Picked his album up the other day, I've uploaded it into my iTunes and did my initial review, a process where I assign each track a 1 to 5 star rating as well as a number from 1 to 6 that describes what "mood" each track evokes (then with this stuff entered in addition to the basic artist, album, hometown, track number info, there is a pretty elaborate but efficient system of auto-updating playlists). Here's what I got for Grynch "My Second Wind"
01) It's a New Day - 4/5 stars
This is one of my favorite samples ever, "Leave It Alone" by the Dynamic Superiors, I'm glad C-Nik (the producer) also appreciates it. I got real excited when I first heard the song start b/c I immediately recognized the sample. Grynch's lyrics on this track are good, it brings immediate energy to the album. The only complaints of this track are that for whatever reason, the bass doesn't hit nicely in my car or computer, and also the sample only utilizes the end of the chorus, rather than the entire chorus like the Terror Squad song that uses the same sample.
02) I Won't Lose - 5/5 stars
Very good beat, kind of an uplifting inspirational type of vibe to it. Grynch is nice on this track, he does a good job making his voice reflect the beat when he sings the "I won't lose" line in the chorus. Once again the basslines don't hit that nicely for some reason, making it an excellent track (hence the 5 stars) but not a truly elite one.
03) Dear Grynch - 5/5 stars
I'd heard this track over the summer on a mixtape, it is one of only 5 tracks on the album that I gave either a 1 or 2 "mood rating" (those are the two numbers reserved for more angry, adrenaline riddled tracks), meaning it gives off a little stronger vibe than the other more reflective type of tracks. The beat has a lot of energy, I used to run alongside Lake Michigan this summer with this track playing. Grynch is strong on the mic, he shows some emotion, but he's not trying to overdue it.
04) The Youngest In Charge - 2/5 stars
My least favorite track on the album, the beat sounds like a shitty Bay Area or Cali type of beat, I can't get into this track.
05) All Night - 4/5 stars
Another track with a little power and energy. I don't know who it is (I can't tell if it's Grynch or a guest feature), but whoever is on the chorus sounds a little bit like Anonimous aka Tha Loco. The guy on the 2nd verse is very good, he has a little deeper voice than Grynch so it's a good change up. I also like how the guy on the 3rd verse says "I stepped out of the club at 2:06" that made me laugh, b/c I always notice when it's that time of day/morning. The highlight of the song is the chorus, it's a solid beat w/ solid lyrics, but what makes it a 4 star as opposed to a 3 star is the great chorus.
06) Euphoria - 4/5 stars
This is a smooth soulful beat by DJ Nphared, I don't know what the sample is, it sounds like the Cornelius Brothers but I'm not sure. Grynch rides along with the beat, and the vocals on the sample are worked in real nice around the chorus, which is good b/c sometimes a little lyrical help from a purely rap lyrics chorus is a good thing.
07) Summer Time - 3/5 stars
This is the track that's somewhat of a Seattle anthem with Geologic from Blue Scholars. The beat is upbeat with some horns in the background. Grynch describes a lot of spots around town, which is obviously common in rap music but in this track, it's not all the usual spots you would hear about on a rap label (Alki, Madison Beach & Gasworks Park as opposed to the High Points, Rainier Beachs or 28th & Jacksons of the town), clearly reflecting that Grynch is not from a tough pocket of town, but more importantly, he's not trying to pretend he is. Geologic's verse is good, it's interesting to see him on somebody else's album on a non-Sabzi beat, I can't recall a time when either of those was true.
08) My Second Wind - 4/5 stars
This is a faster paced track, another song that I'd heard on the Heat mixtape series. Grynch probably raps a little faster on this track than he does anywhere else on the album, so it's nice to see he can twist the tongue a little bit. Solid track, not one of the best on the album, but still 4 stars, that's solid.
09) Memory Lane - 3/5 stars
Nostalgic track with a lot of Seattle references (my favorite is when he talks about how bummed he was when Funplex closed). This track has the "life was so simple then" theme that a lot of childhood nostalgia rap tracks have. I don't care all that much for the chorus, which is why it gets 3 stars.
10) Good Morning - 4/5 stars
This beat is by Bean One but it doesn't sound like typical Bean One. It has a somewhat nostalgic feel, with a similar "reflect on the past" type of theme as the previous track, so I don't know if I would have placed these two tracks back to back if I was the executive producer of this album.
