Firstly, thank-you to Pair-A-Dyce, Rediculus from Knowledge Giving Birth Productions, and of course our boy Tricksta from Park Street PR for hooking us all up in the first place.

Alright, so I don’t usually use the word ‘crossover’ much. I mean, yes I have alluded to records or artists having crossover status before, and I have basically called an artist every other word but that, whilst still pretty much meaning it. However, I try my best to not to use it too much, or at least dress it up in flowery sentences, just so I don’t run the risk of overusing it. Otherwise, pretty soon the word would lose all meaning, and my huge fan base may abandon me for greener pastures. On this occasion however, I’m going to use the word crossover, because that’s the first word that came to mine when I finished listening to Pair-A-Dyce’s new record ‘The Chronicles Of Dyce’. If you’re a backpacker with giant headphones, and still in denial over the fact that the 90’s and early 2000’s have ended, then you’ll enjoy this. In the same way, if you’re a bit of a dummy, and think nursery rhymes make perfectly acceptable rap songs, then you’ll enjoy this too. How so I hear you ask? Well, let me explain. For all of us in between, to the side, or on a completely different tip, you’ll like this if you’re a fan of hip-hop that still retains its DIY style, yet has space for some really catchy hooks. Simply put, it’ a fun record. It’s fun enough for the aforementioned dummies to not immediately realise they’re being educated, well until they’ve discovered they’ve learnt 7 new words and it’s too late. On the complete flipside, Pair-A-Dyce has the content and intelligence that will keep any real hip-hop fan happy too (that’s right, I said real, and what?).

The more you listen to it, the more extra parts, or little tweaks in sound and style you hear. The production is handled by a group of different heads, Rediculus, Glasshouse Productions, Kayser9Soze, and Irish Moss. This of courses adds to the diversity of the record, and whilst some of the producers may be on the more ‘classic hip-hop’ side of things, the other half display more leftfield ideas and beats. I really enjoyed the different ideas and approaches that the 5 individual teams came up with. It gave the album an overall feel of variation and experimentation.

Coming back to the rapper himself. Pair is a very good storyteller, and his very matter-of-fact style of subject analyse was a nice surprise. He managed to discuss, and touch upon some pretty heavy, and weighty subject matter with the same manner of some of his lighter songs-which I thought was pretty impressive. The energy of the record as a whole is very light (which is why it might appeal to the ones previously mentioned, that aren’t interested in actual words, rather just beats and melodies), and it might rake some listens through until you really think about some of the content he’s rapping about.
In a way I think ‘Chronicles..’ could help take us back a few years, to when hip-hop on the mainstream radio was also the same as what was being played on the pirate stations too. I’m not saying he’s going to start a musical revolution tomorrow, but it’s poppy enough to appeal to a wider demographic, but smart enough not to sell out.

I’d say that was a good line to leave it on, so I’ll say go cop this album. Not just because we’re the official British sponsors, or that Knowledge Giving Birth Productions is a rad company. No, because if it was bad, we wouldn’t be reviewing it or stamping our big ol’ name across the cover either. We stand behind everything we support, and this is no exception.

-Words: Aimee

To download the album for free head over to Pair-A-Dyce’s site www.pairadyce.com/download-chronicles-of-dyce

01 – Pair-A-Dyce – For My G’s (Prod by Jon Glass for Glasshouse Productions)
02 – Pair-A-Dyce – Rap Tales ft. Nahlidge (Prod by Kayser9soze)
03 – Pair-A-Dyce – Ride Or Die (Prod by Jon Glass for Glasshouse Productions
04 – Pair-A-Dyce – Changes (Prod by Kayser9soze)
05 – Pair-A-Dyce – Wanna War (Prod by Kayser9soze)
06 – Pair-A-Dyce – Real Life (Prod by Irish Moss)
07 – Pair-A-Dyce – The Old Me (Prod by Jon Glass for Glasshouse Productions)
08 – Pair-A-Dyce – Road Less Traveled (Prod by Kayser9soze)
09 – Pair-A-Dyce – What You Need (Prod by Jon Glass for Glasshouse Productions)
10 – Pair-A-Dyce – Kiss Goodbye (Prod by Jon Glass for Glasshouse Productions)
11 – Pair-A-Dyce – Yesterday (Prod by Kayser9soze)

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Alright, here’s the deal. I have to be honest, and admit that I was a little skeptical before listening to this EP. I’d listened to ThinkTank’s other releases, and really enjoyed their track ‘Spoondolee’, but I was still left with a feeling that these dudes needed a lot more time to grow. However, being the super open-minded, lover of the world and all things ever, I put my judgements aside and did my best to listen without any preconceived notions. Well, well whaddyano, after that whole song and dance was over, once the first few minutes kicked in, that judgment I was so worried about before listening, was pretty much null and void. ThinkTank are still a relatively new group, and yes they are still rough around the edges, but they have definitely carved out their own space within hip-hop that not a lot of rappers can successfully do. It’s an EP that musically relies a lot on full instrumental breaks, so much so that I had to check prior to this review if they used a band. Instead of cutting the guitar riffs and drum breaks up, they’ve given them a bigger presence on the EP, and as a result gives the overall production a more fuller, and relatively unusual sound (in regards to a lot of other groups). That’s not to say, they way is the right or wrong approach, but it definitely sets them apart from a lot of other releases, and might attract fans of other genres, not just the obvious hip-hop base.
I’ll always be a fan of DJ’s having prominence on records (in fact, prominence in general everywhere), but being a punk rock kid I’m always pleasantly pleased to hear more rap record that feature instruments more heavily. It’s a trend that I’ve been seeing a lot recently, and it’s nice to see artists getting back to the roots of the music, and incorporating them again.

Alright, so I’ve written a whole paragraph about instruments; I hope I haven’t lost any of you along the way (although if I have, I can’t help that you’re a sucker blood). When it comes to lyrics, TT aren’t stupid guys, and don’t waste space, filling up the record with shallow or pointless contents. This is an honest EP full of personal observations. Whether that’s in regards to money, and the idle-worship of capital, or tracks like ‘Simple Truth’ that discuss people’s need to put all their faith and passion in things that aren’t don’t really hold much weight (There is no real difference between iPhone 4 or 5, just a bigger phone bill), or importance in the long run.
Sometimes I do worry that people might think I’m just some serious Sally that only likes songs about saving the world, or starting a revolution by Tuesday. Yes, I am a fan of those things, I’m also a fan of light-hearted, fun party songs and ‘Wall Of Sound’ is a perfect example of how to do that right. Catchy lyrics, and some lovely scratches (see, you can have instruments and turntables, it’s pretty easy you know) with no space for self-indulgent pretence. It finishes the EP out nicely, and gives the record as a whole a well-rounded, and more substantial feel.
Both rappers sound comfortable throughout this EP, and at no time did I get the feeling that they were forcing their flow, or style in exchange for diversity or variation. They know their own individual strengths, and loyally stick to them regardless of subject matter, or production change. Something that becomes more and more obvious after a few spins.

In short, this is a fun and cleverly put together EP, and I’m really intrigued to see what else the boys can come up with next.
-Words: Aimee

For fans of Jamie-T, Too Many T’s, and Haan.