Album Review: MC Esoteric – Saving Seamus Ryan (2009)
Rating: 4 out of 5 Potholes
Buy Now! Esoteric – Saving Seamus Ryan
After putting down numerous fantastic efforts with 7L, Boston rapper Esoteric had developed a sizeable, almost cultish following. Recently however, Esoteric has been most focused on solo projects, although still collaborating with 7L from time to time. Earlier in 2009, Esoteric stepped into the role of full-time producer, releasing an instrumental album, Serve or Suffer, to great acclaim.
Saving Seamus Ryan, MC Esoteric’s newest solo project also finds Eso behind the boards for the majority of the 20 astounding tracks (he receives help from the aforementioned 7L as well as DC The Midi Alien). The production is dark and dense, painting a neo-noir backdrop, pulling odd sounds from the seediest allies in Boston. However this time, Eso adds his own raps to the project, which actually is the true focus here.
Saving Seamus Ryan is actually an intelligent tightly crafted concept album that unfolds as a story (the CD case is literally a story booklet). We open with Eso’s character, his real life persona of Seamus Ryan, parting ways with his beloved dog, an event that deeply hurts him. He decides to buy an expensive engagement ring in order to propose to his girlfriend. But as with any noir-ish piece of art, the city holds woes for the protagonist, as Seamus soon finds himself surrounded by a group of gangsters led by the notorious Benny Macko, played by the energetic Blacastan, who robs Seamus of his money and the ring, and shoots him (not dead). The plot unfolds with Eso trying (yet often to no avail) to piece his life back together – in the studio, with his girlfriend, dealing with industry ills, and evening the score with Benny Macko – all while dealing with his obnoxious manager/producer Indie Solo.
One of the highlights includes the spinning whirlwind of a track, “Bar Thief” where Seamus must deal with unoriginal rhymes, as well as detailing the effects that stress has on him. This is immediately followed by the humorous “I Rap Too Much”, which sheds light on Seamus’ inability to get laid (even by his own girlfriend) due to his obsession with rapping too much. Masta Ace appears as himself on “Ace’s Take” where he lends some useful advice to Seamus about Indie Solo, and the record industry.
MC Esoteric is on his game, both as a rapper and producer here. He has a knack for infusing authentic hilarious moments into the album (check the exchange between Seamus and his cab driver, the one and only Guru). He slices up story-relevant samples all throughout, and also brings in his love for comic books with Spiderman references in “Selling Spidey”.
What makes this album stand out from other concept albums is its fluid transition from one scene to the next leaving few plot obscurities. Furthermore, listeners who entertain the entire story will be rewarded with a wicked twist towards the end. Esoteric once again proves to be one of the most entertaining, versatile artists with Saving Seamus Ryan.
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