11) Home - 5/5
The track is yet another nostalgia track with a more directly geographic theme (it's a Seattle anthem). Anybody who grew up north of the ship canal in Seattle will relate heavily to this cut. Speedy Gonzalez sings the chorus on this track, and his voice is naturally a little deeper and more powerful than Grynch's, so it's a nice changeup. Speedy emphasizes typical Seattle themes of money and weed, but my favorite part of his verse by far is his final line, where he says "Honestly, I don't really care what y'all say, it's the best in the world to me always, if I can't see the needle I'm too far away, riding through the city like my posse's on BroadWAY!" He really finishes his verse off with some power and strength that Grynch isn't really capable of, so it's a really good combo on this track. This verse will make me look at SpeedyG a little more, before I haven't been too up on him.
12) Peer Pressure - 3/5 stars
Another deeper "trials and tribulations" type of beat & lyrics. Nothing particularly ear catching about this track, but on weaker albums it would stand out more, it's a little overshadowed by the rest of the project.
13) If Only - 4/5 stars
Grynch hooks up with fellow Seattle whiteboy rapper Macklemore on this track, I hadn't heard Macklemore on anything since he released his project a few years ago. As is the case with most Macklemore tracks, it has a semi-conscious vibe to it. The highlight of this track is the chorus, when either Macklemore or Grynch (I can't tell) says "cuz somebody don't got nothin at all," they do it in almost a singing voice which is a surprise.
14) The Perfect Imperfection - 4/5 stars
One of the more unique beats on the album, it gives an immediate Italian guitar style vibe right off the bat. The percussion also slaps a little harder on this than most beats on the album. Grynch is solid on the mic, I still haven't really figured out what the track is about, but that's OK, the guitar oriented beat really shines on this track.
15) Sara - 4/5 stars
The GTS beat samples "Sara Smile" by Hall & Oats. Grynch obviously talking to a female on this track, with the theme similar to numerous other rap songs like "Brenda's Got a Baby" by Pac or "Pump Ya Breaks" by Dividenz intended to tell the trials & tribulations of the female side of things. I think the lyrics are fairly mediocre on this track, but the beat is nice, so 4 of 5 stars.
16) One Love - 3/5 stars
Another track directed to females, a slow smooth beat but nothing particularly noticeable about this track, but it's a solid beat so 3 of 5 stars.
17) When The Beast Comes Out - 3/5 stars
When I heard D-Sane was on this album, I had a real hard time picturing what it would sound like. Well not surprisingly to me, the result isn't great. Grynch doesn't have the strength & power to sound nice on a D-Sane beat. It's not a bad track but it's not a good track either, D-Sane's sound is just not what Grynch is good at. It's interesting how a rapper you like with a producer you love doesn't necessarily beget a song you like/love.
18) That's Hip-Hop - 4/5 stars
C-Nik comes through with a very classic, East Coast sounding beat, which I guess is good for the theme of this track. It's similar to most songs out there with similar themes, where it's thanking the DJs the dancers the MCs, and emphasizes how the artist got interested in hip-hop to begin with. Grynch sounds good on this track, I like when he quotes the Blue Scholars when he says "hip hop's not dead it's just malnourished and underfed," I like to hear that stuff b/c it shows that artists in the town are listening to and respecting other local material.
** OVERALL SYNOPSIS **
This is a very deep album, with 13 of 18 tracks getting 4 stars or better (for comparison, about 30% of my collection is rated 4 stars or higher). What Grynch is very good at are the nostalgic, trials & tribulations type of songs (I gave a lot of mood ratings of 4,5 or 6). He is not going to supply a lot of adrenaline, but he'll give you something you can relate to over quality beats. I haven't heard of many of these producers, but if they are local, I hope to see these guys on other people's work in the coming years. 3 tracks received 5 star ratings, so it's a little short of truly great tracks by comparison to my favorite albums, but it packs a lot of very good tracks.
Lyrically, Grynch is solid. He's got a noticeably whiteboy, not overly distinctive voice, but he makes the most of it what he's got naturally. He's very good with crisply pronouncing his words and his writing is also well above average. I'll be the first to admit it, I wouldn't have thought a 21 year old (who looks much younger than that based on the album cover) white kid from Ballard could produce one solid and one very solid project. Most of the other white kids from the more priviliged parts of town (think DZ, think DubB) haven't put anything out that doesn't suck. Maybe I shouldn't speculate too much as to his background, b/c after all Ballard isn't Queen Anne obviously. But in short, he's somebody I've got a lot of respect for after these two projects, I'll continue to purchase future releases and fans of NW hip-hop should too, b/c he's better than probably 90% of the rappers running around our area. He's the best thing to come out of Ballard HS since that super class of 4 Pac-10 football signees, but unlike those clowns who have since fucked up their grades and haven't done shit at the college level, he's got great things ahead of him.
