Review Roundtable - Backburner - Heatwave
Kaiju - I have been a fan of Wordburglar and Jessie Dangerously for a few years now and have always heard them make mention of “Backburner” in their songs, but I never knew what it was. Guess I should have googled it, because I was missing out. DoogieHowitzer was kind enough to send us advance copies of the album so we could check it out and get a review out there. I was giddy with anticipation when I first hit play, I just had a feeling this was going to be a killer album. I mean I am sure Wordburg and Jessie D. would never align them selves with whack rappers. Turns out I was right.
F.Y.I. Backburner consists of: Fresh Kils, Wordburglar, Timbuktu, More Or Les, Uncle Fes, Ghettosocks, Chokeules, Jesse Dangerously, Jay Bizzy, Thesis Sahib, Beatmason, Frank Deluxe, Dexter Doolittle, Psybo, Ambition, Johnny Hardcore, Manalive, Ginzu333 & Mister E
Review onward!
1. Straight Out The Vault - Jesse Dangerously, Chokeules, Jay Bizzy & Ambition [prod by Dexter Doolittle]
Kaiju: Was glad to hear Jessie D. start things out. Dexter Doolittle made a banger of beat here, tons of energy. Great beat for an opener track. For last three rappers it was first time I had heard any of them. All of them keep things flowing well and track elevated. The last two rappers, Jay Bizzy and Ambition stand out over Chokeules to me though. Great openers that introduces 4 of the backburner crew. 8.5/10
Favorite Line: “I recommend you jet son, like elroy” - Ambition
Kincade: My brain always takes a few moments to calibrate to Jesse D. He is unique in that acceptable responses to his raps would seemingly range from “I hate everything he’s ever done” to “Illest rapper ever”. I guess I’m more in the middle, I thought this was his weakest verse on the LP. I thought the highlight of this track was the “when it was time for rap school you musta played hooky” sample section. It is inevitable that on a release like this the MC’s abilities are going to be compared and contrasted despite the fact they are “playing on the same team”. Everyone was dope here but Ambition had the standout verse in my mind.
2. Lifers - Chokeules, More Or Les, Timbuktu & Wordburglar [prod by Timbuktu]
Kaiju: This is my favorite track on the album. If you don't smile from the beat and feel of this song you are a terrible person. I think Chokeules did a lot better in this track and really shows what hes got. More Or Les really impressed me, really dig his laid back “flowing” style. Chorus on this track is best on this album, will get stuck in your head all day. This was my first time hearing Timbuktu and I was pretty impressed, I think he compliments Wordburg very nicely. So good choice for last two rappers. 9.5/10
Favorite Line (tie): “Sayin’ nothin’, like a zombie master P” - Wordburgular
“Home is where is the heart is, so the heartless never had a home” - Chokeules
Kincade: 100% agree this is the standout track and standout hook. Chokeules opens with a flourish and the amusing “You just stumbled onto something amazing/Rap Royalty like Mummification”. More or Les makes me an instant fan by referencing Zephram Cochrane and Roberto Alomar in his verse. Wordberg is the MVP of this release with his fascinating wordplay and unique delivery.
3. Nothin’ Friendly - Jesse Dangerously, Timbuktu, Ghettosocks, Wordburglar, Ambition, Chokeules & More Or Les [prod by Timbuktu]
Kaiju: Jessie D’s leads things off here again in a great way. Timbuktu takes things next and really shines, as he is the man who created this very funky and clean beat. Then things get really awesome when Ghettosocks takes the mic, never really heard him before but fell in love with his style when I first heard it. Kinda hard to explain but it is different and just oozes niceness. Wordburglar does his thing and is enjoyable as usually. Ambition and Chokeules are kinda outhshined in this track by the rest of the ill rappers. Again love More or Les’s verse, great way to end track. 9/10
Favorite Line: “ To say I’m not nice is an understatement “ - Ghettosocks
Kincade: Kaiju do yourself a favor and watch Ghettosocks “Out for Treats” video immediately. One of the hottest beats on the album, a dirty funk groove with an addictive little keybooard riff that gets in your head. Jesse is like a performance artist where I think some of his stuff is absolutely inspired but some stuff is just self indulgent like the variety of rap voices he uses here. Everyone else is good.
