First things first this is going to be my first ever
real review of a CD. In the past I did what I like to call lyrical breakdowns.
That is where I take a song from an album and write my own interpretation of
the song while I was listening to it at the time. It seemed to be well received
and people enjoyed them. But this is going to be a full CD review with I hope a
sort of review on each track. I hope I can do the CD justice. Ok then onto the
review.
Falling in Like is an album you
wasn’t expecting coming from a person you may or may not have known about in
the past. First off this album holds nothing back. Johnny Questionmark comes
out swinging and it really shows. This album is a labor of love. It found life
on Kickstarter and did amazingly for a relatively unknown rapper from
Minnesota. Johnny was one half of the Minnesota rap group Playaz Lounge Crew
(PLC). They had a pretty good following and some great music. They lost out on
getting signed to a Psychopathic Records to Axe Murder Boys. This reviewer is
actually pretty happy they didn’t win even thought their talent was much better
than AMB. It is hard telling what we would have gotten if they would have
gotten signed. Ok enough boasting about PLC or Johnny here is a review of his
debut solo album “Falling In Like.”
I can go on and on about each
track on this album but I will highlight a few tracks and then give my final
thoughts on the album. The album starts off with the track Written In Lights. This
track is featured in Season 6 of the YouTube series Lights and a Backdrop (link
to video will be placed at the end of this review.) Before the album came out I listened to this
track a lot. It’s a great opening track to start off this album with. The track
plays off like an anthem, and expresses it in the chorus, “we ain’t quitting
until it’s written in lights.” This track also gives the listener a glimpse to
who Johnny is and that he isn’t going to stop regardless the hardships that
come about. The record starts off strong and keeps getting stronger from there.
Each track holds its ground on
this album. The track 6,7,8 has to be my favorite on the album. With some
amazing lyrics, amazing production from Caesar, and very catchy chorus it’s
hard not to like this track. “So hit me once and call it nothing but beginners
luck. And begging for attention wishing I would give a fuck.” This track was on
heavy repeat for a long time, and each time I listened to it I didn’t grow
tired of it.
The next track I want to high
light is Whiskey featuring Dood Computer from Albany. For those who that know me
knows I am a huge supporter of Dood Computer’s music, and have shown, shared,
and forced everyone to listen to his music. This track is a perfect drinking
song produced by Lazerbeak of Doomtree fame. The production on this track is
top notch and so are the lyrics from both Johnny and Dood. The track Hang With
Us features Mac Lethal, and it’s another drinking song. This track is a little more upbeat. Again
Johnny shines with this track, and so does Mac. It has another catchy chorus
and top notch production.
The cd ends with the track Not
Coming Back. It’s a perfect ending to this cd. The track is just Johnny talking
about losing someone in your life. Relationships end and in the chorus Johnny
basically talks about no matter how much you drink they are not coming back. The
production is a slow beat that goes really well with Johnny’s words.
I only highlighted a couple
tracks off this cd, but honestly every track on this cd is amazing and holds
its own. Johnny shines on everything he touches on this cd and his hard work
really shows in this cd. One thing that kills me about most radio rap is that
it lacks heart, and most people don’t understand my hate for it. This cd to me
is better than anything I have ever heard on the radio because it has heart.
The track MN Mean (Touble) is a good example of where music is heading to, and
Johnny expresses his feelings on stuff being dumbed down for the masses. You
can tell that Johnny loves what he is doing and that music is his passion.
There is no stopping him now. Johnny Questionmark is a force to be reckoned
with. The bottom line is that this cd is just the start and the next thing his
does is going to be even better. For those inspiring artist that listen to this
cd be sure to take notes, because you can learn a thing or two. Just remember
don’t listen with your wallet listen with your heart. This album is one of my
top albums of the year, and will be for years to come. This cd is a buy for
anyone who is a fan of PLC, or of rap with heart.
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