Album Review: T.Q.D - Clench, Grit, Breathe (2009)
Rating: 3 out of 5 Potholes
Rappers who come from Minnesota, home to the now well known hip-hop labels/collectives Rhymesayers and Doomtree, are often subjected to elevated expectations – and rightly so. The area is rich with creative talent, often blending various musical styles with ridiculously intricate wordplay and storytelling to craft some of the most intriguing American hip-hop albums of the decade. 2009’s Clench, Grit, Breathe marks T.Q.D’s sophomore solo project, coming after a solid debut and a collaborative EP.
At times working with members from the Doomtree collective, T.Q.D raps with a raspy voice, delivering well thought-out rhymes in a similar style to Doomtree’s own P.O.S., who has recorded with T.Q.D in the past. The lyrical style on Clench, Grit, Breathe shows a creative growth that has taken place since his first two projects. T.Q.D has adopted a story-telling rap scheme that works to his favor, although it remains unclear to what extent his stories represent personal experiences (after all, he is known for personal recordings). Furthermore, his story-telling creates a somewhat neo-noir-ish feeling full of dark chills, and suspect situations, which is especially evident on “Fall Asleep.”
The album has its share of lighter moments too, which provide interesting distinctions from track to track, showing that T.Q.D clearly has a versatility to create different atmospheres with his lyrics. And it is in this manner that T.Q.D’s Clench, Grit, Breathe is a rollercoaster of an album, leaving the listener with highs and lows of sharp contrast. From a production standpoint, the beats move the stories along at a quick pace to ensure interest throughout, and even incorporate various unexpected instruments in order to craft unique soundscapes which complement T.Q.D’s rhymes and ideas very nicely. Sure to be a mainstay in the Minnesota hip-hop scene for years to come, T.Q.D’s sophomore album is a well-placed step in the right direction, and leaves space for him to build upon for future projects.