4. Back Home - Ginzu333, More Or Les, Thesis Sahib, Johnny Hardcore & Psybo [prod by Mister E]
Kaiju: Ginzu333 starts off this track and I can’t help but think he sounds exactly like Wordburg. I actually had to double check. Well I guess that's not a bad thing, really enjoyed his verse. Not More or Les’s best verse but still pro. First time hearing Thesis Sahib and I am not a big fan. He sounds very gimmicky and amateur....actually he sounds like someone on NCN but I can’t put my finger on it. First time hearing Johnny Hardcore and he does do justice to his name. He tries hard to sound very “hardcore” when he is spitting his verse and it comes off very fake. Did not enjoy his verse. Finally we have Psybo, never heard of him either, but he impressed me. He kinda reminds me of a Jessie D. without the lisp. Overall I love the feel of the track, killer beat and I like the theme and recurring theme of “back home”. 8/10
Favorite Line: “ back home, is where that missing piece is sitting waiting for me “ - Ginzu333
Kincade: I have similar thoughts. Ginzu333 impresses with his effortless flow, easily the best verse on this “Canadian rappers you have not heard of” showcase. More or Les seemed to phone this one in. Kaiju hit it exactly, Thesis sounds like a nerdcore rapper. He just sounds like a white guy talking in a normal voice which is not particularly appealing on a release of this quality.
Johnny Hardcore is my least favorite rapper on the CD. I am imagining a pencil thin nerd that has created a Vinnie Paz style “tough rapper” character. If Thesis Sahib sounds like he isnt trying hard enough Johnny Hardcore sounds like he’s trying very very hard when he should have tried harder to think of a better rapper name.
5. Show Of Hands - Ghettosocks, Chokeules, Wordburglar & Timbuktu [prod by Beatmason]
Kaiju: My man Ghettosocks again, verse is again full of greatness. Could listen to this guy all day. Always enjoyed Beatmason’s stuff and this beat is no different. A real head nodder. This track is one of Chokeules strongest and he has a lot of great lines. I think chorus works well for track, although not terrible catchy. Love the combo of Wordburg and Timbuktu again, the compliment each so well. Overall just a great track. 9/10
Favorite Line: “Picturing the one that got away in lingerie” - Chokeules
Kincade: Yes Ghettosocks has even more swag then Wordburgler, if you thought that was humanly possible. Hook is throwaway. Verses are great as usual. Choicest line goes to Wordberg for “ridiculous bastards, flip scripts like a master/Well you make poor choices like a stripper named Gaza”.
6. Heatwave - Thesis Sahib, Timbuktu, Wordburglar, Jesse Dangerously, Chokeules & Jay Bizzy [prod by Timbuktu]
Kaiju: Here we have the title track, so high expectations are set automatically. I gotta say, I was not disappointed. A very fun and laid back beat by Timbuktu make a great track for a song called “Heatwave”, something you would bang in your car driving on a hot day in the summer. All rappers are at the top of their game and keep up the fast pace of the track. Chorus is very catchy and matches feel of track perfectly. This is how a title track is done. 9/10
Favorite Line: “I don’t want to get a job, I’m lazy” - Jay Bizzy
Kincade: This is a dope track but the one line that bugs me on Thesis’ hook is “If you please to catch a breeze we’re cooking something fresh with the burner and the heatwave”. It’s like an extra forced multi when “breeze/heat(wave)” would have worked fine and “If you please to catch a breeze” stilts the flow while sounding corny and like a line out of a 1960’s movie. EDIT: It is actually "If you please stick out your breeze". Don’t get me wrong I still sing along but in the way I would sing along to “eensy weensy spider” a sort of begrudging acceptance of its lyrical shortcomings. Love Wordburg’s mutli’s. Brilliant Jesse shows up on this one. Jay Bizzy stands out also. One thing I only noted on repeat listens was that it sounded weird that after Tibuktu, Wordburgler and Jesse spit their verses Chokelues comes on and raps just 4 bars saying “Sweatshop, got me in a headlock...want to get props hit the man with a guest spot” that part just sounded oddly short.
