Search - Grouch :: F*ck the Dumb

Heartfelt rhymes, lush production...

Rayne | 06/12/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Many Grouch fans will cite this album as his best work. Personally, while I find it to be a decent album, it's definately not my favorite Grouch product. It does have excellent joints such as the lush production of "Nothing's Changing", to the autobiographical "Once Upon A Rhyme". As always, Grouch conveys genuine rhymes from the heart and soul (a la present day Common). Production-wise, Grouch is one of the underground's best kept secrets. He doesn't sound like Primo imitator #9,999, as he'd rather create lush backdrops over laid back drums and bass, with a predominately west coast vibe. While this definately is a solid album, I will say that Grouch has done better in the past, and present. His latest album, "Making Perfect Sense", is a step up in the production category, with truly fresh beats throughout. I'd recommend that album over this one, on the strength of production alone (and it's lyrically dope as well). If this is your first Grouch album, then I'd suggest you to pick up "Making Perfect Sense" if you want to see his true production talent, or "Nothing Changes" for his best set of rhymes. Either way, "F__k The Dumb" will make an excellent addition to anyone's CD library regardless; it's just not my favorite Grouch album.The only real detractor from this album is the various interludes in which Grouch manipulates a studio enhanced, psudeo-Tupac voice. After the first interlude, it just becomes annoying to hear him ramble on with the extra deep voice. *Side note: These editor clippings on Living Legend albums are ridiculously off mark. Grouch is NOT a member of Mystik Journeymen!"

HE IS A LIVIN LEGEND

Amy J.Sellers | Ocala, FL USA | 07/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Grouch is one of the best mcs to ever have existed. If you are already a fan of his you need this cd. If your not familiar with him then you need to be. This CD is one of his best, although every CD that he makes I feel is "his best"- that fact alone should be enough for anyone who loves GOOD, REAL music to go out and get all his CDs."

Best Grouch

G. Greeley | California | 10/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can say, pretty confidently, that this is the Grouch's best album. His rhyming is exactly what you'd expect- honest, unpredictable, badass and subtly funky. The lyrics/delivery are so dope on each of his albums, though, that it's hard to name the masterpiece by that criteria alone. I've got his first five albums (so not Crusader for Justice), and primarily the beats make this album the one I turn to most often. It's without a doubt his most memorable production, as he turns away from some of the more obscure/dark samples, and gives you some more catchy beats, that range from raw and funky to shimmering and pretty. The tracks Congestion (with Eligh), Nothing's Changing, Endathis, Drain Me and Once Upon A Rhyme (by sequence on the album) are my top 5, but there's no filler to be found. I would recommend this first when it comes to Grouch, then his debut Don't Talk To Me. Nothing Changes, Success is Destiny and Making Perfect Sense are basically tied in my mind, though Making Perfect Sense has a more bright, happy, hi-fi sound than the other two. So, basically, if you want to get into the Grouch, or just make your hip hop collection a little better, I'd try F^ck The Dumb. Download Endathis and you'll see what I mean.



PS: I'm not a decidedly underground fan or anything like that. This album should be up there with my Outkast or Snoop Dogg sales wise. It's not alternative for the sake of being alternative. It just takes a more open mind than the majority of the public seems to have."