Atmosphere - Southsiders (DL Link added)

[12characters]

I loved it, man. Not their greatest work by any means, but Slug still held my interest as well as gave me a few quotables that I really dug. I didn't like some of the beats, and even hated one or two. But, I liked the majority and think Ant did a great job actually on songs like Flicker. But, the fact that it's new (and good) music from them, and the fact that I genuinely can get into what the music is about is why I love it.

[TranSlucEnt]

I loved it, man. Not their greatest work by any means, but Slug still held my interest as well as gave me a few quotables that I really dug. I didn't like some of the beats, and even hated one or two. But, I liked the majority and think Ant did a great job actually on songs like Flicker. But, the fact that it's new (and good) music from them, and the fact that I genuinely can get into what the music is about is why I love it.

good to hear man I'm glad you loved it. Which beats did you hate?

[classthe_king]

After a few days of letting this sink in and 6-7 listens I've really just comes to terms with the fact that Slug has lost that spark he had that made him interesting. Lyrically he still has some good lines but what made him good was how descriptive he was and how well you got to know the characters in his songs through his observations and details of their day to day life. These concepts are so vague and hidden behind metaphors that you hardly know what he's talking about let alone are able to connect to it. Flicker is brilliant and a nice flashback to how good of a writer he used to be but other than that I'll probably never listen to this album again.

[TranSlucEnt]

After a few days of letting this sink in and 6-7 listens I've really just comes to terms with the fact that Slug has lost that spark he had that made him interesting. Lyrically he still has some good lines but what made him good was how descriptive he was and how well you got to know the characters in his songs through his observations and details of their day to day life. These concepts are so vague and hidden behind metaphors that you hardly know what he's talking about let alone are able to connect to it. Flicker is brilliant and a nice flashback to how good of a writer he used to be but other than that I'll probably never listen to this album again.

maybe the spark fades with age, and the major change within ones life? (I disagree with you on this post, but Im just trying to provide some insight). and maybe Flicker isn't a flashback of how good he once was, but maybe a indication that he still 'has it in him'? Again I disagree with your post, Im just providing some insight. And really, the concepts aren't that vague. Slugs lyrics have always taken several (sometimes dozens) of listens before you get what he's truly saying. The only songs I dont really get fully are I Love You Like A Brother and Star Shaped Heart The rest are not that hard to figure out (assuming you're doing some 'deep listening' to the album).

[12characters]

I loved it, man. Not their greatest work by any means, but Slug still held my interest as well as gave me a few quotables that I really dug. I didn't like some of the beats, and even hated one or two. But, I liked the majority and think Ant did a great job actually on songs like Flicker. But, the fact that it's new (and good) music from them, and the fact that I genuinely can get into what the music is about is why I love it.

good to hear man I'm glad you loved it. Which beats did you hate?

Star Shaped Heart's beat didn't resonate well with me at all. Atmosphere's had a couple beats on a few projects that were like that with me though, even on some songs I think are great. Also, I didn't like Bitter's beat when I first heard it, but it's growing on me. Going to pick this up later on this week.

[TranSlucEnt]

I loved it, man. Not their greatest work by any means, but Slug still held my interest as well as gave me a few quotables that I really dug. I didn't like some of the beats, and even hated one or two. But, I liked the majority and think Ant did a great job actually on songs like Flicker. But, the fact that it's new (and good) music from them, and the fact that I genuinely can get into what the music is about is why I love it.

good to hear man I'm glad you loved it. Which beats did you hate?

Star Shaped Heart's beat didn't resonate well with me at all. Atmosphere's had a couple beats on a few projects that were like that with me though, even on some songs I think are great. Also, I didn't like Bitter's beat when I first heard it, but it's growing on me. Going to pick this up later on this week.

Cop that deluxe edition breh. Worth the $ there's an instrumental version of the album on iTunes too

[TranSlucEnt]

Atmosphere have such an extensive and varied amount of projects in their catalogue that it's going to take a special project to stand out amongst it all. Southsiders doesn't really achieve that, in my opinion.

HipHop DX wrote similar in their review:

Southsiders is a solid album. The production is consistent and there are moments of enlightenment from Slug. But due to Atmosphere’s already extensive catalog, it doesn’t easily separate itself from previous works.

Yeah, it doesn't really stand out that much, but still a solid project from them none the less. And lol at that comment

[TranSlucEnt]

checking this album out now!

I really like this album so far.

What did you think of it as a whole man? Did you hear the bonus tracks too?

[12characters]

I could never get into this album. I'm not a fan of synthesisers, and this album had synth in abundance.

What is the best Slug recommendation to get into his music?

The vast majority on the forum will agree with Bigray and say When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, but I've got to go with You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. I favoured the production on this album much more in comparison, and I think it's a more appealing project to newer listeners of their work.

Lemons is definitely my favorite project from them, but I do love You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Hell depending on my mood, I might choose it over Lemons. I think the key difference is not only the production, but Slug himself. In the latter, he sounds a bit more intense and the way he rides the sort of boom-bap-y beats make it sound more "hip hop" to me, where as Lemons has a more alternative sound to me. That's one of the reasons why I like it most.

[TranSlucEnt]

Lemons is what got me into them

[classthe_king]

Lemons is one of the most perfect Hip-Hop albums ever. You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having is great obvs but I think it starts a little weak and doesn't get into a groove until Pour Me Another

[Solace]

Everything before Pour Me Another is so fucking boring.

[TranSlucEnt]

http://youtu.be/G0D2pZCUrxU

Sway in the morning interview with camera thief and Kanye West performance

[CrashBand]

In terms of accessibility, listen to Lemons first. As Class and Solace said the start of You Can't Imagine is off-putting, so I'd go God Loves Ugly before that.

Listen to Sunshine early on as well.

Definitely don't listen to Southsiders first.

[Ku53v]

Everything before Pour Me Another is so fucking boring.

so is When life gives you lemons except for a handful of songs

Southsiders is pretty good, much better than I expected from the singles