2008 Woodie Awards
Updates for all your musical needs
Reviews of new albums from rap artist, The Game, and indie rock band, The Pale
Erika Ramirez and Derrick Sheffield
Issue date: 2/4/05 Section: No Limits
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Senior Staff Reporter
Many have questions about the West Coast rap of today...who will resurrect West Coast gangsta rap? One can only replay and reminisce about NWA for long...now one can feel the spirit of West Coast rap once again. The Game (Jayceon Taylor) dropped his album, "The Documentary" on January 18, 2005. Going strong for two weeks, hype is still solid about this album.
The Game, an anticipated artist and member of G-Unit, has brought revival to the West Coast and also a different story. Most rappers flow about what others want to hear or believe they would go through. The Game raps of what he went through, no excuses or glorification behind his actions, yet not condemning them either, for they were brought upon by many factors. Truth.
The Game has flow, delivery, and lyrics, aspects that make a great hip hop/rap album. Through each song, one can envision his struggles by the lyrics. One can go off emotion by the beat.
There are phenomenal beats on this album. Producers such as Timbaland, Just Blaze, and Kanye West help out The Game, creating hits to build a legend. One of my favorite tracks on the album is "Dreams," produced by West. As the beat starts, one can bet this track was created by Wests' well-known creativity.
"Hate It or Love It" is another great track. 50 Cent, member of G-Unit and also one of the guests on "The Documentary," appears on "Hate It or Love It." The beat has you reminiscing, taking you back to the 90s.
The song speaks about holding up. Even with the negativity and envy, the underdog will preside.
One must not forget that Dr. Dre, a founder and a member of NWA, guided "The Documentary."
The Game brings hope back to West Coast rap, but one must give respect to other greatly acclaimed West Coast rappers, such as Snoop Dogg, Gorilla Black, and of course, the 2Pac (R.I.P).
"The Documentary" is a journey through The Game's life: past, present, and future. Different sides of him are expressed and depicted by different beats, a respect for old school West Coast rap, and with twists to his lyrics.
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By Derrick Sheffield
Senior Reporter
The Pale hit the scene back in 1998 with their album "First Attempt at World Domination," and then in 2001 they released their sophomore album "Another Innovative Idea For The People On The Go," neither of which got much recognition. But lucky number three is quickly gaining the attention of many indie-goers, with their latest album "Gravity Gets Things Done," which was release in the middle of 2004.
On their latest album, they have twelve amazingly great songs with one sweet secret track that sounds like an old western folk song that puts a smile on the listeners face. With their down to earth piano tones and lyrics, they put the listener into a comfortable mind-easing mood, leaving them with a sense of gratification that only a great indie band can.
The band has been on tour for the past two years promoting their albums and ended the tour in their home towns of Seattle and Bellingham, Washington on January 28, 2005. During their break they plan on spending time with their families and then going right back to work recording more piano influenced indie rock.
They have no current release date for their new album, but they are on a tribute album for the Police called "Policia!," which hits stores February 8. From their website, off the press page, they state that "Every era has a great led piano band that people can get behind such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Ben Folds Five."
The Pale isn't one to be over looked, they are the evolved versions of these bands, playing good music that the masses can relate to.
In the song "Gravity Gets Things Done," they talk about a girl who gets happy/depressed mood swings and she is ready to explode, and he, or the band, are there to save her, waiting. They are willing and ready when she is. Most of the album talks about relationships, not all of it depressingly. They are an up beat band that seems like they are into life and playing music for the sole purpose of making something great and inspiring.
The Pale's closest comparison is Grandaddy, except heavier. You can listen to The Pale's latest album at www.towerrecords.com and at www.thepale.com. You can purchase their album for a measly $11.99 and keep informed with upcoming events.