Album reviews are weird cause I would literally never listen to GRITS on my own. But I guess that’s why I’m doing this, and honestly I can get down to Art of Translation.
The fourth album from GRITS got mostly good reviews, won a Dove award and the song “Ooo Ahhh” went gold, so they did alright.
The first two songs, as previously mentioned, were very popular and displayed around in the mainstream. From there, the songs vary from headache inducing sound-wall songs, to bops about the Christian classic, getting married so they can hook up.
Over all, it’s groovy though. I’ll be listening to the album and notice I’m dancing along even if the lyrics are “Do you understand the ill coined phrase, gospel rapper.”
Christian music is so interesting. It’s so specific, and Christian hip hop even more so, that done in an approachable way, like this album, it’s kind of accessible to everyone.
Some dude name Dan Leroy wrote a review on AllMusic saying “Yet, great as the album sounds, nothing on it is more remarkable than the sound of two conscious and gifted MCs responding to hip-hop thuggery with marriage and Jesus, instead of a hopeless ‘reality’ or revolutionary tripe.”
I make fun of things like this a lot, because I was raised a) to make fun of things, and b) in the church and then later fell out of faith. Reality, though, it’s not as common in the mainstream to rap about respect, trust and honesty.
Overall, I won’t put it on rotation but if you’re dabbling in religion and you need a way in, take this one. It’s comfortable and respectable while still feeling you up.
Do you have thoughts on Christian music? Is it possible for the genre to bleed over into mainstream and interest the non-believer?
ANYWAY.
On Tuesday I’m flying to Oregon for a two week break from NYC/farewell before Europe. My first NY roommates Cam and Matt are getting married, and my best friend Katy and her charming darling Steve are getting married. So it’s going to be a love-filled trip, and I can’t wait to be in homeland territory.
I’m also going to read the longest book on my list (per flying 6 hours west) Unfinished Work by Kevin Max of DC Talk.
As far as I can tell, the book is about trying to discover your place in the world, your profession and still be a good person (whilst coincidentally walking in the path of Christ).
I have very little faith (in general and) in the book, but let’s do it. I guess I decided this is what I want all my free time to be, so here I am owning up to all my (bad) ideas.
Also (and definitely more fun) my love Molly and I are having a Golden Girls themed sleepover, so if you’ve got ideas on how to help us get in the mood, send them right my way.
Wish me luck and SEE YOU IN OREGON.
JACLAND 