Album #36 : Illy - The Chase

Illy

The Chase (2010)

I do not like this Oz hip hop

It makes my poor old ears go 'pop'

I do not like the Hilltop Hoods

(Though, yes, some tunes do have the goods)

I do not like that Three-Six-Oh

Or Bliss and his good mate Eso

I'm not a fan of Seth Sentry

(Dear Science, though, it made me wee)

And as for this fellow called Illy,

I find his product is quite silly

But as this day falls on the fifth

I must abandon all this pith

And spend this day, to my disgrace

Reviewing his album, The Chase.

The Album

Let's start with the positives.

The album's team of producers have done an excellent job. Musically, the album covers a few different genres; from some soulful tunes to piano/string ballads, and even an indie-rock influenced tune or two. Additionally, knowing that Illy is the star of the show, the production allows for the music to play an important part without overshadowing Illy's rhymes. Songs with thumping bass manage to give off that club drum 'n' bass vibe without drowning out the verses. The dominant sound of the album is tasteful horns and piano melodies, and it gives The Chase a bit of an old-school vibe with modern production values and flavours.

Illy himself is a competent rapper, who writes some very good lyrics. Like most hip hop artists, he's not afraid to self-promote and attack his critics, while his lyrics are sprinkled with cultural references (the number of Triple J references, for example, made me wonder whether or not he was being paid by Richard Kingsmill for every mention of "the Js".) There are one or two shining moments lyrically, however, where Illy turns the blowtorch on modern society with impressive effect.

Highlights of the album? Numbers Game is one of those blowtorch on modern society moments. A killer lyric about inequality, climate change, the global financial crisis and its ability to ruin the poor while leaving many of the rich relatively untouched is fantastically supported by an indie rock riff. No thumping bass or drums on this track, it's all about that simple riff and Illy's vocal venom. On The Bus is one of those songs that Australian hip hop does so well - reflections on teenage life in Australia. However, halfway through, it veers into reflective territory as Illy ponders how despite our best efforts, we cannot escape life's changes, and growing up gets us all. It's set to a classy Motown-style horn section.

Guess I Could has more of that 60s soul/R&B horn sound and a really catchy hook. It's a self-promotion song where Illy brags about not needing guest verses (to his credit, there are none on the album; all guest appearances are singing only). It Can Wait is a song that everyone who listens to the Js will have heard; while I can't stand it because it's been PLAYED TO DEATH, you can't deny that it's catchy as hell. Owl Eyes's work on the verse is sweet and lilting, the music takes a back seat with simple drums and synths, and the lyrics are a tribute to living life for the now. And Without A Doubt uses a James Brown sample to great effect, while Illy drops pop culture references galore (the one about Rick James and shoes on the couch was a personal favourite).

It's just unfortunate that this album is a few songs too long - it probably could have done without Feel Something (boring 16 bit gaming soundtrack where Illy says he's trying to make us feel something - he failed), Cigarettes (pointless) and I Know (adds nothing of value). 

The Verdict

The Chase is okay. Like all good hip hop, it is at its best when it is used as a vehicle for social commentary - either positive or negative. One thing I took out of my Wu-Tang Clan and Kanye reviews was that part of the strength of those albums is that they deal with social issues honestly, and bluntly. 

I don't claim to be a hip hop expert (far from it) but I've read enough articles about the genre to know that it is perfectly suited to talking about life as it is for those who have no other way to express themselves. Consequently, The Chase is really good when Illy is holding court, representing a group that can often lack a voice in the world. When the songs are no longer about that, there's no fire, no oomph.....nothing.

Still, it isn't a terrible album, and there are certainly tracks worth checking out....but in my opinion, there's not a whole album's worth of material here.

Your work is solid, Mr Illy

I'm sorry that I called it silly

But next time I want some hip hop

I think I'll go read Hop on Pop!

My rating: ** and a half

Standout Tracks

On The Bus

Numbers Game

Guess I Could

Tomorrow, a very VERY recent album release - it came out in January. It's the latest album from a legendary Scottish post-rock collective.