01) It's a New Day - 4/5 stars
This is one of my favorite samples ever, "Leave It Alone" by the Dynamic Superiors, I'm glad C-Nik (the producer) also appreciates it. I got real excited when I first heard the song start b/c I immediately recognized the sample. Grynch's lyrics on this track are good, it brings immediate energy to the album. The only complaints of this track are that for whatever reason, the bass doesn't hit nicely in my car or computer, and also the sample only utilizes the end of the chorus, rather than the entire chorus like the Terror Squad song that uses the same sample.
02) I Won't Lose - 5/5 stars
Very good beat, kind of an uplifting inspirational type of vibe to it. Grynch is nice on this track, he does a good job making his voice reflect the beat when he sings the "I won't lose" line in the chorus. Once again the basslines don't hit that nicely for some reason, making it an excellent track (hence the 5 stars) but not a truly elite one.
03) Dear Grynch - 5/5 stars
I'd heard this track over the summer on a mixtape, it is one of only 5 tracks on the album that I gave either a 1 or 2 "mood rating" (those are the two numbers reserved for more angry, adrenaline riddled tracks), meaning it gives off a little stronger vibe than the other more reflective type of tracks. The beat has a lot of energy, I used to run alongside Lake Michigan this summer with this track playing. Grynch is strong on the mic, he shows some emotion, but he's not trying to overdue it.
04) The Youngest In Charge - 2/5 stars
My least favorite track on the album, the beat sounds like a shitty Bay Area or Cali type of beat, I can't get into this track.
05) All Night - 4/5 stars
Another track with a little power and energy. I don't know who it is (I can't tell if it's Grynch or a guest feature), but whoever is on the chorus sounds a little bit like Anonimous aka Tha Loco. The guy on the 2nd verse is very good, he has a little deeper voice than Grynch so it's a good change up. I also like how the guy on the 3rd verse says "I stepped out of the club at 2:06" that made me laugh, b/c I always notice when it's that time of day/morning. The highlight of the song is the chorus, it's a solid beat w/ solid lyrics, but what makes it a 4 star as opposed to a 3 star is the great chorus.
06) Euphoria - 4/5 stars
This is a smooth soulful beat by DJ Nphared, I don't know what the sample is, it sounds like the Cornelius Brothers but I'm not sure. Grynch rides along with the beat, and the vocals on the sample are worked in real nice around the chorus, which is good b/c sometimes a little lyrical help from a purely rap lyrics chorus is a good thing.
07) Summer Time - 3/5 stars
This is the track that's somewhat of a Seattle anthem with Geologic from Blue Scholars. The beat is upbeat with some horns in the background. Grynch describes a lot of spots around town, which is obviously common in rap music but in this track, it's not all the usual spots you would hear about on a rap label (Alki, Madison Beach & Gasworks Park as opposed to the High Points, Rainier Beachs or 28th & Jacksons of the town), clearly reflecting that Grynch is not from a tough pocket of town, but more importantly, he's not trying to pretend he is. Geologic's verse is good, it's interesting to see him on somebody else's album on a non-Sabzi beat, I can't recall a time when either of those was true.
08) My Second Wind - 4/5 stars
This is a faster paced track, another song that I'd heard on the Heat mixtape series. Grynch probably raps a little faster on this track than he does anywhere else on the album, so it's nice to see he can twist the tongue a little bit. Solid track, not one of the best on the album, but still 4 stars, that's solid.
09) Memory Lane - 3/5 stars
Nostalgic track with a lot of Seattle references (my favorite is when he talks about how bummed he was when Funplex closed). This track has the "life was so simple then" theme that a lot of childhood nostalgia rap tracks have. I don't care all that much for the chorus, which is why it gets 3 stars.
10) Good Morning - 4/5 stars
This beat is by Bean One but it doesn't sound like typical Bean One. It has a somewhat nostalgic feel, with a similar "reflect on the past" type of theme as the previous track, so I don't know if I would have placed these two tracks back to back if I was the executive producer of this album.
