One of the more intimate and personal rappers around today, as the title of the album betrays, is none other than Open Mike Eagle, a recent signee to Mello Music Group and creator of an endearingly self-deprecating nerdy persona that works very well in conjunction with his lyrical abilities and topics. Collaborating with UK producer/songwriter Paul White, who puts an excellent foot forward on the jazzy, soulful, laid-back production of this album, he brings out his love for all things film and disdain for all things crooked. While there are some irritating and/or cringeworthy lines or inflections here or there, this is mostly just Open Mike being Open Mike, an awkward-yet-intelligent guy with a knack for obscure references. The quality of the album starts out well, and though it has a mildly shoddy first half, the second half of the album from "Leave People Alone" to closer "Reprieve" is an exercise in how to perform this style of hip-hop correctly. It's another in a line of great projects from Open Mike Eagle, who doesn't seem to be slowing down at all.
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