That’s fair! For me, a 5 doesn’t need to be ground-breaking, just thoroughly enjoyable, top-to-bottom. I do agree that there’s some projects that’re more creative with the production (see JPEGMAFIA’s production on LP!) and that, lyrically, deal with some issues that are more poignant or that are explored more thoroughly (see Kendrick on basically everything).
But, for me, if I really like the way it sounds it’s a 5!!! I STAND BY MY RATING!!! hahaha
Great write-up, but this one felt like a bit of a step down from what he did with Feet of Clay or Some Rap Songs. Personally, I think Earl sounds best when he’s rapping over his own beats. This is why I think i was underwhelmed with Sick! too. Regardless, the worst Earl Sweatshirt release is still leaps above most other rappers’ best.
Ahh I definitely get that! I haven’t listened to Feet of Clay (yet) but on Some Rap Songs Earl was just lyrically brilliant. This (VOIR DIRE I mean) is my favourite project of his yet though. The production really sold it for me.
Feet of Clay is great but usually gets overshadowed by SRS when people talk about that era of Earl. It’s definitely worth a listen, the whole project is less than 20 minutes. Plus it introduced me to rappers like Mavi and Navy Blue, so it automatically scores high on my list.
Like most of earls projects, I’m sure that Voir Dire will grow on me, but I truthfully have never really got much out of Alc’s production. Both artists are great live though, I had the opportunity to see them on the NBA Leather tour last year. Hearing Earl Sweatshirt laugh at tiktok kids for trying to mosh to his songs hits a little different
I guess underrated was the wrong choice of words. It certainly is less well known than it deserves. Slint only had 2 records and in fact had broken up before this album was actually released so the record label basically just gave up on promoting it. It certainly was an influential album and is now getting the praise it deserves (32 years after it was originally released).
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