The third full-length album by Minnesota duo Atmosphere is filled with many lyrical metaphors and snare-based beats.
Often cynical at times, lyricist Slug meticulously crafts his words so the structure allows them to relate to his listeners. They are complex in a subtle way, but he does not use a thousand obnoxiously huge words that keep you steady with a dictionary. “And the bricks weigh more than they lead you to believe/ Just remember don’t let nobody lead you to believe.”
Slug himself is just another brick in the wall, not in the sense that he is similar to other rappers making music because he is definitely more unique than most, but because he is just a common person who has left his bag open so you can look through his things.
A bit emotional at times, he continuously raps about “Lucy” and this album is no different. The song “Fuck you Lucy” is a well-drawn landscape that depicts his hate for this female metaphor.
“Do I sound mad?/ Well I guess I’m a little pissed/ Every action has a point/ Five points make a fist/ You close ’em/ You swing ’em/ It hurts when it hits.”
Slug continues to go on about his pain for about four more minutes and his anguish is not just visualized but heard in the way his words flow out of his mouth. It sounds as if he is gritting his teeth on a colorfully striped bendy-straw while delivering his verse. “And she still wonders why I’m so insecure/ She giggles because I sleep with a.”
The next song is introduced by this phrase accompanied by a very nicely tapped piano segment by producer Ant as Slug explains to a female counterpart on why Atmosphere and people like Slug do not have groupies, “Hair” is what this song is called.
It is funny and will put a smile on your face if your one that is not into the whole “I’m going to whore myself to a band” mentality that some women have programmed or been programmed into their brains.
It is the account of a groupie trying to get with him after a show, and how she pretty much has one thing on her mind. She doesn’t really care about his person; she only cares about the fact that he has just been on stage. She must run away with him.
“I don’t know/Can’t imagine something small as alcohol and hormones turning out to be anything big.”
The story ends with him giving in, but on their way to a nice lonely spot, they run a red light, and they both die.
This song leads into the title track of the album and just a fantastic song overall, does not get old even after a million listens.
Once that simple piano melody comes in and then the snare just snaps down, compliments of Ant, Slug just rips one into the back jelly parts of your brain. “I wear my scars like the rings of a pimp/ I live life like the captain of a sinking ship”
The music creates a scene of a black and grey, drizzly, cloudy day.
“I welcome all the hatred you can aim at my name/ I held on to the sacred ways of how to play the game/ When the soldiers started runnin’ short on rations/ I began tappin’ the egg to spark the hatch/ an’ make it happen/ Now take this captain to the Gallows/It keeps steerin’ us into an area that’s shallow.”
Ant’s beats are nothing too unique, but they are of a nature that makes you spin the song again just for the composition of music. He incorporates a lot of piano melody and snappy drum lines.
Together, Slug and Ant complement each other to equal chivalry. Standout musical tracks include “Blamegame.” Ant utilizes a reggae type of beat to underlay Slug’s word play. “It’s hard to hide a magic card when you wear a short-sleeve.”
This is a smooth and icky album all in one play. Slug’s steady, tricky, and playful yet serious rhyming compounded with Ant’s street-corner, neck-popping productions equates to a joyful ride for your ears and inner eye. “Beat the point dead until these folks hear me clearly.”