ounce of creativity on this album – just another rapper talking about how awesome he is and how bad life is on the streets. Blah blah blah.
Yet somehow, Mickey Avalon's debut manages to be catchy, unique, and, at times, quite hilarious. Despite being nonsensical and utterly obscene, Mickey's lyrics are extremely clever and well-delivered. His vulgarity is able to stay fresh and funny, and for a man who claims to have “never even learned to say his ABC's” his style and vocabulary are surprisingly varied and complex. Even more surprising (and impressive) is Mickey's ability to convey the bleakness and gloom of a desperate, heathenish street life. What sets Mickey apart from other mainstream rappers with similar content is the combination of his wit, cynicism, and, most importantly, being a gifted story-teller. The result is a collection of satisfyingly absurd tracks that stay strong listen after listen. (Trust me on this, the album is playing on repeat while I write this review, and I find myself continually smirking at its lyrics).
Credit must also be given to the album's production. The beats are just as responsible for its overall catchiness as Mickey's lyrics, each one supplying the perfect atmosphere for the song's subject matter. When Mickey is dark and gritty, the beats match seamlessly. When Mickey is being vulgar and hilarious, the beats are dope as ***, and lend Mickey the credibility he needs to brag about himself on all eleven tracks.
If Eminem's Relapse didn't satisfy you (which it probably didn't), and you are still craving some new material by a jaded and obscene white rapper who truly doesn't give a ***, Mickey Avalon's debut is what you're looking for. Just as hilarious as an Eminem album (albeit with a little darker humor), Mickey Avalon will leave you feeling disgusted and delighted at the same time. It's a guilty pleasure, and I think that's exactly what it's intended to be.
