My copy of Legz Diamond/The Purple Gang’s ‘9 Pistolas’ album arrived today, and I figured I’d review it without giving away too much of the plot; this is definitely a story-tellers album, probably the best Psychopathic Records has released since Violent J’s ‘Wizard of the Hood’ EP.

I may misinterpret the plot in places, I’ve only listened to it all the way thru 3 times and it is so well written that I discover new angles in the story’s lyrics with each and every play.  Don’t take my suggestions on the story subjects as gospel, I could be off.

Let me start by saying this; I listen to all genres of music, and appreciate the art of music in general.  I am a Juggalo, but I am writing this from the perspective of a music fan, not as a Juggalo.  I also can’t stress enough that these are purely my opinions, and they are very likely to differ from your own.  If you disagree with my thoughts, then more power to you.  But I recommend getting the album if only to make up your own mind.

With that said, here is my track-by-track review, with marks out of five for each song;

 

1. Intro

Great mood-setter, its been a long time since Psychopathic Records has released an album that I’ve hit the play button and the intro track has said “You’re in for some shit, get ready!”  No complaints here, great vibe and voice-over from Bushwick Bill

4 out of 5

 

2. 9 Pistolas

A funky lil’ groove, got elements of that classic double bass and brass instrument sound that 1930’s swing music was built on, along with the occasional rock guitar stab that elevates things just enough to give a relatively laid-back track some energy.  Legz Diamond sings his way thru descriptions of his titular 9 Pistolas, giving each one its own identity and personality.  I love this one, solid opening track.

4 out of 5

 

3. Mary Jane

I really dig the sound of this track, sounds like a romantic song that wouldn’t be out of place on a Luther Vandross or Alexander O’Neil album.  A real sweet smokers song, introducing us to Mary Jane, a woman who runs the weed game.

4 out of 5

 

4. Feared & Respected

Picking up a similar vibe to the ‘9 Pistolas’ track, this is a bass-driven introduction to the Purple Gang.  If you got your free copy of this track in last week’s Hatchet Herald, then you’ll know what it sounds like.  I loved this song straight from the jump when I got the single, and I love it on the album just as much.  I am a huge mark for Jumpsteady, and hearing him here was awesome.  Sugar Slam’s vocals are good too, and definitely adds color to the song.

5 out of 5

 

5. I’m Not Happy

The beat sounds very trip-hop to me, which definitely floats my boat.  Its a nice companion song to ICP’s ‘Hate Her To Death’ – a tale of woe, its about waking up one morning and realising that the love you had for your woman just isn’t there any more.  It’s moody, but a little too laid back for me to feel its a particularly note-worthy song.

3 out of 5

 

6. Tommy Gun

I fucking love this track.  As soon as I heard it in the commercial, I knew I would want to hear this song over and over again, and I am not disappointed with it.  Daringly dipping its toes into the waters of dubstep in places though rather more rock in vibe, the beat, the lyrics, the tunes and melodies, everything about it blows me away – apt for a song about the prowess of the Thompson submachine gun.

5 out of 5

 

7. Made Man

An acoustic guitar-driven, sing-a-long anthem that guitar playing Juggalos are destined to be singing around campfires with their homies for years to come.  A song about betrayal, I’m going to just say this; it evokes a Foo Fighters track to me, and that is no bad thing.  This one is going to be getting heavy rotation on my iTunes so I can learn it, because it makes me want to sing with it.

4 out of 5

 

8. So Fresh

Back to that 1930’s swing sound, but with a more contemporary beat framework.  The first thing that stood out to me was the wrestling references in the lyrics, which I dug.  A song about being the shit I guess, and it works.  Cold 187um guests and I dug his part. Good track, but nothing truly special about it.

3 out of 5

 

9. Anarchy

Another stand-out song, heavy in sound, about the Purple Gang’s reign of terror in the city.  Damn, what a great hook this track has!  Again, Jumpsteady and Sugar Slam add elements that carry the song along nicely.  I love hearing little things like the dubstep elements and the rock guitars that bubble subtly under the surface of the beat.

4 out of 5

 

10. Eternity Missed

This resounds with a KRS-One vibe to me; not in terms of the vocal delivery from Legz Diamond, but the beat and Sugar Slam’s harmonies.  This one is going to become a favourite of mine, I can tell with each listen that I like it more and more.  A song about the regret of “woulda, shoulda, coulda”.

4 out of 5

 

11. Woody

Not sure what to make of this one.  The obligatory sex song, the beat doesn’t sound out of place in its sound yet comes off as cartoonish and silly in comparison to the tone of everything that has come before it.  I’m not sure why, but in my opinion this song is a bit of a misstep on an otherwise solid album so far.

2 out of 5

 

12. Cocaine Cowboys

Not a big fan of this track; I think it’s largely down to the beat itself more than the lyrics, which boast about the Purple Gang’s cocaine trafficking.  I just find the music a little chaotic, which I guess works for the theme of narcotics, but following from the previous song, I was hoping the vibe would get back on track with the rest of the album.  I don’t think it quite succeeds with this song.

3 out of 5

 

13. Paradise Parade

All is forgiven for the short-comings of the last two songs with this one; I couldn’t tell you what its about, but its a captivating listen and was a beautiful surprise.  Juggalos who like the Dark Carnival angles of ICPs songs will eat this up.  I’d actually say this was almost a sequel song to ICP’s ‘Pass Me By’.  Love it!

5 out of 5

 

14. Not In Real Life

Another Legz Diamond sing-a-long song, its a chilled out track that has a sound that I couldn’t begin to describe.  Don’t let that put you off, its another good track.  The lyrics are really nice, but again I am struggling to tell you what they pertain to in regards to the tale of the Purple Gang.

3 out of 5

 

15. Top Of The World

The traditional epic closing song.  Psychopathic Records has a solid history of ending their albums with anthems, and this one is a worthy addition to the collection.  After his rise to the top of the world, Legz belts out a song of retrospection in honour of his Mom who has passed away before she got to see her son’s rise to fortune and fame.  It wraps things up nicely with a Barenaked Ladies vibe.

4 out of 5

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS:  Don’t dismiss this CD based purely on its gimmick, it is absolutely a Juggalo album and it definitely did not disappoint me.  I can’t wait for the sequel, and would LOVE to see a few of the songs depicted in a short film about the Purple Gang done in a classic noire style.  I am thoroughly impressed with this album, and praise everyone who worked on it for producing a quality product.  It won’t be for everyone, but there is absolutely an audience that will enjoy this album as much as I did.  Don’t pass it up!

Favorite Tracks:

1. Paradise Parade
2. Made Man
3. Tommy Gun

Length:

• 51 Minutes 39 Seconds

Record Label:

• Psychopathic Records

Release Date:

• 03/19/2013

Purchase:

• HatchetGear.com - $9.98

Websites:

• PsychopathicRecords.com

Reviewer:

• MC Cryptid