Quality Junk
David W. Kincannon II | Denver, CO, USA | 06/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Few people in the mainstream know the name Luke Geraty. That just goes to prove how unfair rap music is. While Li'l John can make a song a hit just by saying "Yeah" a few times, underground heads toil in obscurity just for the satisfaction of writing quality rhymes and making great songs. So is the plight of Luke Geraty. When putting on this cd, two things will jump out at you.
First, the cd is dark. The beats are dark, the topics are (for the most part) dark, and the tone of Geraty's voice is dark. That's not to say he doesn't like to have fun. Pandemonium, featuring Pigeon John and Red Cloud is an extremely fun track, and there are a few skits/extras that are amusing. However, deriving most of his influence from the Def Jux/Aniticon style of hip hop means that the album mostly eschews the bouncy beats that seem to be saturating hip hop at the moment.
Second, Luke is deep. This is separate from the previous. Just because something is dark, doesn't mean that it's deep. The Geto Boys' "My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me" is dark, but not really deep. Luke Geraty goes into some fairly deep topics on this disc. Whether it's failed relationships, abuse, past failings, WWII Japanese Internment Camps, the loss of one's children, etc. he tackles it with conviction and passion.
If you're into hip hop that has heart and intelligence, pick up this disc. You won't be disappointed."
-- creatively revolutionary --
Tenacious Dan | Canada | 11/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the few Christian hip-hop albums that is not laden in cheese. The lyrics are real, raw, and emotional, detailing real life struggles and real life victories. The cuts used are by far creative, and dare I say experimental, avoiding the mainstream plethora of cheap sounding drum machines and tired rhythms.
All of this is to say that the album is well worth, at the least, to listen to you, if not to buy. There are few tracks that are mediocre."