The Regiment – The Panic Button

The Regiment – The Panic Button
HiPNOTT Records: 2011

The Regiment, aka rappers IseQold and ISO, hail from Detroit and this month (September 2011) sees release of the duo’s The Panic Button. The 17-track effort has appearances from some of the boom-bap scene’s favorites: Apollo Brown, Beat Butcha (UK) and Kev Brown all lend a hand in the production department.

From the very first track I felt that I had established the measure of this album. The textbook introductory track entitled “R” has IseQold & OSI going back-to-back reciting lyrics to the listener, giving the reasons behind their “The Regiment” moniker. A strong, if slightly predictable start, showcasing the MCs’ unmistakable talent and verbal dexterity over a soul/orchestral sounding beat courtesy of Solution (who produces a further six tracks on the album). From there on, The Panic Button takes you on a safe but pleasant musical journey. The rappers’ subject matter occasionally varies, with historical references, love, money and greed all covered. Despite this subject matter variety, I still had a slightly indifferent and unimpressed opinion about this album.

Technically, there’s nothing wrong with this release at all. Both MCs are clear and easy to listen to. Their flows are well practiced and polished, maybe too polished. Tracks like “Beauty of a Day” cement my opinion. A fairly forgettable and inoffensive beat (again from Solution), with lyrics bordering on preachy – taking each day as it comes and not wasting time. The sixth track on the album: “Let Her Go” brings the Panic Button’s first guest vocalist in the form of singer Vincent J. Kelley. The uncharacteristically chilled Beat Butcha (UK) beat has light bass wobbles with soothing synths which suit both the MCs’ voices and Vincent’s R&B-esque sweet vocals.

In conclusion, 17 tracks were too many to keep my attention. Panic Button is a competent “real hip hop” experience. Everything on the album has a late ’90s feel, which I guess is up to the individual listener to decide of that is a good thing or not. The IseQold, OSI and Solution trio works best in my opinion. The Panic Button is a solid but safe album.

[audio:http://potholesinmyblog.flywheelsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/The-Regiment-Battle-Cry-prod-by-Apollo-Brown.mp3|titles=The Regiment – Battle Cry]

2 out of 5