Album Review: The Gift of Gab – Escape 2 Mars (2009)

Album Review: The Gift of Gab – Escape 2 Mars (2009)
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Potholes

Amazon: The Gift of Gab – Escape 2 Mars

You know you really ought to be scared about global warming when it begins making its way into hip-hop albums. Well, sorta. The Gift of Gab’s highly anticipated newest solo project, Escape 2 Mars, is loosely based around the concept of how humans have destroyed the earth with pollution, wars and all other ills that we bring upon the environment, and thus the remaining humans must escape to Mars. However, Escape 2 Mars narrowly avoids the concept album tag, because every track doesn’t really stay true to the theme.

Fans expecting to dive into a sequel to Gab’s marvelous first solo venture, 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, should pump the brakes. Gab has always been one for experimentation and innovation, and he proves that once again here. To match the album’s semi-theme, the production (helmed by oft-partner-in-crime Headnodic, and DNAE BEATS) is far more spatial, with a greater emphasis on futuristic synths, neglecting the organic soulful vibe found on Rocketships. The funky electronics ride over steady boom bap drum loops. Headnodic and DNAE BEATS make sure that none of the productions are too glitzy or showy, and rightly so, allowing Gab to steal the spotlight with his lyrical prowess.

And just in case you forgot the wickedness that Gab is capable of when he spits, he wastes no time in serving up a perfect reminder with “El Gifto Magnifico”, a track devoted to his quick-fire killing skills on the microphone. What’s great about Gab is that he lets his imagination run wild. He may never melt minds with great surprises like emcees like DOOM do, but Gab is capable of bringing about free-associative lyrics that, while at times deviating from the whole Mars theme, show off his unbridled creativity. Gab also takes on odd topics that many besides perhaps Del (who makes an appearance alongside Brother Ali on the tremendous “Dreamin’”), would dare tackle. Case in point: rapping about the vast extent of the universe and its entire splendor on “Lightyears”, or shouting out Mother Earth on multiple tracks. The back-to-back tandem of the title track “Escape 2 Mars” and “Electric Waterfalls” delivers an intense, but irresistible electronic infusion that really helps the album (pardon the pun) take off. On the latter is when Gab really delves into the environmental issues concerning mankind.

Rest assured, the ever-conscious Gab is not one to forget his message tracks. On “Some of the People” Gab depicts the beautiful diversity of people, and reminds us how everyone has gone through their share of struggles. In a similar vein, “Richman, Poorman” details a thoughtful dichotomy about class and wealth. Gab depicts a poor man who desires to live like the rich and wealthy, and then in turn showcases a rich man who has lost all soul and morals, and who no longer enjoys life. Gab concludes by suggesting that things are better in moderation – not too much, not too little – which, in some odd way, manages to tie back into his original thesis of Escape 2 Mars.

The Gift of Gab is clearly focused lyrically, and hasn’t lost his gift at all, as some have suggested over the years. The problems with this album lie in subtleties – a few cheesy hooks that really serve no great purpose, about two tracks of filler, and a concept that isn’t really a concept. Still, the flaws are not enough to knock this album from solidifying Gab’s talent, and adding to his excellent catalogue of material.

Small side note/question for those who have listened: Doesn’t the hook on “Spotlight” remind you of “Empire State of Mind”? Just a little? I thought so.