MC Serch: M.any Y.oung L.ives A.go: The 1994 Sessions
Words by Charles "CZA" Sweet II Rating: 2.5 out of 5.0
The popularity of VH1's "The White Rapper Show" has introduced the first credible white rapper to a couple generations too young, or not alive to have experienced his success the first time around. The cast of characters of wannabe rappers (whose skill sets are not up for debate at the moment) further catapulted Serch into household name strata, as their weekly cast offs spurred the catchphrase "Step Off!"
Certainly leveraging the opportunity and exposure greater than his original fame, Serch released M.any Y.oung L.ives A.go: The 1994 Sessions. "These songs were recorded in 1994 and 2000, and have been remastered from the original two inch reels we recorded on back in the day," said Serch via MySpace.
"MYLA" solidifies Serch as an icon in hip-hop, not simply for being the first great white rapper, but for his contributions in cadence, metaphor/content and ability to ride the beat. Solid from track one to ten, "MYLA" features exceptionally tight rhymes delivered in a myriad of flows over smooth, brilliant beats.
"Handle It" conceptualizes what it was that made us love his style in the first place. The dirty drums are coupled with a smooth jazz influence that easily can get a head to nod. "Practical Poetry" is rife with uncommon metaphors and catchy one-liners that perk the ear, while "Where My Head Is At" really is an ode to where he was back in those days -- the production is reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest by the irregular time signatures and crunchy kicks.
But, the real gem of the 10 song set is "Commute" Reminiscent of a RZA throwback, the sampled orchestration chimes in eerily as the chorus' singer wafts to and fro like a ghost.
Not everything works like it's supposed to though. "Cats in the Cradle" is going for a hip-hop remake, but falls flat as it sounds like uninspired material that could've been written on a napkin at 2:30 in the morning by an inebriated post-graduate student in a hole-in-the-wall. No exaggeration. "What" sounds every bit as dated as it is, and the only reason one might play this one twice is because it is SUPPOSED to sound that way.
While you wouldn't call MC Serch's career illustrious by any means, you have to respect the man's grind. M.any Y.oung L.ives A.go seems like a way to capitalize on a host of unused masters with a sudden influx of TV time. The music is like it always was, but it seems little too late for that stroll down memory lane. Maybe next time we'll get some new material.
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