Album Review: L.E.G.A.C.Y. – Suicide Music (2009)
Rating: 3 out of 5 Potholes
Suicide Music, the second album from the Justus League representative L.E.G.A.C.Y., may seem like a paradox at first. A rapper’s name associated with some sort of longevity with a title that implies an early death by one’s self appears to be quite the anomaly. But never fear, this Justus League alumnus hits us with his fifth solo album entirely produced by Khrysis.
Right off the bat, the fluidity on this album is what gives Suicide Music its edge. No small detail is spared in terms of production from the infomercial-sounding intro on “The Greatest” to the head-nodding and energetic kick-off displayed on the title track. L.E.G.A.C.Y. doesn’t slouch either, especially with his descriptive tone on “The Age (Fish)” and his ability to hold his own on “TKO” with the likes of Phonte, Sean Price and Chaundon. Also, L.E.G.A.C.Y.’s cadence is the asset, especially on “Fly So High” and “Four Cornered Room”.
The true highlight comes when “Looking Glass” appears. This track truly sounds like what the rest of the album should have sounded like. Khrysis’s dangling and descending synths complementing L.E.G.A.C.Y.’s stark delivery on “going out in a blaze of glory” referring to past musicians of our time who have lost their lives or taken their lives to another level only to leave us so soon. And that track in and of itself is what provides the ammo for Suicide Music.
That’s where the buck stops though. One listening to Suicide Music may think this is some sort of conceptual effort. However it’s an album filled with a very talented emcee and a very skilled producer. And that’s pretty much where the buck stops. There isn’t a centralized focus, it’s more a test of skill and wit within L.E.G.A.C.Y., and maybe that’s how Suicide Music is supposed to play out.
But don’t let that detract you from the well thought out minds of L.E.G.A.C.Y. and the board antics of Khrysis, who make Suicide Music worth the ride along. The album is around 33 minutes and 11 cuts, and no track goes over the three-minute mark, except for “Policia”. One imagines what could have been done with the project if they had extended it to about 45 minutes. But rest assured it is not something to slouch or pass on.
