THE VILLEBILLIES
"The
Villebillies" (Rhythm & Booze; 2006)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
I wrestled for several months on whether or not to post a review of the Villebillies self-titled CD here on the pages of RoughEdge.com. Why? Well, this music certainly isn't hard rock, heavy metal or punk although, stretching things a bit, it might be considered alternative. But that would a big stretch. The fact is that The Villebillies is, pure and simple, a hip hop CD.
Yes. A hip-hop CD.
I guess you could call "The Villebillies" rap rock but even that would be pressing things. The CD is driven by rap-rhythmed vocals and hip-hop tempos and, although there is most definitely a powerful rock band working hard in the background, this CD is even more hip-hop oriented than, say, the last Limp Bizkit CD (although it's much better than that).
But, as I continued listening to "The Villebillies," (being sucked in each time by the title track, "Whiskey," which is now my current ringtone), I found myself being more and more drawn into their sound. The bouncy rhythms, the lyrical vocals, the well-placed bass and guitars, the dynamic production ... all of this combined to create a hip-hop album that, not only could I get through, but that I actually enjoyed.
If you're a RoughEdge.com reader whose tastes lean more toward Slipknot than Linkin Park, chances are The Villebillies won't interest you in the slightest. And that's cool. Those who dig the rap rock sound, however, will probably be as unexpectedly enchanted by the Villebillies as I was.
For more information, check out http://www.villebillies.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 11 Nov 2008 01:44:55 -0600
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