Search - Crest :: Skeptik

The pride of Madison

Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 03/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"AD and Jack Cracker (The Crest) have been around for a LONG time (1997 to be exact). Sadly, that seems to be the typical span of time before an underground hip-hop collective gains some real global recognition. Uprising Records (a label that mostly consists of independent artists...except for Fall Out Boy) finally had the smarts to pick up The Crest for the first national release of their career. "Skeptik" reaches several heights. There is a genuine sense of intellect on many message-tracks. Whether it's relationship problems, political ideology, depression, etc. There's also plenty of fun fist pumping jams included with plenty of lighthearted lyrics with references to drinking, smoking weed and partying. They really capture a brilliant balance of work and play. Their flows are insightful, soulful, which employs a lot of hunger. You may know Jack Cracker from his brief Scribble Jam fame. He received a lot of airtime as he served wack cats wearing his "Wiscompton" t-shirt. AD is a little different. His style is a little more relaxed, and flows with a little more soul which compliments Jack Cracker nicely. The production is a big part of this album's success. They always had the soul and hunger on the mics, but the minimal production and engineering never brought their statement full circle like "Skeptik" has.



The Wisconsin crew had mainly catered to their local scene until now. The Minneapolis' underground hip-hop scene and other like-minded areas have acknowledged their enormous talent as well. When I listen to this album compared to their other records, I hear a very high quality product that the masses should really be getting their hands on. The record opens with the appropriate "Back To The Basics". Their fresh style excited my ears immediately. They take it "back to the basement" to exemplify what real inspiration is. Frankly, it makes me want to slam down a few Genuine Draft's and listen to the record in it's entirety, which is what I've continued to do since I bought it. Then comes their first single off the record - "Heart Shaped Box". It's tranquil production and bouncy rhythm is rightly accessible for the masses...beautiful. AD shines big time on "Big Wallet" with some of my favorite lyrics on the album. The production is creepy and follows him flawlessly. The title track ("Skeptik") is a chilling political statement that hits at the right time. They add angles to their political statements that make them interesting as opposed to clichéd. They really wrap it up into a state of mind, and a way of living. It's nice to see that they are smarter than most rappers. "Contageous" brings some observational rhymes about peers heading down the wrong road, whether it be drinking, or their place in the music industry. "No More Lady" was actually released on their independent record "Binge Thinking" (2003)...we get to see it hear in it's fully remastered form...a great tune. A sure favorite for just about any hip-hop head will be "L-Ascorbic Acid". It includes some ultra sick (if short) battle rhymes brought to you by XXXL heavyweight Carnage, and battle champ Eyedea. The best political statement on the record would have to be "Mr.". The production is just plain addictive. They focus mainly on greedy corporations, and also the war...very insightful. Also, don't miss out on track 19 (the unlisted hidden track). Jack Cracker kicks out some of his sickest battle rhymes to date in an ill freestyle.



What else can I say that will persuade you to buy this incredible album? To say it's better than a mainstream rap album is painfully obvious. They can spit rhymes with the best of them. They can write insightful, meaningful lyrics as well. You'd be hard-pressed to find a duo as tight as AD and Jack Cracker. Overall, this is the grand statement they have been waiting to unleash on the world. Uprising Records would have never picked them up if "Skeptik" wasn't a certified classic. The whole crew even signed my copy after their incredible live show. They're just some cool cats that have some real things to say. Bless `em."

A long time coming.....

Benjamin Egan | Madison, WI USA | 07/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After about 6 years of playing underground shows in and around Madison, Wisconsin, The CREST have finally seem to surface in a big way. After gaining quite a following, brothers AD (Adam) and Jack Cracker (Josh) have found the niche that they seemed to be lacking. The debut of their new album SKEPTIK is a perfect stepping stone for their new label Uprising Records, www.uprisingrecords.com The CREST proves that you can still make a quality record without selling out or going mainstream. The overall feel of the record is remincent of midwest independant hip-hop made popular by the likes of Atmosphere, Eyedea and Brother Ali of (...)The album seems to have mastered the production that seemed to be lacking in previous albums thanks to DJ Skrabble and Jayson Blare. Here is a run down of the Tracks and a rating...



2. Back to the Basics (8) - Cleaver wordplay with a catchy hook makes for a great opening song and one hell of song to do live.



3. Heart Shaped Box (10) - ISTANT CLASSIC. A beautiful song about their love for music. A perfect combination between the music and lyrics. This is where they prove their MC skills. The background vocals from Jen McCoy compliment the song perfectly. Press the repeat button for this.



4. Big Wallet (7.5) - Calling out the "Big Wallets" to come out play. Cleaver lines make this a quality song.



6. Skeptik (10) - Opening the song with an excerpt from Noam Chomsky, we see the politically aware side of the CREST come alive. Complete with eye-opening lyrics thrown through a whirlwind of wordplay, the result is a pefectly contructed political statement. "You want to change something, change the substance not the shadow."



7. Contageous (8.5) - Exactly what you would think. It's kind of contageous. I often find myself saying "Get youself some blue blockers man! These babies bling!"



8. L-Ascorbic Acid (9) - Nice upbeat song that makes you want to nod your head for days. Originally named Vitamin C, they decided to get smart and drop it's scientific name. With special appearences by Eyedea and Carnage out of Minneapolis, MN the track is one you'll have fun listening to.



9. No More Lady (9) - Originally off of the Binge Thinking record, this songs makes its return to Skeptik. Telling of relationship problems with a catchy hook makes for a smooth song both recorded and live.



11. Riot (Director's Cut) (8) - The CREST is always trying to experiment with new styles and sounds. On this chaotic track they show a little aggression to make other MC's think twice before hating.



12. Cruzin' Chubby's (9.5) - A play on the Gentlemans Club Cruisin Chubby's outside of Wisconsin Dells, this hilarious song brings laughes about the lovely fat girls. A Bouncing beat and accompaning lyrics turn this song into one you'll be repeating later.



14. Mr. (10) - Supa Ranks make a guest appearance to give a Jamaican feel to a story filled song about opening your eyes. The lyrics in this song make it.



15. Independant (8.5) - A song to the true hip-hop heads who have been following independant hip-hop since basement break beats. "Hip hop for profit has got my radio locked in a closet, and thank god i can't pick locks or I would of had it dropped kicked." "

Wisconsin Hip-Hop

Eric Geller | Tucson, AZ | 07/27/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a real fan of the Crest for sometime. I've been to many of their shows around Wisconsin. I loved their previous work, the low production values(i've heard a lot worse) never bugged me. Up until this album I felt AD and Jack Cracker stayed true to their sound. I felt like they had lost something on this album. Maybe it was the better production, maybe it was that the lyrics weren't quite to the calibur I am used to with this group. I can't put my finger on it but I feel something was missing. Maybe it was that now the Crest sounds a little more like every other generic underground hip-hop group out there. Don't get me wrong there are definately a few good tracks here. My opinion is that this was a small hiccup in their career and they will be back with someting bigger and badder soon. If you're familiar with the old Crest sound, its here but not exactly what you're probably used to. I will forever buy any album they put out(i was so excited to buy this album at the local record store in Tucson, AZ) so hopefully the next one quenches my thirst for the Crest sound that I crave. It may be a local biased opinion but I still think the Crest is one of the best groups out there."