11) Home - 5/5
The track is yet another nostalgia track with a more directly geographic theme (it's a Seattle anthem). Anybody who grew up north of the ship canal in Seattle will relate heavily to this cut. Speedy Gonzalez sings the chorus on this track, and his voice is naturally a little deeper and more powerful than Grynch's, so it's a nice changeup. Speedy emphasizes typical Seattle themes of money and weed, but my favorite part of his verse by far is his final line, where he says "Honestly, I don't really care what y'all say, it's the best in the world to me always, if I can't see the needle I'm too far away, riding through the city like my posse's on BroadWAY!" He really finishes his verse off with some power and strength that Grynch isn't really capable of, so it's a really good combo on this track. This verse will make me look at SpeedyG a little more, before I haven't been too up on him.
12) Peer Pressure - 3/5 stars
Another deeper "trials and tribulations" type of beat & lyrics. Nothing particularly ear catching about this track, but on weaker albums it would stand out more, it's a little overshadowed by the rest of the project.
13) If Only - 4/5 stars
Grynch hooks up with fellow Seattle whiteboy rapper Macklemore on this track, I hadn't heard Macklemore on anything since he released his project a few years ago. As is the case with most Macklemore tracks, it has a semi-conscious vibe to it. The highlight of this track is the chorus, when either Macklemore or Grynch (I can't tell) says "cuz somebody don't got nothin at all," they do it in almost a singing voice which is a surprise.
14) The Perfect Imperfection - 4/5 stars
One of the more unique beats on the album, it gives an immediate Italian guitar style vibe right off the bat. The percussion also slaps a little harder on this than most beats on the album. Grynch is solid on the mic, I still haven't really figured out what the track is about, but that's OK, the guitar oriented beat really shines on this track.
15) Sara - 4/5 stars
The GTS beat samples "Sara Smile" by Hall & Oats. Grynch obviously talking to a female on this track, with the theme similar to numerous other rap songs like "Brenda's Got a Baby" by Pac or "Pump Ya Breaks" by Dividenz intended to tell the trials & tribulations of the female side of things. I think the lyrics are fairly mediocre on this track, but the beat is nice, so 4 of 5 stars.
16) One Love - 3/5 stars
Another track directed to females, a slow smooth beat but nothing particularly noticeable about this track, but it's a solid beat so 3 of 5 stars.
17) When The Beast Comes Out - 3/5 stars
When I heard D-Sane was on this album, I had a real hard time picturing what it would sound like. Well not surprisingly to me, the result isn't great. Grynch doesn't have the strength & power to sound nice on a D-Sane beat. It's not a bad track but it's not a good track either, D-Sane's sound is just not what Grynch is good at. It's interesting how a rapper you like with a producer you love doesn't necessarily beget a song you like/love.
18) That's Hip-Hop - 4/5 stars
C-Nik comes through with a very classic, East Coast sounding beat, which I guess is good for the theme of this track. It's similar to most songs out there with similar themes, where it's thanking the DJs the dancers the MCs, and emphasizes how the artist got interested in hip-hop to begin with. Grynch sounds good on this track, I like when he quotes the Blue Scholars when he says "hip hop's not dead it's just malnourished and underfed," I like to hear that stuff b/c it shows that artists in the town are listening to and respecting other local material.
** OVERALL SYNOPSIS **
This is a very deep album, with 13 of 18 tracks getting 4 stars or better (for comparison, about 30% of my collection is rated 4 stars or higher). What Grynch is very good at are the nostalgic, trials & tribulations type of songs (I gave a lot of mood ratings of 4,5 or 6). He is not going to supply a lot of adrenaline, but he'll give you something you can relate to over quality beats. I haven't heard of many of these producers, but if they are local, I hope to see these guys on other people's work in the coming years. 3 tracks received 5 star ratings, so it's a little short of truly great tracks by comparison to my favorite albums, but it packs a lot of very good tracks.
Lyrically, Grynch is solid. He's got a noticeably whiteboy, not overly distinctive voice, but he makes the most of it what he's got naturally. He's very good with crisply pronouncing his words and his writing is also well above average. I'll be the first to admit it, I wouldn't have thought a 21 year old (who looks much younger than that based on the album cover) white kid from Ballard could produce one solid and one very solid project. Most of the other white kids from the more priviliged parts of town (think DZ, think DubB) haven't put anything out that doesn't suck. Maybe I shouldn't speculate too much as to his background, b/c after all Ballard isn't Queen Anne obviously. But in short, he's somebody I've got a lot of respect for after these two projects, I'll continue to purchase future releases and fans of NW hip-hop should too, b/c he's better than probably 90% of the rappers running around our area. He's the best thing to come out of Ballard HS since that super class of 4 Pac-10 football signees, but unlike those clowns who have since fucked up their grades and haven't done shit at the college level, he's got great things ahead of him.