A “love” song about a girl Big Boi refers to as the Apple Of My Eye begins and ends with the sound of someone biting an apple. That’s one of many annoying bits sprinkled about what, depending on how you classify his Speakerboxx, stands as his second or third album, entitled Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors because short album titles aren’t zany enough. The worst of those bits has a man ranting about boys who focus more on basketball than schoolwork. Even if you agree with his generalization, it’s his voice that makes him sound stupid. Nevermind the fact that the sermon seems to have no relevance in the context in which it’s presented.

Such flaws would be easier to forgive, or at least ignore, if the songs they’re mixed with were enjoyable enough to distract, but most aren’t. Big Boi’s music is quirky and fresh; while nowhere near my “top-ten” list, his rap skills aren’t too far behind those of his Outkast partner Andre 3000; but this sets lacks the appeal of his previous album. That’s most noticeable during the chorus sections. Most are decent; the rapper knows enough to recruit guest singers like Sarah Barthel of Phantogram; but the melody Wavves leader Nathan Williams provides on Shoes For Running sounds atrocious and the Thom Pettie hook hardly qualifies as such.

my rating : 3 of 5

2012