I didn't quite anticipate how much I ended up enjoying the previous two projects in the Murs catalogue (that would be ....The End Of the Beginning and Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition), and therefore the hype around his next effort is high enough that I've decided to listen to it right now. I mean, I've got the CD right here, so why not? Normal reviews are coming up soon too, though, and since it's the summer holidays, I'll have a lot more time to write over the next few weeks, so expect more frequent posts. And with that in mind, let's get on with the 8th solo project in the Murs catalogue.
After a fairly brief but incredibly successful stent working with underground giant label Definitive Jux, in which he released the two excellent projects I mentioned above, Murs decided to move on - this would prove to be a good idea, as the label went defunct just four years later, with El-P moving on to bigger things and most of the other "Jukies" falling off the face of the Earth - with the exception of Aesop Rock, that is. Murs seemed to want to remove himself from the shadow of the other, bigger artists on that label, and instead shine in his own right. He therefore made the decision to move to an independent L.A. record label called Record Collection, which was an interesting move considering there wasn't a single other hip-hop artist on the roster at that time aside from virtually unknown groups Brother Reade and Supreeme (well, unknown to me at least). Not only this, but he decided that instead of recording another solo album, he was going to team up with 9th Wonder once again to replicate the formula that made Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition so successful.
It was to be another ten track album, but this time there were a few differences. This project actually had two features, one from Joe Scudda (who admittedly had a couple of uncredited cameos on the last effort), and one from Rapper Big Pooh, the other member of Little Brother who hadn't been on one of these albums yet (if you'll remember, Phonte showed up last time around). Also, instead of a measly one-page booklet, the CD I'm looking at now has all of the lyrics printed up on individual pages, which is actually a great idea in my opinion. The most shocking factor of this record, however, was that it was completely profanity free. That's right - a proper rap album without any swearwords. The thought is unprecedented. I don't know if I'm going to be able to cope. The lack of curses has an explanation, though - I've heard some of the earlier episodes of Murs' Best Rapper In L.A. podcast (highly recommended listening, by the way), and he mentions that he finally got completely drug and alcohol free about at the same time he started working on this album. This may have meant that he wanted to bring this new him into the booth, and if that's so then I appreciate it very much. And, hey - this was the first Murs album to chart on the Billboard 200, and it wouldn't be too long before he was signed to a proper major label, so clearly the idea worked in his favour.
But will it work in mine? I've actually already heard three of these songs ("Murs Day", "Murray's Law" and "Yesterday & Today"), and I bloody love all of 'em, but I've got to remember that that was the case with Murs Rules the World too, and that ended up being his weakest album so far. Still, if this is anything like the last album (which the similarly old-school cover suggests it will be), then I'll be bloody happy, I can tell you. So let's get going! But not before I get this fucking fly out of my room...
Again, all songs are produced by 9th Wonder.
[*commence inevitably disastrous attempts to catch and get rid of the fly*]
1. Murs Day
Anyone else find it interesting how 8 years after this song, Murs formed a group with ¡MAYDAY!, and decided to call it ¡MursDay!, which is basically the same thing as this song title despite having no relationship to it? No? Well, I do. Anyway, this is even better than the intro track on 3:16 in my opinion. Murs absolutely rocks this incredibly poignant 9th instrumental with one of the best verses he has ever spit, and we can already see from this track that he's getting a hell of a lot wiser. "I'm better than your favourite rapper, but it don't take much these days for you to master the mic. Most of these rappers trapped in the hype, they makin' whole albums, only half of it's tight. So it never really have an impact on your life". I mean, these are just some incredible and incredibly truthful lyrics. I also really liked the shouts to some of his previous projects and songs on here, and even though I don't like when the beat cuts out on the word "genius", that doesn't stop this from being a classic Murs tune, and possibly his best opening track yet.
2. Murray's Law
I don't think I've mentioned this yet, but "Murray" seems to refer to the pairing of Murs and 9th, judging by the image behind the disc on their last effort, which labelled the pair of them as "fuckin' Murray". "Murray's Law" is easily one of my favourite Murs songs yet, as Murs takes a spacey and bouncy 9th instrumental, which utilises some incredibly catchy horns, and rips it to shreds with three of his best ever verses. That first verse is just quotable after quotable, and best believe he doesn't slow down during the rest of the track either. I also like the peaceful and positive lyrics on this one - who said you had to be gangster and hard to make great hip-hop? This is also one of the few times I actually appreciate the abrupt cut off. This song might my personal favourite Murs song ever, it's that wonderful.
3. Silly Girl (feat. Joe Scudda)
It seems we've got to accept that these sex songs are going to become a running theme in the Murs & 9th Wonder collaborative albums. But hey, if they're all as good as this, then I'm not complaining. 9th Wonder provides another soulful and very atmospheric beat for this one, and Murs spits two verses about this girl who keeps attempting to get him back, but it just isn't going to work, no matter what she tries. These two verses along with the chorus were all really nice and fun, and then Joe Scudda comes in with the third verse and kills it with a performance full of personality and charisma. This may not be as good as "Never Eat" or "Freak These Tales", but it's still pretty damned fun nonetheless. Great stuff.
4. Barbershop (feat. Rapper Big Pooh)
9th Wonder provides yet another beautiful and incredibly relaxing instrumental, and up until guest star Rapper Big Pooh started rambling on at the end as rappers tend to do, this was an absolute joy to listen to. Murs and Pooh speak on their etiquette when going to the barbershop (or any social gathering for that matter), and with some general brag raps thrown in there as well, but the execution is just so fun and hilarious that you can't help but love it. Murs sounds quite a bit better than his guest, but nonetheless Pooh does his thing, and that chorus is one of the catchiest of Murs' career thus far. I absolutely loved this song.