7. Hurtin’ - Chokeules, Timbuktu, Ghettosocks, Jesse Dangerously & Wordburglar [prod by Ghettosocks]
Kaiju: I can’t really relate to this track, as I have never been hungover, but that did not keep me from enjoying thoroughly. So apparently not only is Ghettosocks an ill rapper he is an equally ill producer. This beat is ace and nice use of sound clips. The rappers take turns telling stories in a nice back and forth fashion that keeps track interesting. Another standout track for album. 9.5/10
Favorite Line: “ The thought of hitting on those ogres makes my toes curl “ - Chokeules
Kincade: Before this release I had only heard Wordburgler rap about how good he is at rapping and how bad other rappers are at rapping. It’s cool to hear him rapping about hangovers, girls and putting his dick in your pasta as well. Jesse D also seems a little out of his comfort zone with some of the topics and thats a good thing. The thing that makes this song not just a cliched “I partied too much” track is the fun interplay between the first 2 rappers and then Wordburgler and Jesse D in the final verse.
8. Style Dumpster - Psybo, Manalive, Thesis Sahib & Frank Deluxe [prod by Fresh Kils]
Kaiju: This tracks features features all the lesser known artist in Backburner (at least I think from my research) and it shows. I do really enjoy the chorus that Psybo does though. Frank Deluxe does kinda wake up the track with some cool double time in his verse, but not superb. Really the weakest track on album. 6.5/10
Favorite Line: nothing stands out
Kincade: Someone called Psybo led off with a killer verse. I can’t tell who did the 2nd verse but I wasn’t feeling it (EDIT: it was Manalive). Thesis Sahib stands out like a sore thumb every time he raps in this elite company. He tries to do a kind of machine gun flow but its just boring.
9. Long Story Short - More Or Les, Timbuktu, Ghettosocks & Wordburglar [prod by Fresh Kils]
Kaiju: This stellar track gets things back on a roll. Fresh Kils freshly kills another beat. 4 of my favorite guys on on this track and they combine forces to make a ill raps. Not much else to say than this is a great track and each rapper does a interesting job telling their Long story, shortly. 9/10
Favorite Line: “why take a vote i know the results in my favor” - More or Les
Kincade: Agreed. The other thing that works for this track is giving each rapper enough room to stretch out and do their thing. It’s nice to get 6 rappers on one track but it’s also good when the talent gets a chance to showcase what they can do over a full verse. I’m not sure who the 2nd rapper is its credited as Tibuktu but sounds like a swaggering Snagglepuss.
10. Phantom Ghost - Chokeules, Wordburglar, Mister E, Timbuktu & More Or Les [prod by Beatmason]
Kaiju: This is track for the nerdcore masses. Beatmason brings a banging 8-bit-ish beat for your listening pleasure. Chokeules, Wordburg and More or Les are the real stars off this track. Their verses really shine through. Not to say the other are bad, they hold their own. Regardless this is only track that could be considered nerdcore, considering beat and gaming and nerdy references the mc’s spit out. Don’t think this is really thee style though and doesn’t really shine or stand out. 7.5/10
Favorite Line: “I got a wait problem, I’m impatient” - Wordburglar
Kincade: This beat stands alongside “Splash woman” and “Live by the sword” as the pinnacle of dope VGM/Hiphop hybrids. Head...wont...stop...nodding. This is my 2nd favorite track after “Lifers”
11. Harm’s Way - Wordburglar, Timbuktu, Frank Deluxe, Ghettosocks, Chokeules & Jesse Dangerously [prod by Uncle Fester]
Kaiju: Uncle Fester really dropped the ball here with this beat, kinda lame and dull. Wouldn’t stand out so much if this album wasn’t packed with such a collection of insane beats. Anyways all mc’s do a great job, except Frank Deluxe, not a huge fan of his. Sounds sloppy. Chorus does a good enough job being catchy and tieing song together. Track would shine so much more with a better beat. 6.5/10
Favorite Line: “Stand and deliver like Anderson Silva” - Chokeules
Kincade: When I listened to this track I pictured you nodding your head at that line Kaiju ;) This is another throwaway hook that doesn’t do much for me. Only 8 bars per rapper again. Frank Deluxe drops his 2nd impressive verse to this point.
