[twitter style=”vertical” float=”left”] [fbshare type=”button”] [google_plusone size=”standard” annotation=”none” language=”English (UK)”] First off, I don’t like rap or hiphop music.
Apart from the debut Marshall Mathers album, which really brought a breath of fresh air to the genre, and anything by Tupac Shakur who was an absolute genius in my book. I find the current massive array of rapper clones like Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne and Pitbull just a load of repetitive fake stereotypes.
Sure, they can sell records. But with those mega produced super shiny HD videos, all tits and butts, I’d sell a million downloads on iTunes too!
The question is, what are these super rich pussies telling us anyway?
Where’s the profound messages. Where’s the creativity?
I mean beside the beats and rhymes, what’s happening inside the music?
Then along comes Alex Pauken aka MC Sykosis, a nerdy kid from the gloomy ghettos of Maumee, Ohio. Who has just recorded and self-produced his brand new album entitled “Alex Pauken vs The World”.
MC Sykosis is the first rapper to be featured on Jamsphere, and I doubt there will be many more after him. He probably doesn’t know it yet, but Alex Pauken is making history inside a rock n’ roll magazine!
I would gladly have skipped this review and moved on to genres I like better. Problem is, if you’re serious about music, you can’t ignore talent, regardless of the genre. And this kid’s got it.
From the moment I listened to “Revisiting The Lost Planet”, the opening track on the album. I was hooked. Cinematic string arrangements, ethereal vocal choruses, handclaps and a solid 2/4 kick beat engulfed my stereo system.
“Means Of Production” took my conviction one step further. In came the concentrated Eminem-type verses all wrapped around a T-Pain sounding vocal chorus. Celestial orchestrated backing tracks, mixed over a thumped out rock-steady beat did the rest.
“The Blue Period” crashes in with a spacey dialogue and sweet strumming, acoustic guitars. You could easily mistake this for classic Linkin’ Park. MC Sykosis has just scored another point in my book!
On “I’m A Spaceman”, Alex switches on his Green Day and Blink 182 production mix, just to prove he can do more than rap. Smashing guitar riffs and snarling snare-drums come to the front.
“This Light Will Eat You Alive” showcases a roaring finger-bending bassline, while “Suicide Victim Wakes Up In A Cold Sweat” features a record scratching sound effect, that will make you believe you’ve blown a speaker. And MC Sykosis grabs another point for production creativity.
“Down In The Hole” is one of my favourite tracks. MC Sykosis shoots his rapid-fire rhymes in between a hypnotic chorus hook-line that will have you singing along in a flash.
“You’ll Hate This Next One, But It’ll Be Stuck In Your Head For Days” is a pure high powered rock ‘n roller, exhibiting heavy and very noisy guitars.
“Awakening The Lost Planet” is probably the best musical arrangement on the album. A big booming slap-bang instrumental, that you’d expect to hear accompanied by the opening titles of a James Cameron colossal.
“Alex Paulken vs The World” contains 16 tracks of creative music. Well recorded and arranged, which takes you over and above the specific genre of the music.
Throw in the catchy chorus lines, beats, loops and sounds. Plus the vibey street wise lyrics and very cool robotic vocal effects. All used in perfect doses.
And you have an album that trancends the barriers. Where it doesn’t really matter if MC Sykosis is a rapper or not.
All that matters is the music and the message it conveys.
Alex Pauken aka MC Sykosis is doing it!
VISIT THE MC SYKOSIS HOMEPAGE HERE
