Blue Scholars – Cinemetropolis
Self-released: 2011
The new album from the Seattle-based duo Blue Scholars, Cinemetropolis – their first in four years – starts off strong with two great tracks comprised of high-energy, synth-heavy beats and thought-provoking, political wordplay.
Then, after a few more tracks something unfortunate happens: the songs, their lyrical content and everything else begins to mush together and a feeling of repetition begins to set in. While it remains a decent piece of work, Cinemetropolis just isn’t a straight-through listen.
MC Geologic tackles a number of contemporary issues on the disc – everything from the economy and the destructive economic practices of the wealth to police brutality and unhealthy images of women portrayed in the media. Sadly, his cadence barely, if at all, changes from track to track.
And the beats provided by DJ Sabzi seem to vary only slightly when laid down next to each other back-to-back. There are just too many similar keyboard strokes and electronic blips melding together.
Far from horrible, the tracks on Cinemetropolis are just better separately than as a collection.
2.5 out of 5
Stream the title-track below.
