Syntax :: Dialog'a'Rhythmic
:: Cocoon Movements
as reviewed by Steve 'Flash' Juon
![[Dialog'a'Rhythmic]](../coverart/syntax-Dialog.jpg)
The connections were tenuous at best, but after looking at
Syntax' "Dialog'a'Rhythmic" for a while I realized he was friends
with New York rapper L.I.F.E. Long, and that at least gave me a starting point
to think about his music. Syntax himself is a Brooklynite who
hails from Cocoon Movements, a clique of progressive underground
emcees, and Syntax himself fits that sound to a tee. The first
single off "Dialog'a'Rhythmic" is "Forest Hill," and if you
didn't know he was a New Yorker you'd think this was a West
coast/California rap style and song. He sums up his style best
with the line "I refuse to live for the Facebook moments."
Not surprisingly Syntax' special guest are as ruggedly independent
and underground as he is, right down to Emcee Slick on "Self Help
(Here We Go)," who you may know better from Pseudo Slang (if you know him at all). He's not regionally
biased though as guest Dox on "Walk Again" is (if I'm not mistaken)
from Minneapolis, while Man Danno on "Insomnia Opera" is from Seattle. The intro
immediately reminds me of a Jedi Mind Tricks track, and Danno's gravelly delivery
backs up that impression.
Man Danno is also a producer of record for 4 tracks throughout,
although oddly enough not the one he's featured on - that one was
done by Third Eye Bling. He's got a good touch though. The
rattling and reverberating drums of "Soul Lonely" pair well with
Syntax' melodic flow, and the harrowed pianos and horns of
"Money on the Beach" suit Syntax' desperate quest to succeed at
all costs. He's also well served by Battery Jackson on "Ambition
Blindsided" and "Hello Tomorrow." Syntax himself steps behind the
boards to produce "Time Breaks Everything" with the aforementioned
fellow New York emcee L.I.F.E. Long.
I'm a bit torn on Syntax. There's nothing overly unpleasant about
the 50 minutes of "Dialog'a'Rhythmic," no reason I can't regard it
as a thoughtfully executed and produced album. There are even
thought provoking songs like "This Is Me," which take a deep look
at the daily grind that turns so many cubicle workers into
"caffeine fiends" who are "glued to a desk" all day long in "suit
and tie attire." I remember my brief and unpleasant experiences
with that rat race, and I don't miss it, so anybody listening will
no doubt feel where Syntax is coming from. There's just something
about Syntax that doesn't quite click for me through no fault
of his own. He's in that uncomfortable middle of being skilled
enough to not be bad, but being average enough to not blow me away.
I can't say that I'd drive around listening to "Dialog'a'Rhythmic"
on reply, nor that I'd be able to quote his rap lyrics by heart
to friends. No - Syntax is "perfectly acceptable." I may be
damning him with faint praise, but he definitely doesn't suck.
Music Vibes: 6.5 of 10
Lyric Vibes: 6 of 10
TOTAL Vibes: 6.5 of 10
Originally posted: January 7th, 2014
source: www.RapReviews.com