Asher Roth – The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2

Asher Roth – The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2
Self-released: 2013

Desperation is not always an easy state of mind to detect. In Asher Roth’s case, a seemingly heightened sense of distress is primarily hidden by an assortment of fronts. He offers a big smile on the cover artwork for his newest release, The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2, and projects a happy-go-lucky attitude mixed with the personality of a laid back, incessantly content guy. While it is impossible for me to prove whether these components of his image actually do serve as psychological barriers at times, it is reasonable to assume that the Pennsylvania native is nervous.

With each passing day, Roth’s legacy as a one-hit wonder in music further cements itself, but he has no intention of letting his past single solely shape the public’s opinion of him, working yet again to label himself as a “real rapper.”

In typical fashion, the 27-year-old rapper showcases his precise flows and wordplay. “Numbers” sees Asher Roth briefly and effectively rapping over Pusha T’s recent single and impresses with intricate internal rhyme structures line after line: “Heard before, Ash Roth, rap’s own herbivore/Lord of sore sportsmanship, throw shit when I don’t win.”

Highlights on The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2 are more than commonplace: Asher does not finish a single song without at least several displays of flows and rhyme schemes worth bragging about. Despite that, a subtle problem lurks beneath the surface of this mixtape. “Eggs Florentine”, the 12th track, exhibits my concern well. Roth adopts the idealistic sound of “real” rap, and boasts as much (“Spittin’ realer hip-hop, but listen to Joe Crocker”), but real hip hop is more than just an assortment of internal rhymes and punchlines, no matter how impressive. He raps nicely, but there is an absence of clear artistry. As a result, a lack of lyrical focus inhibits Roth’s most recent effort. Furthermore, certain tracks (such as the floundering remix to Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines”, or the cheesy “Apples & Bananas”) only add to the length of this project, which at 23 songs is in need of some serious fat trimming.

The aforementioned “Numbers” ends with a touch of symbolism and acknowledgment:  “Merlowing ain’t the only thing that slowly improves.” Like the aged wine utilized in this punchline, Roth admits and accepts that he has gained greater skill as his years in the rap game have increased. Following the consideration of this statement, one might recall “I Love College,” the breakthrough record that shined the spotlight on Asher while also restricting him to the “frat rap” subgenre, and then compare that song to his current efforts. Not only is the advancement and progression inarguable, it is rather astounding. The witty rhyme slinger has continually established himself as a rapper with an endless supply of humorous remarks and rewindable moments, and the second installment of The Greenhouse Effect will only push this persona forward, though not to the extent that Roth surely hoped for.

With the art of rap largely mastered, it is now up to Asher Roth to evolve into a full-fledged hip hop artist. Whether the public will allow for such a transformation to occur, however, is out of his hands.

3 out of 5