Elemental and Mr Simmonds Dressed Up To Fall Down Album Review
Earlier this year, a couple of living legends (and long time favorites) came back from the depths of oblivion to release a looooong awaited single. Attached to those leg ends are two men of serious hip hop calibre. Elemental and Mr. Simmonds have been a part of some of the most intelligent and witty hip hip to ever grace the spider's world wide web. In various projects and personas they have created some incredible hip hop, but they always appear to grab my attention most, when working together in all their collaborative glory.
A few weeks on, and what has now become their second full length album has hit the shores. Physical copy of the album is being held at ransom by the postie, as my passport doesn't appear to have the name 'Invokal' upon it? (Pah - Trip to the depol on the horizon perhaps?) Never-the-less, here at UndergroundHH HQ, we're never one to let red tape get in our way, so i'm off to Elemental.com to get my lug holes filled. Their debut escapade 'Gentlemen Of Leisure' has been solidly recurring in my headphones over the years since it's release, and i'm glad to report that they have lost none of their wonderful wit and charm, and what they have found in years they have enfused into their musical concepts, swings and beats. The single impressed us greatly, and the album is no exception. As I type it kicks off with one of Simmond's classic 'groove-hop' beats, something that in certain circles he has become synonymous for. Simmonds, like the best producers and DJs, manages to dig through an eternity of samples and loops and snag just the right ones to gel with the artists he works with. Undeniably catchy and unmistakably lush, his beats offer the MCs a space to be themselves.
Elemental thrives over the styles chosen here, giving him time and space to play lyrically. They compliment his wordplay and work easily with enough vibe to carry his banter and repartee to the consumer's ears. In a genre that at times can appear full of adolescent anger and misguided attitude, the duo's approach is refreshing and goes hand in hand with this early summer we've been blessed with. They are just as at home colouring your day with sunshine vibes, as they are giving you a work of art to focus on and fall into in those very rare moments we actually get to do so.
For a bargainous price of 7 squids, you get 10 banging tracks. All heart felt, all beautifully produced and with strictly no filler. With feature duties taken on and more than conquered by King Porter Stomp's very own master of ceremonies Jonezy, the album consistently keeps pace and conversation. The lyrics throughout this album are clever and relevant with just the right amount of jest and rebellion. Elemental is one of those rare MCs that seem to chat to you over a hip hop brew, like he's an old and trusted friend telling a story you'd understand. Dressed Up To Fall Down is at times comedic poke at the life of a true MC. The hollywood carpets are beer soaked bar mats, and its the cloudy cider that's on ice, not the champers.
As it begins to come to a close i'm already thinking of hitting the repeat button. With honour and dedication, the pair have sculpted another brilliant hip hop album, and one that newer MCs could be looking to when they want to know how to do it right. It flows and ebbs naturally, doesn't faulter, and speaks to the listener as one of its own. Whether you're one of those fans desperately seeking that high that was left over from the golden years, or just one of those bored of the aggy rap flooding the scene, this is more than worth your time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it won't be such a long time until their next venture.
Invokal - Verbalist Journalist
Get the album, and check out other projects at Elemental.com
*Please note hip hop goods will not under any circumstance be exchanged for fish products.
