10
The News Argus, October 2003
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M4 -STUDLNT
A*eatures
Nappy Roots bring more life lessons on new CD
By Keith Caesar
Special to the Argus
Review: Nappy Roots: Wooden Leather
Atlantic Records
Back with their second album,
"Wooden Leather," off the success of
their first, the boys of Nappy Roots have
something to say as they address one les
son they have learned from their entire
journey, "the who damn world country."
This time around Skinny Deville,
Scales, R. Prophet, B Stille, Big V and
Ron Clutch retain much of the formula
that made their first CD Watermelon,
Chicken and Grits a platinum-selling
album.
And for those who like the soulful
tune of Anthony Hamilton, he's back on
a number of tracks on the CD, most
notably, "Sick and Tired." In the chorus
to the song Hamilton belts out, "I'm
sick and tired of being criticized, sick
and tired of barely getting by/I'm sick
and tired of being sick and tired,"
Other thought provoking tracks
include "Push On," "These Walls,"
"Wbrk in Progress," which are among
some of the best the album has to offer.
Besides Hamilton the sextet also collab
orated with Raphael Saadiq who pro
duced two tracks on the CD "Leave
This Morning" and "Work In Progress."
Other producers included Kayne
West, David Banner, Lil John and Mike
City to name a few.
While there is a blend of conscious
music which is built off of much intro
spection, the boys seem to have fun on
several of their other tracks.
"Nappy Holiday," which was pro
duced by Banner, recalls the groups
2002 honor of having an official
"Nappy Roots Day" declared by
Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton. The
chorus of it all shows the dedication the
group have made to each other as the
chorus goes, "I am because I am/we are
because we are."
Tracks such as "Twang," Lac Dogs &
Hogs," "What Cha Gonna Do?" will no
doubt be a pleasure on the club scene.
If you're a fan of Nappy Roots, this
CD will be a pleasure, and even new
comers will enjoy it. The CD will have
you stomping your feet, and nodding to
your head to the beat.
Photo by Scott Schafer/Atlantic Records
Nappy Roots members, Skinny Deville (from left), Scales, R. Prophet, B
Stille, Big V and Ron Clutch, are at it again on new CD “Wooden Leather.”
What this album represents most and
does best is to showcase the struggles of
staying together even when fame can
drive a wedge between. It represents not
forgetting where you come from even
when they paycheck gets a little better, z'
More so it is an anthem for all the
people out there who are on the grind
and on the hustle trying to find a better
way.
"Wooden Leather," proves that the
sequel can be as good as the first.
For Music Lovers
Thrice’s latest CD will have
you rocking your head
By Demond Cureton
Argus Reporter
It’s hard to pick a favorite
on the new CD by Thrice,
“The Artist in the
Ambulance.” It’s all good.
Review:
Thrice: The Artist in the Ambulance '
Island Records
Melody and aggression have wed
ded in the newest album release from
the band Thrice entitled
"The Artist in the
Ambulance." Thrice
has created their latest
masterpiece seeking to
break through the
boundaries and con
finements of limited
music, hoping to tear
down the walls of stag
nation.
Not only have they
made music that gives
way to catharsis, they
have managed to pay
even close attention to
their musicianship
without losing the raw
aggression that they
want to capture. In short, this album
punches you in the face and then sings
you a lullaby while you're lying on the
ground before you pass out.
Originating in California, the band is
heavily influenced by both hard core
and punk rock music. However, they
wanted to create something more than
what could be categorized, so each
one of the members put their creative
input in the music to create a unique
work of art. After getting settled they
decided to create their first EP in 1998
and an another entitled First
Impressions. This album would gain
them a great deal attention from the
music scene, and they began gathering
a good crowd of fans. When every
thing began falling into place, they
started work on their first album enti
tled Identity Crisis in 1999, and
released the album in 2001.
There are so many elements in the
music that I don't know where to
begin. For one, the lead singer and
guitarist Dustin Kensrue incorporates
both very well sung melodic vocals
along with hard core-style screaming
vocals. The lyrics cover so many
things and are very abstract but are
tangible in the sense that the listener
can relate to the overall message.
