The Villain is scarily underwhelming
Trick Trick doesn't revive Detroit's reputation with sophomore album.
Nov. 17, 2008
Ever since Eminem's retirement, Detroit has been pushed to the corner when it comes to rap and hip-hop. But Detroit native Trick Trick has put out The Villain with the hopes of giving Detroit some badly needed attitude since Shady left the game.
While Trick definitely does his part to give the city some swagger, it seems that he lost any message he was trying to create while calling out anything and everyone. To say it plainly, The Villain is an angry record aimed at no apparent target, and it misses nothing.
With his second album, it seems as though Trick Trick is trying to show he is as bad as the baddest. The problem with the album is that Trick's energy and message do not combine to make the sophomore album the one that will revive his hometown.
The best song of the album (and that doesn't say a whole lot) is definitely "Who Want It." The song features and is produced by Trick's friend Eminem, and both rappers take turns throughout its length threatening clubgoers who might cross their paths. The song is pre-game material over a traditional Shady beat that is heavy on the bass.
One of the best parts of an otherwise generic-sounding song is Eminem's inclusion of the West Coast synth that made Dr. Dre famous in the early '90s. Trick and Em don't really aim for the sky lyrically, but the Eminem verse is one of the first since his talks of retirement after Encore.
Another of the underwhelming hits is "All Around The World" featuring another Detroit star, Royce Da 5'9". The song features some of Trick's best lyrics (possibly trying to match lyricist Royce) that show he is capable of so much more (Royce's aren't half bad either). The problem with the song lies in a chorus that just doesn't sound right on top of the mellow bass guitar cut.
One song that actually challenges the replay value of "Who Want It" is "2getha 4 Eva!!" The song is a tribute to the timeless rap group Run DMC, featuring Kid Rock, the late rapper Proof and Esham. To show their love for the group, all artists involved provide great verses over a fantastic beat, something that would have fit in a DMC record in the late '80s. The boom-bat production mixed with guitar riffs will bring listeners back to the good old days.
On "Let It Fly," Trick calls in for some more help from legend rapper Ice Cube and the leader of the crunk movement, Lil' Jon. The Lil' Jon production has the bells, whistles and bass that all crunk songs must, but it just doesn't create the same energy that Jon has previously masterminded with hits like "Yeah" and "Snap Yo Fingers." This song is great foreshadowing of the rest of the album, the efforts from all parties involved just not cutting it.
All of the performers are capable of much more, but on this track and throughout the album, the effort seems underwhelming.
More Nov. 17, 2008 Arts Stories
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- The Villain is scarily underwhelming — Trick Trick doesn't revive Detroit's reputation with sophomore album.
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