Bad Dreams
There's no shortage of bad dreams on this follow-up toBalance, Swollen Members' full-length debut (and indie-hip-hop success story). Take, for instance, "Anthrax Island," recorded pre-September 11, 2001. It's not enough that the narrator is on said island--he's a cannibal, too! The title track is just as scary, thanks to producer Alchemist and some spooky keyboards. ButBad Dreamsisn't all doom and gloom, as the Vancouver act's Mad Child and Prevail take on such topics as cross-border rapping (in "RPM") and the virtues of late-night recording ("Deep End"). The two have plenty of help, particularly from theDilated Peoplescrew--MCs Evidence and Iriscience and DJ Babu contribute to a number of tracks, including "RPM" and "Full Contact." Other guests includeDJ Revolution, who contributes some thrilling turntable action to the Snap!-sampling "Take It Back"; Rattlesnake Jones (you've gotta love that tag); and Chris Guy, who adds extra spice to the flamenco guitar stylings of "Snake Bite." But Mad Child and Prevail really prove their flow on "Ventilate," which finds the MCs trading insults in an electric, funny dialogue and the ultracatchy "Fuel Injected." The meditative "High Road" wraps things up with Zen-like calm, and hints at even better things to come from this rock-steady West Coast hip-hop crew.--Shawn Conner