Goodie Mob preaches Southern morality

CD REVIEW

By Jeff Knurgel, Special to the On-line Forty-Niner

April 23,1998

 

 

Atlanta act proves down-home rap is 'Still Standing'

 

If every song on the radio sounds exactly the same to you, then prepare for some good ol' fashioned Georgia home cookin'. Straight out of Atlanta, the Goodie Mob shows off some of the most diverse styles in hip-hop with the group's latest album, "Still Standing."

 

The stew it cooks up consists of compelling rhymes, an undertone of social consciousness, an occasional group chorus and several impressive cameo appearances. This, the quartet's sophomore effort, features 15 tracks, and not a lemon in the bunch.

 

Most of the songs can be characterized as having infectious choruses. "Black Ice" and "Fly Away" are no exception, with the latter unleashing the signature slow and bass-heavy beat that rap songs from the South are known for.

 

The album's messages come to fruition in "Beautiful Skin," a celebration of females, which in the words of the group is "out of common respect for all women."

 

"Just About Over" is an interesting combination of heavy metal, rap and rhythm-and-blues vocals, in which the versatility of group member Cee-Lo is evident. He does most of the singing on "Still Standing," but is, without a doubt, a bona fide MC first and foremost.

 

Cypress Hill's DJ Muggs lends a hand in producing "Inshallah," a cut that delivers a moral. The song has an almost-devout chorus, including the words:

 

How can I promise you forever, when I can't even promise the rest of the day?

 

All I know is we started this journey together, and hopefully we can make it the rest of the way.

 

"Still Standing" is not only an epiphany of life-affirming truths and human perseverance, but also the most artistically diverse and innovative rap album to hit the streets thus far in 1998. It is a must-buy - and the fact that you don't hear it on the radio is a good thing.