CD Reviews

Random Axe | Random Axe

Duck Down (2011)

By CHRIS FARAONE | July 12, 2011

3.5 Stars

It's no wonder that it takes a 10-ton Uzi to get rap fans psyched about posse cuts these days. MCs collaborate with rabbit-like indiscretion, often for the wrong reasons, and in turn yield flatulent orgies that amount to little more than cliché rhyme buffets (see: any DJ Khaled mixtape). Yet the mere announcement of Random Axe — comprising Brooklyn's Sean Price and Detroit threats Black Milk and Guilty Simpson — got heads paying attention. They won't be disappointed. Though the Random Axe effort is relatively high-profile, these three conjure one another's grimiest gusto. Milk is the MVP; as the album's sole beatmaker, he pays aesthetic homage to Madlib and J Dilla's Champion Sound. At the same time, whether intentional or not, the electric "Japhy Joe" summons the cross-continental vibe of Dr. Dre's "East Coast West Coast Killas." Lyrically, Milk hangs champ-style alongside these two Tysons — who kick lazy rhymes from time to time, but for the most part swing merciless punchlines that are equal parts mirth and mayhem. Like Price says on "The Karate Kid," "This will never be mainstream/It make you sell crack, bust gats, and blaze green."

RANDOM AXE + SMIF N WESSUN + J THE S | Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston | August 13 @ 7 pm | $20 | 18+ | 617.236.7600

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