Wanted to get thoughts out on all the major releases this year and am already really backed. Figured it was time to stop driftin' through outer space mentally and actually get some of these thangs down...lets begin way back in January.
I was all amped for RJD2's newest record The Colossus. "Games You Can Win" was an instant classic for me and I also loved the excellent videos ("Let There Be Horns" and "The Glow") he dropped prior to the release date. Then Jan. 19th came and went and I totally blanked on copping it. Flashforward (how is that show still on TV anyways) to February before I realized my egregious error.
The Colossus sees RJD2 steppin' back from the mic and heading back behind the production curtain ala his 2004 masterpiece Deadringer. Utilizing equal parts blazing licks ("Giant Squid", "The Stranger", "Gypsy Caravan") and walls of synthesizers ("A Space Ship For Now", "Small Plans") he's one of the most versatile beat makers out right now.
Meanwhile, by only manning lead vocals on a handful of tracks, RJ lets others do the speaking for him. Kenna delivers cautionary warnings about success in the eerie "Games You Can Win". Little Brother's Phonte Coleman croons about the right way in the 50s-soul of "The Shining Path", while Aaron Livingston stands in funky defiance in the James Brown-esque "Crumbs Off The Table". Stand out "A Son's Cycle" is a straight-up hip-hop cut in the vein of classic RJD2 "FHH". But, sensing the time is right, RJ slides back front-and-center, asking the listener to join him over peppery horn blasts in the closer "Walk With Me".
RJ's caught a lot of flack for The Colossus' tendency to bounce between too many genres, leaving it unfocused. I don't necessarily see that as a con...the endless curiosity explored on the record shows the endless possibilities for a good producer. That lesson is one that too many people missed and what makes The Colossus one of the best albums of 2010 so far.
Grade: 8.5/10
Buy: RJD2 - The Colossus
MySpace: RJD2
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