Search - John Reuben :: Boy Vs the Cynic

Boy Vs the Cynic
John Reuben
Boy Vs the Cynic
Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Rock, Christian & Gospel
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1


     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: John Reuben
Title: Boy Vs the Cynic
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Gotee Records
Release Date: 6/21/2005
Album Type: Enhanced
Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Rock, Christian & Gospel
Styles: Pop Rap, Rap & Hip-Hop, Pop & Contemporary
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 669447294702

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CD Reviews

John Reubenite!
C. Page | London, Ohio | 08/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"A real gem, and lyrical dynamite!



This album is amazing. By far the artist's most mature sound, J Reu's messages, too, have come a long way. The tracks pump beats harder, the syncopation pops, and the lyrics are as clear as they've always been, if not "a bit passionate for your radio," as the line goes in Out of Control. And like a good meal, this album is rich in both the heavy and the light. What About Them? is perhaps the album's darkest song, attacking American ethnocentrism; Follow Your Leader is more of the same (this reviewer hasn't heard anything so convicting since the Supertones wrote Health and Wealth). And Cooperate will leave you wondering if this is the same artist who wrote Do Not, as it confronts the "costumes" yound adults put on. Out of Control and So Glad are the album's party songs. Sunshine and All I Have are the feel-good Elms/Reliant K-ish raps, although the energy leans more toward the hard-hitting drums and guitars of Reliant K. And speaking of Reliant K, Matt Thiessen of that band joins Reuben in Nuisance, creating harmonics so perfect you'll wonder why they never teamed up before.



Don't listen to this album if you're ready for "the usual." The Boy vs. The Cynic is something unlike Reuben's ever made. Appearing on the cover in a full-length formal suit may be one's first clue as to the reality Reuben wants to hammer home. But inasmuch as he knows how to make you reevalute your life, he also knows how to make you laugh. See if you can't also catch his music video for Nuisance and keep a straight face.



The layers abound. J Reu continues to suprise. A complex album that explores so many different angles that one's bound to see the only thing holding it all together is the epicenter, Christ."
A Breath of Fresh Air
Anthony Fullmer | USA | 05/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"If ever a CD was named aptly, it was this one. The Boy vs. the Cynic is one of the most hard hitting Christian Rap albums ever released. In a genre known for its uplifting and encouraging rhymes, John Reuben makes a bold move toward darker, but undoubtedly more important subject matter. John calls out American culture and Christianity alike, condeming corruption and complacency. John does the important job of admonishing the lackluster attitude of American Christianity and our compromising ways. In 'What About Them?' he lays down a convicting set of lyrics that speaks of the church's inability to walk the talk:



"Please remember to say grace before we scrape our plates and ignore the crying outside the door - sure you'll pray for their burdens but you don't want to make it yours."



Overall, a very satisfying, convicting, and enriching lyrical set from the fearless John Reuben. A definate buy for any believer seeking to forgo much of Christian music's fluff to address deeper spiritual matters."
New album has both Boy and Cynic
Sarah P. | Ohio | 06/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wasn't much of a Reuben fan before. I was listening to the radio one day and heard a song with the familiar voice of Matthew Thiessen (of Relient K.) I found later that the song was John Reuben's newest single, "Nuisance." The contrast of John's flowing rap and Thiessen's great harmonies, the song quickly became a favorite.



When the CD came out, I got it as soon as I could. For not being a fan of rap music, it's a great CD! It was reported that this time around, John Reuben sent two sets of songs to the record label (Gotee), one being a regular John Reuben tracklist, and the other more of a "side project" type of thing that seemed a bit more of a cynical. Gotee liked both projects and decided to mix the tracks from both for the next CD. Because of this, there's a great mix of stabbing views on society and optimistic hopes for the future.



A lot of the tracks seem to poke at some of society's latest trends. "Follow Your Leader" is an observation of last November's elections, when celebrities who had no political experience began to get involved, with lines like, "Sure you can sing and dance, but that don't mean you're qualified to give America advice." The song "What About Them?" talks about our nation's negligent behavior to other country's problems. On the other side of the spectrum, the sixth track - "Sunshine" - reminds us that God is there even if the future seems difficult.



John has a lot to say on this album and he does it with awesome sense of rhythm, eloquence, and passion. Using witty rhymes and interesting figures of speech, he gets the point across and simultaneously gets the catchy tunes stuck in your head."