A Review of CunninLynguists' Strange Journey Volume One

The following is my not so quite track-by-track review of the rap group CunninLynguists' mixtape, Strange Journey Volume One:


Departure (Intro)

After hearing this unoriginal, smug, and fake sounding introduction, I'm not looking forward to the rest of the CD.

2. Nothing But Strangeness (Featuring Looptroop Rockers & Hilltop Hoods)

The beat starts off promising. Then some bells come in, and the track just reminds me of the superiority of Pete Rock's beats in his heyday. I'm bored and the vileness of the lyrical content doesn't help. The nice vocal sampling that started the track and hinted at the it's potential comes back for the hook. Among the rest of the production, the sample is rendered unappealing.

3. Lynguistics (Live In Stockholm)

It sounds like the live vocals were blended in with a studio-built master track. It sounds weird on first listen, the way "The Food" on the finished version of Common's Be did.

Eventually "Lynguists" builds to a perfect ending, with the studio track dropping out to shine on the sound of the live audience cheering.

4. Move

This one is decent. Strong production combined with charismatic rhyme delivery make for the best all around track in this collection.

5. Spark My Soul (Featuring Substantial)

The first MC to rhyme doesn't have a voice that lends him any business to continue his rapping career without lots of work stepping up his skills, which aren't bad. After the second MC comes in, I decide that I don't want to listen to the rest of Strange Journey Volume One.

Only the beginning of track 11, "Georgia (Remix) [Feat. Killer Mike & Khujo Goodie]," up to the beginning of the second verse sound good enough to where I'll listen again. From there it's back to the album's business as usual. And business is not too good.

Fortunately, this isn't an official album. There is lots of room for CunninLynguists' to grow before Volume Two drops. That should help with the expansion of ideas and the tightening up of skills in all aspects, from production to vocal delivery. In short, if this rap group sticks to the formulas that worked on the minimal amount in this volume, they could end up making something I'll listen to from beginning to end while hoping for more.