Review: Rhymeweaver – Hymns of Wrath & Passion

Artist: Rhymeweaver
Album: Hymns of Wrath & Passion
Record Label: Independent

I’ve been seeing this name Rhymeweaver popping up here and there all over the internet, so I was quite interested to give a listen to his album to see what this New Zealand based-MC is all about. Hymns of Wrath & Passion is an album with more conceptual tracks than radio friendly singles, which in my personal opinion, is always a good starting point for MCs.

The album kicked off with Stars (Overture) - an excerpt from P. Ramlee’s famous film, Bujang Lapuk. I personally love that show so although I generally hate skits, this one worked for me. I suppose it did somewhat set the mood for the album to a certain degree. The second track Get Filled was a real standout for me. I enjoyed the delivery, doing justice to a dope beat! When I heard the start of the third track This is Just to Say, my immediate thought was – Jedi Mind Tricks! It turned out to be a reasonable love track with rather corny metaphors (pokemon, pikachu, stickwitchu like pussycat dolls didn’t quite do it for me). Maybe I was just being biased and half-expecting Vinnie Paz to appear on the track.

Always Be My Baby is a sample of Mariah’s Carey smashit and an ode to Hip-Hop. I’m somewhat indifferent towards this one but with some work, it probably is the track with the most mainstream potential. I wasn’t really feeling the Paradise Lost beat, but it was definitely a worthwhile concept to explore. Both MCs came right lyrically on this one. Aside from all the added skits, this track was pretty dope. The Forbidden Verses had good lyrics but failed at delivering a solid hook. I sort of figured out where he was headed with this track but it didn’t quite do it for me.

Legendary which featured Illevate was a pretty damn good track! Once again, the delivery was the highlight (reminiscent of Get Filled). Vladimir Illyich Lenin is another conceptually dope track with consistent multi’s and metaphors. The last track on the album, Heroes of Might and Magic featuring DaFrosty was a track I wasn’t really feeling and often it felt as if the two MCs were trying to keep up with the beat and not really killing it at all.

Generally, this album is a display of tight flows and well placed multi’s. It is cohesive but not thoroughly engaging. Overall, a good effort with moments of brilliance here and there. I think RW has got the lyrical aspect of things on lock and just needs a little more brushing up on the songwriting tip. I’m looking forward to hearing more from this hungry up-and-comer, whom from the bio he sent me, will be releasing a series of mixtape with a late 2008 release date for one of them.

*I might add to this review if anything else pops into mind. For now, Get Filled will be on heavy rotation on my Ipod. Track is way dope.

Get in touch with RW and cop the album. It’ll be worth your listen.
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