12. Freak Show Physics - Frank Deluxe, Timbuktu, Manalive, More Or Les, Chokeules, Thesis Sahib & Johnny Hardcore [prod by Uncle Fester]
Kaiju: Uncle Fester redeems himself on this track with a banger of a beat! A very fast paced and energy filled track, a blast to listen too. A solid chorus and scratching in track makes a well rounded track. Again though Thesis Sahib stands out like a sore thumb as a gimmicky rapper that just doesn't belong. And still not feeling Johnny Hardcore’s “hardcore” style. Aside from those two everyone does a great job making a fun track. Backburner really shines with these fast paced, energetic and fun tracks. 9/10
Favorite Line:”My mode to rock flows, cause that's my occupation “ - More or Les
Kincade: The guy who raps about “new edition” put in a very weak verse with a super simplistic flow. I am laughing out loud that you said Thesis stands out like a sore thumb when I wrote those exact words myself. This is kind of an old school beat and Thesis flow is straight outta 1989 so at first I thought it was intentional but none of the other rappers must have got the message. Sorry Thesis you are the weakest link. I don’t know exactly what it is that makes me like or dislike someone’s rap voice, but the guy after Jesse D, I would guess that rapping in a conversational tone then putting on voices like a ham actor auditioning for all the roles is an animated movie at once is a sure way for me to dislike you. Tell me Johnny Hardcore is really Jesse Dangerously effing around. Weakest track for mine.
13. Showtime in ‘09 (’011 Mister E-Mix) - Timbuktu, Manalive, Jesse Dangerously, More Or Les, Chokeules, Frank Deluxe, Wordburglar, Thesis Sahib, Psybo & Ghettosocks [prod by Mister E]
Kaiju: This is a blast to the past track and I am just going to assume that it was in fact “Showtime in ‘09”. This track features almost all of the Backburner crew. Manalive comes off very abrasive and not pleasing to the hear in this track. Thesis still disappoints me, but everyone else brings it. A good track, love the feel of the beat. 8.5/10
Favorite Line: “Stay grounded like Tarzan with no vines “ - Wordburglar
Kincade: It’s hard to justify keeping a hook of “Showtime in 09” 2 years later. That wouldn’t have been awesome even in 09. Rappers this clever couldn’t have come up with something new/better? If it really took 2 years to get all the verses together the next hook should be “we’re so clean in 13”
14. Burn It Down - Ghettosocks, Jesse Dangerously, Timbuktu, Frank Deluxe, Wordburglar, Chokeules, Jay Bizzy, Thesis Sahib, More Or Les, Psybo & Manalive [prod by Dexter Doolittle]
Kaiju: Another track with most of the guys on it. First thing you will notice if how intense and epic the beat is, great work mr. doolittle! Ghettosocks kills it to start it off, really sets a high standard. But for the most part everyone does their part and makes a solid track that really gives a taste of what backburner is all about. Chorus is a banging and does a nice job tieing everything together for a great closing track. Great track to show someone who has never heard backburner guys to give them a taste sampling. 8.5/10
Favorite Line: “Styles are too similar like rappers tattoos” - Timbuktu
Kincade: Badass beat, dope hook, great way to finish.
Kaiju’s Overall Thoughts: Going into this review I knew it was going to be different, as these weren’t rappers from the site nor were they rappers that needed technical advice, but they were a bunch of well established mc’s that came together to make a dope album that was released under Hand’Solo records. There is no question this a great album, as would be expected by some of these big names. It features a collection of superb beats from top notch producers and a line up of rappers with varied and contrasting styles. This keeps the album interesting throughout and provides something for everyone. I came out of this review process loving this album and finding a few artists that I needed to look into more closely, namely Ghettosocks, More or Les and Timbuktu. I am gratefulfor that, always looking for new artists to check out. Backburner is a great squad (with a few execptions of guys i don’t care for, but that is too be expected in a group with this many members) and I will keep my eyes peeled for anything these guys put out. Thank you DoogieHowitzer for bringing this to the attention of the community! Everyone needs to cop this album. At $5 it is a steal.
Kincade’s overall thoughts: Well if you want to nitpick about things you could say that this album is a little disjointed and lacks a central theme beyond how dope backburner is. There are several weak hooks and 2 rappers who have no business spitting in company this elite. Its surprising to me that independently of each other Kaiju and I both had the same strongly negative reaction to Thesis Sahib and Johnny Hardcore and pretty much loved everyone else. It makes me wonder whether Wordburg and Ghettosocks sit around listening to a Johnny Hardcore verse and nod their heads agreeing how dope it is. I amuse myself sometimes imagining Sage Francis rocking out to a Curtis Plum CD so I have no idea what to think other then that incriminating photos may be involved.