Both he and guitarist Keppei
Teranishi have a playing style that is
based off of melodic notes and great
harmonic chords. The playing is tight;
all of the members mesh very well
giving their sound a professional
sound. The drumming of Riley
Breckenridge fits so well; everything
from mellow drives to hard core
drumming and even some double bass
surprises. The drumming is not chaot
ic, but it is technical when it needs to
be, giving their music the extra drive
and precision in well
chosen areas to make
the music sound
whole. Eddie
Breckenridge (yes, he
is the brother of Riley
Breckenridge) does the
same with the bass by
going between simple
accompanying
melodies to wild
walking-bass patterns.
The recording work of
Salad Day Studios in
Beltsville, MD allows
for a crystal clear
recording while still
adding just a touch of
rawness to the feel of the music.
It's hard to pick out any favorite
tracks, but if I had to it would have to
be songs like Stare at the Sun, Cold
Cash and Colder Hearts, The Artist in
the Ambulance, and Paper Tigers.
Some of their best musicianship is on
the mellow but complex arrange
ments of Stare at the Sun; E.
Breckenridge's bass lines are top notch
on this song, and so are Kensrue's
vocals. It's best to hear from yourself,
because it's hard to describe how these
songs (let alone the albuin) rock.
Well, all I can say is that this album
is great; if you're a fan of great music
and creative output, "The Artist in the
Ambulance" is right up your alley for
people who have even the most dis
cerning tastes of what makes music
great.
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MR. RAM, from page 9
Brown was disappointed that he
missed the SGA campaigning, so
being given the opportunity to partici
pate in the Mr. Ram pageant was
directly up his alley. Trailing behind
this new, major position are also major
responsibilities, which Brown said he
is quite prepared for, although he
understands that he can't do it all by
himself because, "No man is an
island," he said. He assured everyone,
"The whole year is going to be 'The
Mr. Rams presents', so whatever I do,
the other guys (contestants) names are
going to be on it." Brown continued
and said, "I called the guys up and
said that I don't want anybody's
idea...to go to waste, because you
(they) don't have the title."
Brown's foremost goal and plan is to
create a series of events by the name
of 'The Mr. Ram presents...Black Jazz.'
All of the former Mr. Ram contestants
who desire to be a part of the show
are welcome to participate. One of the
purposes is to have somewhat of an
introduction to who the Mr. Ram court
is. Brown added that, "It's basically
introducing everyone to honoring the
purpose of Mr. Ram and how each
male is Mr. Ram, rather than degrad
ing [people]." Brown went on to say,
"It's honoring those guys that open
doors for ladies, and those guys that
truly respect themselves enough not to
curse in front of an elderly or sea
soned individual." He "stole" a much-
liked quote from another contestant.
Jay Murray, who said, "Each person
on this campus is a ram, and should
conduct themselves accordingly."
Brown already has a few of the acts in
mind. Elliot Yourse, a sophomore con
testant in the pageant, is one. Yourse
serenaded the crowd with his saxo
phone during the talent portion of the
pageant and wowed many.
If you were to ask Alan Brown about
the bunch of six males that he ran
against, there would be many phrases
that would flow off his tongue, but
none would have a negative presence.
Brown stated that, "These guys (contes
tants) are very honorable and digni
fied." Although his feelings may be
slightly mixed on if he was the most
deserving of the Mr. Ram title, he con
tests that all things happen for a reason.
"Among the gentlemen I was in the
running for, they were definitely note
worthy and through them. I'm hon
ored to be a part of a group of guys
that have ambition and uphold them
selves with respect."
Upon graduation. Brown plans to
pursue his love for hospitality.
Although he also expressed his love
for music he said, "Serving is my pas
sion ... I'm going to go towards the
hospitality realm and just advance
through that field."
Brown said that he couldn't be more
excited about the year of his reign,
and has decided to "serve" the WSSU
family, fulfilling his duties as Mr.
Ram.
He knows he is in a position that is
very demanding.
"Integrity is the key," and while
under his sovereignty, the students at
WSSU will all get well acquainted with
his Indeed Philosophy: "Integrity,
nobility, development, excellence, and
dependability; for INDEED is not just
a word, it is a way of life."
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