Review Summary: This Bomb was code-named: The Czar
What do you get when you throw
Inspectah Deck together with the Boston-based Hip-Hop Duo
7L & Esoteric? Well, a new and refreshing sound to Hip-Hop is the result, with one of the most memorable debuts from a collaboration-group in some time. With confident performances and solid production, this is a solid blueprint for future artists to take note of. The re-pay value on this is high, and after five listens,
Czarface has yet to get stale. Lets talk about why.
From the first layered beat within the intro, the listener can tell that this record is different. Hearing "At 286 kilos... Czarface!" leads into the album's opener,
Air 'Em Out. Instantly, when the beat drops and Inspectah Deck starts to spit, everything starts to blend. Inspectah and Esoteric work so well together on this record, as they do an amazing job feeding off each other's flow as the rhymes hit. Listen to
Cement 3's if you need more convincing of this dynamic duo. Many of the guest appearances also do prime work on their contributions. Ghostface Killah for instance does some sick work in
Savagely Attack. Oh No on
Czar Refaeli is also another notable contribution. However Inspectah and the other MC's are only half of the formula to the success of Czarface.
7L, Spada4, and DJ Premiere are the crew responsible for the production of this record. They all seem very confident in production, as all of the beats feel fresh and well layered. They time pauses well, and balance the bass and sound well throughout the record. Czarface sounds and feels like a throwback to classic nineties and underground hip-hop sound. Many of the tracks radiate this tone, and feed Inspectah and 7L exactly what they need to execute their flow. The only thing better than beats themselves are all the pop-culture references embedded within. Transformers, X-men, Pro-wrestling and G.I. Joe are only a few to be identified. The great thing about these references are that they actually fit really well with the tone of the record, adding an extra layer into Czarface that fits towards the tone and feel, making this record feel slightly different from other Hip-Hop releases.
Lyrically, Czarface also is somewhat refreshing to hear. Some moments do feel a little dull. Thankfully only one or two tracks don't seem to as well as the others.
It's Raw is one of them. For some reason that track just seems slightly out of place from the rest of the record. However, hearing Esoteric flow this segment during
World War 4 brought back the appeal. Its goes:
Kodiak jaws, titanium fangs
88 slang, gladiator tap your vein
A X-Man off the map with the realest rap
I come back with a star on the shield of cap
I seal the gap, mechanical tentacles identical to Doctor Octopus
Harry Potter books can't describe my looks
I'm part King, part Mark Twain, I'm arcane my bar is mean
The way Esoteric flows quickly with this segment and also spots on
Poisonous Thoughts clearly shows the effort and time put into this album. I also have to mention another great guest appearance from
Mr. Muthaf**ckin Esquire during the same track. However
Shoguns seems like one of the few guest appearances that did not work so well. The track itself just did not flow as well as the rest of the songs on the album. However, the closing track,
Hazmat Rap ends the record on a positive note. After a small intro, Inspectah opens with one of his many shining moments on this album. It was strange to hear the energy put out by this track as a closer. It was a good sense of strange. While mostly enjoyable, it is somewhat sad to realize this is the last track on the album. Even though it was sad to hear the end, at slightly over 46 minutes in length, Czarface does not feel like this is overly long or short, but at the right amount of time.
This is arguably, one of the strongest Hip-Hop releases of 2013 thus far. With strong production, high-replay value , and slick rhymes, Czarface proves to be a solid release. I'm sure these guys will have a lot to follow-up to in the future. It is exciting to think about what mad experiment
Czarface will craft in the future. If it is anything life their debut, this reviewer is already waiting for it.
Recommended tracks:
Cement 3's
Savagely Attack
World War 4
Poisonous Thoughts
Czar Refaeli