5. Yesterday & Today
Murs has never shied away from the more motivational material, and we saw him kick verses to get any depressive up and about on songs like "What Do You Know?" and "Sucks To Be You", but this is probably his most motivation focussed song yet, as it seems all of the verses are dedicated to getting you up and at 'em again. Now, there are songs like this that fail, but this ain't one of them. "How I look a grown man with my lunch in a box?" is a personal favourite line, as it makes you realise how that actually does look rather silly, but there are plenty more on here that are more well thought out than that - I don't know, that one just sticks out to me. Murs' hook game has also improved to no end since the days of "I Hate Your Boyfriend", as this shit is memorable as hell. 9th's sampling game has been on full form so far on this album too. This track was great.
6. Dreamchaser
Finally, a proper storytelling track, and this was the best cut so far since "Murray's Law" in my opinion. During the first verse, Murs talks about himself growing up, and dreaming of being like the hardcore thug he sees on the corner, who's constantly getting shot, going to prison, and in general not living the sort of life any kid should aspire to. This verse serves to show how the kids living in the hood end up wanting to pursue goals that they shouldn't, and the final line of the break "We all chase money 'cause we scared to chase dreams" is a quotable if ever I've heard one. The second verse is set eleven years later, when Murs himself has become the toughest and most feared guy on the block, and despite this he (spoiler) ends up getting shot and killed at the end, in an abrupt and rather harrowing ending. This is one of my favourite Murs songs, and the fact that he is constantly bringing these innovative messages to the table is truly astounding to me. Also, this beat is nice.
7. L.A.
8. Love & Appreciate
Hey, look everyone! A Murs love song where he doesn't act like an insensitive and/or really sad douchebag! On this one, Murs spends the first verse acknowledging that his relationship is on the rocks, and that him and his lover no longer are seeing each other through the best eyes. On the second verse, he and her decide to fix things, and everything ends happily ever after. I wouldn't say I was incredibly mesmerised by this one, as the instrumental was easily the least unique and engaging so far, but nonetheless I did appreciate Murs' lyrical content on this track, and the sampled hook was nice. Solid stuff. Also, I'm surprised he didn't notice that "L.A." could stand for "Love & Appreciate" - maybe I'm looking into it too much.
9. D.S.W.G. (Dark Skinned White Girls)
Hilarious title aside, this song is actually pretty serious. From the title, I was expecting something satirical, but instead I got some empowering verses from Murs spit over what was easily the most tear-jerking beat on this whole thing. I'm actually slightly disappointed that Murs chose this instrumental for this topic, and not a darker storytelling song instead, as that beat just makes me want to start bawling my eyes out. In the best way possible, that is. Man, that beat was good, and even if the lyrics weren't suited to it, I still can't fault Murs for his thought provoking and very mature bars. I enjoyed this one a hell of a lot more than I thought I would, considering the title.
10. Murray's Revenge
So far, Murs has not missed on a title track, so let's hope this one goes well. And, as I sort of predicted, it did, only to a further extent. This is not only one of the best 9th Wonder beats I have ever heard, but it's also easily one of Murs' better rapping performances. I'd advise anyone who says Murs isn't a great lyricist to chuck this track on, as it truly is a lyrical onslaught, and that 9th Wonder helps it go down as easy as a bowl of custard. This track was great man - but why'd the CD have to cut off so abruptly? Da fuck??
In conclusion, Murray's Revenge is pretty much on the same level as 3:16: The 9th Edition. I wouldn't say that this project has as good of a song as "Walk Like a Man", or as much of a banger as "H-U-S-T-L-E", but on the other hand 9th's production has slightly improved here, and there's nothing even remotely as bad as "The Pain" (and if there was then that would have been quite something). Yeah, I absolutely loved this record. If I was to make one criticism, it would be that Murs was a little too serious on this project and not as witty as he was on his earlier work, but as you get older you'll inevitably get wiser, and I guess we've just got to accept that Murs ain't gonna make another "Risky Business". Or maybe he will, who knows. And there was a notable lack of storytelling tracks, with the only proper one being "Dreamchaser", which is a shame as I always love Murs' attentive and often hilarious tales. However, it's best that we get to the positives now, as there are a lot more. Every single beat on this thing is incredible, bar none, and 9th Wonder really outdid himself here. Sure, I said that "Love & Appreciate" was a bit duller than the others, but even that one would still stand great on its own. And looking at the best instrumentals - "Murs Day", "Murray's Law", "Dreamchaser", "D.S.W.G.", "Murray's Revenge", I could go on. The beats I named there are easily some of the best Murs ever rapped over, and man did he do them justice. Sure, there were three songs dedicated to the ladies, as there were last time, which is a bit overkill for an album that's only ten tracks to begin with, but at least Murs seems to know how to approach that topic with variety and good intentions at this point, instead of making another "I Hate Your Boyfriend" or "The Pain". "Dreamchaser" was one of his best storytelling songs, "Yesterday & Today" has some of his most uplifting verses, and the more braggadocios tracks are some of the most effective I've ever heard from Murs. I'll have to take a little more time to decide whether this is better or worse than Murs 3:16, but either way, it's another brilliant record, and one I highly recommend. It's no surprise Murs managed to get a major label deal after this - I mean, how many classics can you make before being noticed? And a "classic" might just be what this is.
Expectations: Exceeded, considering I wasn't sure if this would stand up to the last album.
Best Track: "Murray's Law"
Worst Track: "Love & Appreciate"
More write-ups about the man that's swiftly making his way towards my top ten to be found here!
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