Search - Mos Def :: True Magic

Universal Magnetic Returns To Wax Poetic {4 Stars}

Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 01/05/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Say what you will about Mos Def, but he's going to continue to march to the beat of his own drummer. It's up to you whether or not you want to march along with him. To let you know he's all business, Dante' starts things off by attacking the title track (True Magic). Mos throws darts at the establishment on "Dollar Day" which utilizes the "Nolia Clap" beat in a way that Wacko & Skip never could. And the other joints mostly center around bombin' on babylon. For the most part, the lyrics are on point. If anything is left to question, it would be the production (which I happen to like). So whether you purchase this or not hinges on one of two things -- beats or rhymes? If you're into production before lyrics, then you may be in for a bit of a letdown. If you prefer lyrics before production, you're going to love it.



There are a few drawbacks here and there. What I think throws most folks for a loop is Mos' propensity for going on random tangents. True, he can go off course and ramble for long periods of time, but he stays within the theme of the song.....if that kind of thing matters to you at all. Also, like someone mentioned before, Mos has his moments where he's flowin' in this sing-songy drawl that is at times indecipherable. None of the songs are wack though. Just a few joints worthy of being labeled "skip material" (A Ha) or have sleep inducing production (Murder Of A Teenage Life) and I think that's what baffles most Mos Def fans -- because out the gate he never dropped anything that would garner less than 5 stars.



True Magic may not be the landmark release most were expecting, but it's definitely tight. Then again, when was the last time he dropped an album that we expected from him? That's why we keep listening no matter how many curveballs he throws at us. I recommend checking this out for that very reason.



Standout Tracks: Thug Is A Drug, Napoleon Dynamite, Tru3 Magic, There Is A Way, Perfect Timing, Dollar Day, Sun Moon Stars, Fake Bonanza (My Favorite), and Crime & Medicine"