Awol One & eCID

Though not as flamboyant as Eminem, Awol One deftly crafts narratives of an alternate reality that most people keep secluded deep in some gray-matter fold. Partnered with MC and producer eCID on this the latest installment of psycho-gore, Awol continues his dark introspective musings. eCID does a masterful job of juxtaposing Awol’s rhymes with delightfully danceable industrial sounds, and matching Awol’s ravenous lyrics with his own. “Root for the Villain” sets the tone of the album with tinny bass guitar, futuristic wah-wahs and rusty horns. “Skeleton & Fresh” is a challenge to MCs who have a tendency to believe that their shit don’t stink. On the track, eCID takes the hearts of sentimental backpackers and chews on them while they are still beating (and he does so as a vocal doppelgänger of two Chico MCs, Tsunami and SickBird—Sickbiiirrrrrd!): “Mr. Rapfanatic thinks that all rap today sucks/ ’cuz his favorites lost their edge and went for bucks.” Most of the beats are haunting head-nodders that will undoubtedly move your cranium and make you cringe. This album is a celebration of all things pariah, and on “Selling Out for the Sport” Awol could care less: “We’re too cool for your stupid magazines/and never fit in to your trendy scenes.” Peace Aye Jay.