KAIL - True Hollywood Squares

By Brian Joseph - Phantastiq Cypha - 04/21/2008

Before we begin my review of True Hollywood Squares, may I make reference to the fact that a lyricist can spit some serious metaphors; however, there is a difference between metaphors and similes. For example, "you are my sunshine" is a metaphor, whereas "your eyes are like the sun" is a simile. With that said, Kail has a knack for similes. From beginning to end, his style is graceful and comedic, yet he doesn’t lose any roughness around the edges. Hailing from South Central, Kail has some big shoes to represent and represent it he does. We start off the album with an introduction to the host and contestants, who carry us through the game that is the album. With a colourful wise guy who drops lines such as “use that to blow your father with” and “I oughtta whack you upside the head with a canoe paddle,” its obvious that as serious an album this is, it’s also made to crack you up.

The tracks are solid for the most part, from “The Realest Muthafuckin' Tour Guide Ever” to “Wendy,” which have impressive lyrics and meanings behind the tracks. For some reason though, I lose it when it gets to “Sweet Dick Willy”; maybe it’s the fake commercial before it, or the fact that I don’t feel “Sweet Dick Willy” and “Motorola Twins” are as strong as the other tracks. Whatever the case, it feels like they are the album’s b-sides. Luckily, the album then moves onto “Cola (The Rhapsody)” and all is forgiven. Easily my favorite track on the album, “Cola” is a rap about relationships. What really makes the song is the female vocalist, whose deadpan delivery makes Kail’s over-the-top stressed singing technique a winning combination. Besides “Cola,” “Peter Pennyworth” is another great track. The song starts with a somewhat simple chant over a good tempo, which then turns into a harder beat midway and doesn’t take away from his flow.

I don’t often do album reviews because I don’t think someone can tell you if an album is good -- you have to listen to it yourself. The same goes for Kail. I can tell you how much I appreciate the album, the production, and how I look forward to more of his stuff; however, only you can take a listen, form an opinion, and start telling people how great he is, because you will. Kail isn’t someone to sleep on, and if this album is any indication of what he’s got, we can look forward to a lot more solid releases.

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