Here’s what I liked about Backburner: Firstly, the sample heavy Production favored by Australian heads. The worst beat on the album was probably a 7/10 and “Lifers”, “Heatwave” and
“Phantom” are 10/10’s. Kaiju listed his favorite lines and I could have come up with 10 different lines that were my favorite, there is plenty of clever wordplay no matter what flavor you enjoy.
The scratches and sample selection were really well used, lots of old school samples and Wu Tang cuts. Backburner comprise a wide range of styles and flows and methods of wordplay but Wordburgler stood out the most to me, he was like a big kid on the mic having a ton of fun and coming up with all sorts of wacky sentences to string together for your amusement. It’s a real pleasure to hear guys this talented have this much fun with their music.
I’d recommend this album to anyone looking to enjoy wave after wave of intricate verse from talented Canadian rappers. 9/10
XoC's overall thoughts: Doogiehowitzer, I apologize profusely for not jumping on this the moment you reached out and asked us to review it. I thought you were some newb to the board wanting me to review his buddies rapping about pimples and peanut chews. Lol. When I actually saw who was on this release I felt mad egg on my face. If I seemed dismissive, I'm sorry. That out of the way, I've listened a few times and what can be said here. These guys are in no need of affirmation of their dopeness, nor do they need any advice from us lesser rappers. Lol. This is an album comprised of a collective headed up by dope rappers Wordburglar, Jessie Dangerously and Ghettosocks. These guys might as well have just called themselves Voltron, as I can't think of a more appropriate analogy. Not the car Voltron tho. That shit was lame, j/s
Song after song is a barrage of dope spitting, crazy wordplay, catchy hooks, unique multis, swagger on a million, professional beat-crafting and crispy production. I especially love the Primo technique of scratching in commercial rap clips. Dope!!! These guys are well aware of their talents, and the confidence and shine they exude is a testament to that. Why rappers like these are not making millions in the game is beyond me. I can think of a bunch of folks on top of the charts that would be very nervous if these guys were present. Lol. I wanna say that all the tracks were pretty dope, but I think 'Hurtin' is the standout. The creative way these guys all bounced off each other was magnifique. The fact that it was a story pushes it into the stratosphere for me. Dopenesssss!!!!!
Kaiju and Kincade did an awesome job breaking this release down and there's nothing more for me to add. I don't readily agree with them about Thesis Sahib and Johnny Hardcore. Silly names aside, I thought they held their own. They were the weakest links, but not at a level where they ruined a song. I wasn't mad at em. Maybe I was all caught up with all the rest of the dopeness. *shrugs*
This release is a must listen for everyone!! All of you nerds trying to level up your rap game would do well to study some of these songs to see how its done. That five bucks you were about to drop on a comic book and some skittles would be better spent here. Run along now kiddies and gather up your pennies. The Review Roundtable has spoken.
BUY HERE: http://handsolorecords.bandcamp.com/...wave?permalink
DoogieHowitzer's Thoughts on Review: I have just a few things to add, some that might cause changes to the review and some that would just be for your interest and future exploration. Ginzu 333 used to rap with Jesse Dangerously in the Sentinels. It's funny Kaiju compares him to Wordburglar when I always used to hear so much more Jesse Dangerously in his style. Psybo is from Toolshed, along with Timbuktu and Chokeules. They just released their most recent album, The Lost, on Hand'Solo Records.
I have to disagree with your opinions on Thesis, but everyone is entitled to their own tastes. I don't see anything lazy about what he's doing. He's inspired by Project Blowed. He likes to chop his flows and rap fast. He's also got a bit of an abstract writing style, but it all makes sense in a weird way. I think he's one of the highlights of the album. And in his defence, although I don't think this should impact your review, but "Freak Show Physics" was originally an old school beat. Thesis wrote his lyrics and delivered his raps perfect for that beat, but when it came time for Uncle Fester to mix the beat, he made a new one. It's dope but now Thesis doesn't match it as well. He would have killed this beat. He does stand out though.
Also, for "Showtime in '09," it was one of the first songs recorded for this album. It appeared on Burgie's Bassment at the end of 2009. It was remixed by Mister E (and really improved, in my opinion) for this new collection. The "showtime in oh-nine" chorus sounds good together and so I'm sure that's why they stuck with it. I think someone like Wyr will love the appearance of this track.
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