Best Release
AngHellic (JCOR/Interscope)
Tech N9ne's major-label debut AngHellic is one of those rare hip-hop discs that blends party-ready choruses with genuine lyrical insights. The complex AngHellic sees Tech fearing fatherhood ("Real Killer"), hitting the strip clubs ("Here I Come," which memorably allows him to rhyme "Kansas City" with "scan the titties") and pledging fidelity ("This Ring"). Some reviews have misleadingly claimed that Tech's subject matter is too bleak for mainstream listeners, but in fact he's far more optimistic than most of his streetwise peers, especially when he celebrates his reasons to live on the inspirational "Suicide Letters." And the sparse but bouncy backdrops manage to match the songs' grim moods while remaining danceable. By the length of his red braids, Tech outdistances Shiner, who made a strong bid to repeat as Best Local Release title-holders by following up last year's Starless with the equally enjoyable The Egg. It was also a strong year for ambitious, experimental keyboard-decorated guitar rock: Season to Risk's The Shattering, The Higher Burning Fire's In Plain Song and The Appleseed Cast's double-album Low Level Owl all demand repeated listens.
Comments (0)