SLAUGHTERHOUSE ALBUM REVIEW

I'm sure ya'll know SLAUGHTERHOUSE, and if not watch the visuals provided for their first single 'THE ONE'



You likes? Good. Here's another album review for that ass...


The highly anticipated debut of rap supergroup Slaughterhouse may have gained too many expectations for the album to provide (at least for me). Overall, the album just seems to be a mixtape gone right without a host. While it is refreshing to hear each artist drop a verse on every song, it's hard for four distinguished MC's with lackluster careers to believe that this is the right step in terms of the aforementioned resume. The lack of chemistry allows the listener to be thankful that there are only 12 songs to listen to consecutively but fans should be happy that the album doesn't come off as a competition of "who's the best lyricist." A decent addition to each rapper's stat sheet but an unfortunate product for those who had high hopes for this being a potential turnaround piece of music in hip-hop.

Individual Track Review:

1. Sound Off- The “Slaughterhouse” conglomerate set things off well enough by “sounding off” in the roll call fashion of a lyrical exhibition. All four MC’s give verses that grow increasingly fast in speed as they give descriptions of their rolls in the group. A decent way to start things off and give people who haven’t heard these guys a chance to hear what they provide.

2. Lyrical Murderers (ft. Kay Young)- The lyrical quartet takes a laid back approach on this joint. Giving descriptions as to how they “murder” tracks, the four lyricists seem to lack chemistry in the midst of a hook that just doesn’t grab attention. Decent lines from everyone but not a standout track in all.

3. Microphone- Slaughterhouse goes hard on this one (with each verse getting more vicious, possibly intentionally). Providing straight lyricism is what they came here to do and they do not disappoint on this one. Definitely something to present in terms of what they were going for but yet another passable joint (no pun intended).

4. Not Tonight- The self-titled debut finally offers its first standout track with this upbeat display of raw energy. Each MC takes his turn to give you a reason as to why he can place hip-hop on his back and bring it back to the days when “niggas was rockin’ the mic.” Slaughterhouse doesn’t disappoint on this one.

5. The One (ft. The New Royales)- The lead single of the album provides one of the catchiest hooks I’ve heard in a while. The MC’s don’t fade from the mind easily either with lines like, “I’m the one who always cause an affair/So every time your bitch burps, you smell my balls in the air/Yeah…” Check out the video to get a glimpse of the rock star mentality they were aiming for.

7. Cuckoo- Apparently Slaughterhouse’s rhymes are so crazy, “they don’t need a hook for this one.” While the lines do come off as entertaining, the track as a whole comes off as a standout mixtape joint and the instrumental only forces you to give praise to the MC’s for staying on beat to something so sloppy.

9. Onslaught 2 (ft. Fatman Scoop)- Although the beat and rhymes provide a great addition to the tracklist, one can’t help but wonder where the hook is at or why Fatman Scoop is attempting to make an appearance by merely ad-libbbing behind every other line that is dropped. Fortunately, the energy that makes its way throughout the entire selection makes up for any mistakes that are made.

11. Salute (ft. Pharoahe Moonch)- Slaughterhouse attempts to give you reasons as to why you should salute them as lyricists and as street credible individuals. Unfortunately you would only do so half-heartedly as the beat is too soulful and the hook too dry to make this worth playing back. While the rhymes are decent as always (they are going for the lyrical approach), the lack of presence makes it hard for listeners to distinguish the artists at times even as the quartet lacks chemistry.

12. Pray (It’s A Shame)- The album takes an unexpectedly vulnerable turn as the MC’s share tales of growing up and living with hardships. While the rhymes come off as lighter (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in the sense of balance), the track gives a thematic touch to an album that has come off as one without cohesion.

13. Cut You Loose- Possibly the best track on the album, Slaughterhouse goes hard lyrically and takes a thematic approach to discussing the current state of Hip-Hop music. Talking about rap in a metaphorical light, Hip-Hop is seen as a girl the MC’s just have to “cut loose.” The instrumental provides a nice touch to the energy and each artist gives a good portrayal of his love for rap music. And if anyone had any doubts about the Joe Budden/Method Man beef, no need to worry as Joey tells Method Man he can “have that bitch” (i.e. the current state of Hip-Hop) after describing it as a chick who’s been tricking… ouch.

14. Raindrops (ft. Novel)- Slaughterhouse sheds an even more vulnerable light on their experiences as they give share more stories about the difficulties of growing up in their lives. While this track is easy to separate from “Pray (It’s A Shame), it unfortunately doesn’t add that much of a new element to what is being discussed with the exception of the hook and instrumental.

15. Killas- Not a great way to end an album that came in with so much potential. The quartet describes its “killa” mentality but don’t seem too convincing on a beat that isn’t given enough justice. And while they are trying to bring rap back to its heyday, someone forgot to give them the memo on not throwing the most hood-sounding chick you can find on the hook anymore (if what was the chorus can be called a chorus).

Overall Rating: 2.5/5

If Slaughterhouse or anyone thinks they can bring rap to what it used to be just by dropping verses left and right, they're dead wrong. I don't know if people forgot but a lot artists were good lyricists and sold millions not too long ago because they were marketable. Without a second single (which I don't expect from this album), something that is profitable, and lyricism to back up the commerical success, you can expect to hear what you hearing on the radio and seeing what you see on TV for a long time... or until people get tired of it.