Tech N9ne – Something Else
Strange Music: 2013
It is not Tech N9ne but Fox News anchor Mark Alford who provides the opening words to Something Else, the latest release from the Strange Music CEO. A dark, hopeless situation in Missouri is described by the newscaster during the first of three skits, as a small meteorite leaves the area in a state of emergency underneath ominously burgundy skies. Alford’s reports are preceded by the sound of shattering windows, car alarms, and dog barks, creating a disorderly atmosphere filled with chaos that is applicable to the album as a whole.
Rarely could a project composed of 24 songs and 32 features succeed fully, and this is no exception. The notorious indie MC ends Something Else with an assertion that is meant to be self-explanatory on the four-second closing track consisting of three words: “Strange… Music… Bitch.” Unfortunately, Tech leaves a bit of a mess in his wake, and more than just the vandalism reportedly inspired by him on the second rendition of “News With Mark Alford”.
The toll of having more features than a compilation album is noticeable throughout the album, but it is best exemplified on the song “With The BS”, which contains a generic, boring chorus and a lackluster feature from Trae tha Truth, who drags the rest of the song down thanks to some cringe-worthy lyrics (uninterestingly delivering the words, “Aim and bust, then I bust, then I bust and bust”).
On a broader level, Tech N9ne himself does not deliver as precisely or powerfully as he once did. His ad-libs, while undeniably original and of his own creation, are as tired as ever. Tech N9ne’s off-kilter, charged flow sounds subtly but noticeably sloppy on “Straight Out The Gate”, and when this observation is coupled with blatant mainstream bids such as the Wiz and B.O.B.-assisted “See Me”, something appears to be changing in a negative direction. The Seven-produced track “Love 2 Dislike Me” is perhaps the most musically frustrating moment of the entire project, attempting to blend heavy metal, hip-hop, and string-reliant pop/country. Experimentation is commendable, but the result of pushing certain boundaries is not always worthwhile.
It must be said that Something Else is not a horrible album by any means, nor is every single song unneeded or poorly executed. “That’s My Kid” is a beautifully penned, well-produced track that sees the featured artists implemented perfectly. Tech, a father of three children, addresses fatherhood and his past misdoings as a parent in a verse filled to the brim with emotion and reflective thought: “Instead of me watching them disappear in the night air/I’m at graduation saying that’s my kid right there.” Big K.R.I.T. extends a complementary hand, using his bars to offer advice for his unborn, sharing what he has learned in his 26 years of life. “Meant to Happen”, the fantastic song that follows, is just as potent and revealing: Tech recalls various moments in his life that, at the time, were unfortunate events (His rap moniker, and, in a sense, his career, is owed to an armed break-in when he was living with his Aunt). In retrospect, they had life altering impacts. There is an assortment of songs ranging from good to great on this LP, but their presence is disappointedly overshadowed and diluted.
If slimmed down by five or six records, Something Else could have been just that: a strong talent showcase serving as evidence for Tech N9ne’s seemingly everlasting source of alternative-rap sensibility and skill. Instead, he leaves it up to the listeners to pick and choose the gems amongst an otherwise redundant and prolonged collection of tracks. Until next time, this album is just something else.
3 out of 5
You can purchase Something Else on Amazon.
Oh, and by the way Alex, never have I said you claimed that you could do better in your review. Just saying you and other critics who actually bash on the great work of an album should try and do better than the artist themselves. Its called a suggestion, not a statement. You didn’t completely bash the album. Yeah, I understand that you like it, BUT you were not spot on in certain parts of your review.
Well, we will have to agree to disagree. I personally think you’re wrong on claiming Love 2 Dislike Me is sloppy. I think all different sounds of the track meshed together perfectly. But oh well.
Music is art, and all art is up for interpretation, especially when the “art” here is a particular song that I happen to dislike and you happen to enjoy. In general, I don’t think my thoughts on Something Else are the end all be all, nor do I think they are right, or correct. We disagree, which is just fine. I fully respect that you love this album (I like the album, I just think it could have been better if it was cut down a little).
Also, nowhere do I imply that I can do better. I am not a hip-hop artist or musician 🙂 Thank you for contributing to the discussion about the album.
Ummm. Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t critics nitpick as well? That still doesn’t help the fact of the reviewer’s misinterpretation of the artist’s work. Not every review is correct, just because one gets paid to do it, doesn’t mean that the person is automatically right either. Yes, he may have given a paragraph that was somewhat positive but giving the album 3 out of 5 is just poor judgement. I would love for some of these clowns to come up with their own album if they think they can do better. Making music is a lot harder than being a critic that just puts out his own two cents of what he THINKS, not knows.
Seems like you’re nitpicking, a bad song to someone can be great to you, and vice versa. And did you see the big paragraph praising Tech? lol
The score is okay. BUT the way the critic is describing certain songs including ‘Love 2 Dislike Me’ is like it was a total mess (clearly it wasn’t). Just saying, I could’ve done a better job reviewing this album.
“If slimmed down by five or six records, Something Else could have been just that: a strong talent showcase serving as evidence for Tech N9ne’s seemingly everlasting source of alternative-rap sensibility and skill” + 3/5 = the critic did like the album
Ya’ll know a 3/5 isn’t that bad, right?
Strongly disagreed with this review. All parts of the album was organized perfectly. So Dope was the song that showcased his rapid fire lyricism. Plus, Love 2 Dislike Me was a great mix of the three different genres in one song. Whoever this reviewer is, poorly described the album. These critics need to pull their heads out of their asses and know what they are talking about.
Ha!!! That was a joke right? Tech N9ne is pretty much the master of flow and he keeps getting better at his writing. After all he has achieved, there are still haters. Smh. Real hip hop is always ignored.
Not really. More like people who actually know good music especially more than what the critic knows. Retard.
“On a broader level, Tech N9ne himself does not deliver as precisely or powerfully as he once did. His ad-libs, while undeniably original and of his own creation, are as tired as ever.”
Best way to describe his flow at this point. It ruined the atmosphere of the album. there wasn’t any real emotion on this Album
Love 2 dislike me was a fucking sick song, this niggas full of shit
juggalos stay losin :””””””””
Oh no here come the Juggalos.
Tech’s the only one not afriad to try new shit, and it may take some time for u fucks to get down with it. but ive been following tech since absolute power and this album is fuckin wicked. TECHNICIANS, dont listen to this retarded review, albums AWESOME
Another review from someone sucking the cock of mainstream. Not surprised there’s 0 comments.