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Switched On

Madchild

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Born in North Vancouver, British Columbia, rapper Shane Bunting is best known by his stage name, Mad Child. A founding member of the Canadian hip-hop group Swollen Members, Mad Child rose to prominence throughout the 2000s, winning four Juno Awards with the group, as well as a number of other accolades from Canadian music organizations. The MC’s career took a downward turn in 2006 when Bunting fell into a pill addiction, developing a $500-a-day habit before getting clean and making his struggles public in 2009. In 2011, Mad Child found himself barred entry into the United States due to an alleged connection with the Hells Angels. That same year also saw Bunting release a solo album, M.A.D.E. (Misguided Angel Destroys Everything). Mad Child followed up the next year with the full-length Dope Sick, which was released through Battle Axe Records.

Track listing

  1. White Knuckles
  2. Amadeus
  3. Switched On
  4. Iran
  5. Never Die
  6. Hellbound
  7. Tom Cruise
  8. On One
  9. Blitzkrieg
  10. Act My age

Bonus Tracks

  1. Black Belt
  2. Drugs In My Pocket
  3. Gremlin
  4. Tiger Blood
  5. Broken Mirror
  6. Out Of My Head
  7. Under A Spell
  8. Fuck Madchild
  9. Good Crazy

Track by track review and rating

White Knuckles- The beat here is a combination of solid hard hitting bass and a hectic piano/electronic backing.  Madchild delivers solid flow and wordplay in the verses.  The hook is designed to blend in with the verses but it stands out enough the listener knows it is the hook.  A nice start to the album. 4.2/5

Amadeus- A slow plodding beat backs this one.  The flow is deliberately slower to match the beat and it makes the track flow well.  There is no real hook here but that is alright. 3.8/5

Switched On- The title track from the album doesn’t disappoint.  The beat is slightly quicker and his flow once again matches that.  The wordplay and his ability to take random lyrics and have them make sense is highlighted here. 4/5

Iran- Heavy electronic sounds and a very hard hitting beat lead the track.  The verses are well written and show how far Madchild has evolved from his Dopesick effort.  The hook is very solid and round out the track nicely. 4.5/5

Never Die- The beat is backed by females singing and reminds listeners of a James Bond film.  The old school vibe is continued in the verses.  The verses flow really well and once again show his wordplay abilities.  The hook is very stripped down here. 3.8/5

Hellbound- A dark driving beat backed with hectic piano.  The verses are delivered in an aggressive and dark style.  The hook is very well done and easy to sing along with.  The theme of this track is well conceived and presented here. 4.7/5

Tom Cruise- A disjointed and chaotic beat backs well written verses.  The hook is simple but it doesn’t need to be too complex here.  The feel of the track is exactly opposite from the last one. 3.7/5

On One- A smoother beat here.  There is a female singing in the hook and it works even if it is slightly weird.  The verses are a serious mix of random lyrics that flow well together and make this enjoyable. 3.8/5

Blitzkrieg- Another heavily complex and chaotic beat leads this track.  The verses flow well and there is a nice snippet from Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.  A solid track even if it is slightly short. 3.8/5

Act My Age- The beat here is very complex and heavily electronic again.  The theme of the track is hilarious and the hook is easy to get down with.  A nice change of pace which is dark and funny at the same time. 4.3/5

                                                       Bonus Tracks

Black Belt- A much slower track here.  Madchild flows around the beat which is a nice shift in the album.  The lyrics continue to show his flow and wordplay skills.  The hook is simple and that allows the lyrics to come through better. 3.5/5

Drugs In My Pocket- A much simpler and slower beat changes it up again in this track.  There is a solid social message here and it is pushed very well.  The hook is simple and easily gets stuck in your head. 3.6/5

Gremlin- A very heavy hitting beat will have listeners bobbing their heads in this one.  The verses are chaotic here but it works well around the smoother beat.  There is a lack of a hook again here but that does not take away from the track. 4/5

Tiger Blood- A unique beat backs this track.  The verses flow really well and drive the track forward at every turn.  A simple hook keeps pace and rounds this one out. 3.5/5

Broken Mirror- A much darker and subtle tone to this track.  A nice slow beat with a simple piano backing.  The verses tell a darker story and gives way to a simple hook.  This changes the tone of both the lyrics and his voice but it works. 4.2/5

Out Of My Head- The bass kicks in this one.  The verses flow solid and tell a good story.  The hook is nicely written and will have any crowd singing along. 3.8/5

Under A Spell- The beat is simple but has a hint of Asian guitar in the background.  The dark theme continues in the lyrics and verses.  The hook keeps with that darker vibe and makes the flow of the track smooth. 4/5

Fuck Madchild- A very slow and driving pace to the beat here.  Madchild flows in his verses with the beat this time.  The flow is very slow and deliberate here.  No real hook in this one but it isn’t needed. 3.7/5

Good Crazy- A slower old school feel with the beat in this one.  The verses and hook both flow together and make the track enjoyable.  A good end to this album for sure. 3.8/5

Overall Rating:  4.1/5

 

Conclusion: This album is another solid release from the Battleaxe Warrior/Subnoize group. Since his last solo release Madchild has released a solid effort with Swollen Members and done a lot of touring.  That hasn’t slowed his progression or production in the solo realm.  This release is definitely worth picking up if you are fans of his work or just a fan of hip hop in general.

Favorite Tracks:

  1. Iran
  2. Hellbound

Length:

  • 61 Minutes

Record Label:

  • Battle Axe Records

Release Date:

  • 09/30/2014

Purchase:

Websites:

Reviewer:

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