True Live- Mintons

This debut EP was released in 2005, a year before their album The Shape of It, which features many of these songs. (the album cover for this EP is nowhere to be found on the internet, so the image here is from the follow-up album).

Question This kicks things off with an infectious bassline. Sadly the recording of said double-bass is a bit of a letdown, its sound has great character, but is a bit indistinct and perhaps distorted. Aside from this, the recording quality of the album is very good, with the springs sounding wonderfully spacious throughout. Back to Question This, other highlights are the strings interludes and the terrifically poetic and insightful slow rapping.

The lighthearted jazz interlude of Mintons is a catchy delight. Its recipe of rapping on top of a vaudeville jazz beat works a treat. Also, the speed-up at the end works well, although the final chaotic chorus is a bit out of place.

Bounce features everything wonderful about True Live: snappy strings "riffs", sharp breaks, catchy lyrics and brilliant infectious bassline (which is very nicely recorded). This is my all-time favoured hiphop song with strings (ok, there isn't a lot of competition for this honour!). It's a great song for both quietly bopping along alone at home and jumping around like crazy in a moshpit.

While Evolution is a bit so-so in isolation, it provides a nice poetic change of pace on this EP, with great introspective lyrics in the verses. Try Walk Left heads closer to traditional rap: almost as angry as Eminem! But the poetry of the lyrics is in another league.

Favourite songs

Question This, Mintons, Bounce

Worthwhile?

On paper, the combination of hiphop and strings could be a cheesy novelty. But True Live implement it with fantastic style and maturity. Fantastic.