Spring Break
Hip-hop group Atmosphere shows depth,
shines in its latest studio production
Tommy Wright
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Student Culture
Although it has been two and a half years since Atmosphere's last proper release, "You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having," the musical act has been keeping itself busy.
The underground hip-hop group released four EPs in its "Sad Clown Bad Dub" series and put out a free album, "Strictly Leakage," during the time since its last official album in October of 2005.
Atmosphere has also been on multiple tours during the past few years, performing with a live band.
The Minnesota-based group includes Slug, who raps, and Ant, who does the production.
The group's new album, "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold," takes a more mature, lyrical approach than its previous albums, although it still has Slug's signature storytelling-rap style.
In comparison to past albums, the subject matter is darker and deeper than that of "You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having" but is more complex than that of "Lucy Ford" and "God Loves Ugly."
"Yesterday" is one of the standout tracks from the album. The beat is a laid-back piano sample, reminiscent to some of the more recent beats Ant has laid down.
Slug talks about missing someone and wishing for a chance to talk to him or her again. This immediately made me think he was talking about the subject of many of Atmosphere's previous songs, Lucy, who may not truly exist but represents the girl who got away. Toward the end of the track, though, it is revealed that the song is about Slug's dad.
"Yesterday" is similar to Atmosphere songs on past albums in the way that it is very introspective. The songs on the new album, however, mostly look outward at other people's stories.
Parenthood is a reoccurring theme on the album. In fact, the deluxe edition of the album includes a hardcover book with a children's story written by Slug.
"In Her Music Box" is another song that deals with parenthood. The song is about a little girl who drives around with her dad listening to rap music. Although the music is no doubt a negative influence on her (she sings along to the songs, leaving out the bad words, besides "bitch," which makes her dad laugh), it is an escape for her from hearing her parents fight. The father comes off as a bad parent in the song, and it seems like it is due more to inexperience rather than to not putting in an effort.
The underground hip-hop group released four EPs in its "Sad Clown Bad Dub" series and put out a free album, "Strictly Leakage," during the time since its last official album in October of 2005.
Atmosphere has also been on multiple tours during the past few years, performing with a live band.
The Minnesota-based group includes Slug, who raps, and Ant, who does the production.
The group's new album, "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold," takes a more mature, lyrical approach than its previous albums, although it still has Slug's signature storytelling-rap style.
In comparison to past albums, the subject matter is darker and deeper than that of "You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having" but is more complex than that of "Lucy Ford" and "God Loves Ugly."
"Yesterday" is one of the standout tracks from the album. The beat is a laid-back piano sample, reminiscent to some of the more recent beats Ant has laid down.
Slug talks about missing someone and wishing for a chance to talk to him or her again. This immediately made me think he was talking about the subject of many of Atmosphere's previous songs, Lucy, who may not truly exist but represents the girl who got away. Toward the end of the track, though, it is revealed that the song is about Slug's dad.
"Yesterday" is similar to Atmosphere songs on past albums in the way that it is very introspective. The songs on the new album, however, mostly look outward at other people's stories.
Parenthood is a reoccurring theme on the album. In fact, the deluxe edition of the album includes a hardcover book with a children's story written by Slug.
"In Her Music Box" is another song that deals with parenthood. The song is about a little girl who drives around with her dad listening to rap music. Although the music is no doubt a negative influence on her (she sings along to the songs, leaving out the bad words, besides "bitch," which makes her dad laugh), it is an escape for her from hearing her parents fight. The father comes off as a bad parent in the song, and it seems like it is due more to inexperience rather than to not putting in an effort.
Be the first to comment on this story