I got to know Abrasive Method (A.M. for short) by watching the video for their newest single, “Rescue”. It was a bad idea. If like me you think that rappers like Kanye West and Andre 3000 sometimes exaggerate about what a rapper should look like, then you’ll be shocked by A.M.. Not because of their flamboyance, but rather because you have rarely seen two guys look more like average Joes. Pardon my shallowness, but because of that I was doubtful that I would like their music. For the most part, I was pleasantly surprised by their latest album, “Living a Nightmare, Chasing the Dream”. I shouldn’t have let first impressions discourage me.

Still an introduction is important. Classic hip hop albums have usually been started by classic intros. From old school favourites like ATCQ’s “Excursions” to new school ones like T.I.’s “56 Bars”, great openings are frequently indicative of what’s to come. In that regard, “Living a Nightmare, Chasing the Dream” starts off on the wrong foot with the song “Rescue”. The song is comparable to E-40’s “Captain Save a Hoe”, except the narrators are the ones getting played. That a rap group would begin their album with a song about how they had girlfriends that took advantage of them is startling to me. Since it’s also the first single, it’s as if they really wanted to get that point across.

The production on “Living a Nightmare, Chasing the Dream” is generally very refreshing. The soulful beats are the highlight of the album. Charlie Beans, the producer of the group, sounds like he was very much inspired by Pete Rock, but he manages to take that style and make it into his own. Songs like “High”, “Pause For The Cause” and “Chasing the Dream” have beautiful dreamy vibes and are a pleasure to listen to. “Chasing the Dream” uses a sample last heard on White Town’s techno-pop hit “Your Woman”. A.M uses it in a completely different way, and the smooth sample chops bring back memories of DJ Premier classics like “Above the Clouds” and “Suspended In Time”.

Sadly for all the praise I give the production, I give the mix none. It’s not terrible, but it’s just not fitting. There are few songs on this hip hop LP that will make you bob your head. It’s as if the person who handled the mix wanted the music to sound like ambient techno.

The rant about introductions I started this review with highlights one of the main problems I see with rappers similar to A.M. Lack of charisma and self-pity don’t mix, like two dicks and no….you know the rest. A.M. are at their best lyrically when they are being reflective or talking trash. When they get melancholic, they sound like whiny loser lovers. There is nothing wrong with being an everyman on the mic, but you have to make it appealing if you expect fans to buy it. Songs like the aforementioned “Rescue” and “Love Somebody” are exactly the kind a group like A.M. needs to avoid.

At twelve original songs and a remix, “Living a Nightmare, Chasing the Dream” is a tight little package, with only one weak spot in the middle. There is definitely more good than bad on A.M.’s latest opus, their third. I personally hope there will be a fourth. All this group needs is better mixing and marketing. If there were significant upgrades in those two departments, A.M. could have a really interesting product on their hands.

Music Vibes: 7 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 7 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7 of 10

We’ve gotten the opportunity to open up for Chicago artists Kidz In The Hall, and New York artist 88 Keys.  Tix are $12, and are available at www.Ticketweb.com  This is a cool opportunity for us to open for some out-of-towners at a great venue.  The Pike Room is located inside the Crofoot Ballroom in Downtown Pontiac. Artists Izza Kizza and Donnis are also performing.  I’m not too familiar with their work but saw Izza Kizza has a song with Lil’ Wayne & Birdman.

88 Keys holds a special place in my heart because his production can be heard on two of my favorite hip hop albums of all time:

Mos Def  & Talib Kweli are BLACK STAR

Mos Def- Black On Both Sides

He’s made several classics and his new album is executive produced by Kanye West and his single “Viagra” also features him.

Kidz In The Hall are signed to Duck Down Records.  Home of Sean Price, Buckshot, Smith N Wessun, Boot Camp Click,  and several other underground legends.  Their album, The In Crowd featured artists Phonte Of Little Brother, Estelle, Guilty Simpson, Black Milk, & Bun B.

Here’s links to both artists bio’s:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidz_in_the_hall

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88_Keys

Thanks to everyone who has been helping and supporting us as it looks like we’re going to have a busy spring and summer!

Oh, and don’t worry…we’ve already started recording new material.  Holler.

The spot is in Westland, and is going to be an all day affair.  Opening at noon, there will be live bagpipes and Irish food, as well as green beer to guzzle down.  All this for $5…what a deal.  Also performing:  HUSH, STREET JUSTICE, & PONY BOY.

There will be plenty of details to come, but we wanted you to mark your calendars.  Peep the flyer and thanks for the love people.

THURSDAY, MARCH 4th @ CAMP TICONDEROGA

To be honest, I’m quite shocked at how open Camp Ti aka my workplace has been open to hip hop as of recent.  Ever since our show on Thanksgiving Eve, our dj, UNCLE PAULIE, has been spinning soul/jazz/hip hop every Saturday night.  There’s no cover and 1/2 off drafts.  To say the least, it’s a bargain.

