BACK TO MAIN
By Simon Sweetman - Stuff.co.nz
When Vancouver's Swollen Members burst on to the hip-hop scene it was an entirely different rap game.
And Swollen Members' infectious group raps and lively production harked back to classic old-school cool - such as Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - but since their very strong debu (Balance, 1999) and their near-perfect sophomore release (Bad Dreams, 2001) the state of play is very different in the world of hip hop.
The rise (and eventual sell-out) of Black Eyed Peas and Jurassic 5 combined with Eminem and his posse (50 Cent, Obie Trice) who all use funk-filled grooves to peddle mainstream rhymes and appeal to the mass market and fans of underground acts simultaneously.
And so to Heavy, the new Swollen Members album, and while Bottom Line comes over all Eminem, Burn It Down retains a darker edge.
I was going to say that I was disappointed with the new blatantly commercial angle that the band is pursuing - but it's natural. These are different times.
A bonus DVD with videos and backstage footage adds value to the package.
December 18, 2003 [Stuff.co.nz]