Annually, CAMP TI does what they call Beach Bash.  Basically, it’s a summer party in the winter equipped with sand, hawaiian shirts, and ABRASIVE METHOD the Thursday and opening evening of the event.  Although the Beach Bash party goes from Thurs. March 4 UNTIL Sat. March 6, we are only performing Thursday night.

THE SHOW IS FREE and we’ll be performing around 10:30.  Uncle Paulie will be holding down the turntables for the evening also.  There will be 1/2 off drafts as well as some special beach drinks that will be available also.  CAMP TICONDEROGA is located at 5725 Rochester Road in Troy.

Thanks to everyone who has purchased the album!  We’re getting some great responses and are so proud of the project!  We also have tee shirts for $12.  Holler at us if you want one.  The shirt is black and looks like this:

Please pass along the word and spread the video we’re working real hard to make Living A Nightmare, Chasing The Dream a success!

THURSDAY, MARCH 4th CAMP TICONDEROGA

We have been welcomed back to rock Camp Ti the Thursday of Beach Bash!  Basically, there are plenty of drink specials and the atmosphere of “Summer in the Winter” at the bar!   Check us and Uncle Paulie out spinning the best in soul, jazz, & hip hop.  We’re going on around 10:45 PM.

Thanks to everybody who has downloaded the album on iTunes, our site, and various others.  We appreciate the support of everyone.

A couple things in the works right now, but we don’t want to disclose anything that isn’t 100%, so we’ll let you know as they happen.  Until then, by Living A Nightmare, Chasing The Dream on iTunes or abrasivemethod.com  Holler.

If you’re reluctant to purchase the album, (for some retarded reason) head over to bandcamp and stream the album live in its’ entirety.  Living A Nightmare, Chasing The Dream is available on iTunes and plenty other sites so pass the info along, and download the album!

WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT THE ABRASIVE METHOD ALBUM RELEASE PARTY…..GLAD I WAS THERE!!!

 Walking upstairs to the Berkley Front I was reminded of a scene from Animal House! And I got excited!! No matter how you color the artist, true hip hop shines through!!

The show began with a performance from the LYNX, A very popular group who blew up on college campuses all over mitten! They did the cut ‘Uh Oh’ and had the crowd rocking. Then SCRAPZ got up and did his thing to keep the energy up. And up it was!! With beers and drinks in hand, the crowd, still hype, braced themselves for A.M.

‘Rescue’ I think would have to be the standout song of the night.  The video for this single shows Beans and Franks (I know right! smh) dressed in suits in various alleys addressing issues of people wanting to be rescued, and explaining why they wont be the ones to do it. Gotta love a song like that!  This cut was off their new album ‘LIVING A NIGHTMARE, CHASING A DREAM’.

The song ‘LOVE SOMEBODY’ hit a sensitive note not many artists are willing to show. Reminding me of LL’s breakout ‘I NEED LOVE’.  A.M. discusses the reasons why people are out there looking for love and disappointed at whats really going on. Nice job guys.

‘CHASING A DREAM’ which in a sense would be considered their title cut off the album, best showcases their ability to be concise in their rhymes and yet tease you think about your own ambitions in life.  They simply want to enjoy life, chase their dream and be themselves. Im with that fellas!

They aint talking about being gangsters or hustlers, their music addresses their real life issues and problems with a humorous twist from a more easy going perspective. Real life scenarios with real life responses. I cant remember when hip hop was so simple yet so enjoyable as it was listening to Abrasive Method.

Their stage presence was definitely a crowd pleaser. These are guys you would want to hang out with just because you know something is going to happen that you would be talking about for years.

So If you missed Abrasive Methods release party, ok, your fault, but don’t combine injury to insult by not checking out their new album!

http://www.abrasivemethod.com/

Thanks for the kind words we appreciate everything!

Thanks to Uncle Paulie for DJing all night.  S.White for his great comeback performance. Skrapz for doing what he does best.  The Berkley Front- bartenders Evan and Tim not to mention Christian for always taking care of us.  These people were integral in helping this night get off the ground.

There will be some video as well as pictures of the show to check out soon.

MONTHLY MIXER

Detroitrap.com’s Uncle P hosts a mixer every month at the Bullfrog, and has asked us to perform a little somethin’ something at the upcoming event which is Thurs. February 11.  It’s a great place for aspiring artists/producers/dj’s/etc. to get together and network.  There is also a beat battle, and a performance by A.M.  The Bullfrog is located on 5 Mile & Telegraph Rd. in Redford.

You can still order the album on the homepage, but the music is also available for purchase on iTunes, Rhapsody, EMusic, Napster, etc.  We’ve got a couple things lined up, and will keep everyone updated as things come.

Thanks again for supporting us and taking the time out to stop by our site.  Get at us.