Daddy X – Family Ties Review
Posted by Selwyn DeSa on 02.07.2006
Revolutionary sounds of freedom with a stony vibe.
As the founder of Suburban Noize Records and a member of the Kottonmouth Kings, Daddy X is one of the most influential and important people in the history of the underground music scene. This is the follow-up to Organic Soul, which was an incredible record in itself and supposedly sets aside the stony vibes to bring forth revolutionary sounds of freedom. Will it live up to the standards Daddy X set and deliver the message?
Bump –
Track 1) All Seeing Eye: An awesome opener with a catchy chorus and definitely sets the tone for the album ahead.
Track 2) Mindbender: This is a tripped out sounding song, which works considering the title and all.
Track 3) Karma: This beat is insane and Daddy X laces it perfectly with his delivery and lyrics.
Track 4) Against All Odds: A nice laidback smoke a joint song.
Track 5) Changin': A little mellow mood music from Daddy X, he does this so well.
Track 8) Power Greed Lies & Money (feat. Judge D): I first heard this track on Joint Venture and I do not remember if I immediately liked it or not but after a few listens it has grown on me.
Track 9) Wake n Bake: This is more of an interlude than a track but the beat is stony and I definitely get and support the message.
Track 10) If I Could: Daddy X talks about how he would change the world if he could, anyone who listens to this will relate.
Track 12) Money Machine: Another insane beat that Daddy X rips apart talking about that green stuff we all love and for once, I am not talking about weed.
Track 13) Natures Way: I felt torn on this one but in the end, I could not suggest skipping it in good conscience.
Track 14) Freedom (feat. Corporate Avenger): This was not great or anything, but it was good to hear Corporate Avenger again so bump it.
Track 15) Take You Higher: This is some vintage KMK sounding shit right here and that is never a bad thing.
Track 16) Next Life: Another one of those laidback tracks that Daddy X is custom-built for as he comes off sounding like pure gold.
Track 17) Better Place: Daddy X asks questions about how we could make this world a "Better Place" and makes you realize how ignorant things in the world really are.
Track 18) You Are Everything: Another track I first heard on Joint Venture and I loved it then and still do now.
Track 21) Livin' Free: A perfect way to close out a nearly perfect album as this is classic Daddy X through and through.
Skip –
Track 6) The Bomb: I was getting into this one until the chorus, which I did not like at all, and ruined the whole song for me.
Track 7) Stoney Age: There just seemed to be too much going at once in this track and not in a good way.
Track 11) Money: This was decent but I found the beat agitating and you will not miss much by skipping it.
Track 19) New World Order: I listened to this and it does contain an important message but I want to hear some music so skip it.
Track 20) Last Days: This was another track where their just seemed to be too much going on at once to ever really get into it.
Family Ties has a more serious tone and message throughout, but this album also did not totally abandon the stony vibes as many of these tracks reminded me of Organic Soul. Daddy X does not waste a lot of time with skits or many guest appearances, which I like since I am so used to hearing him in a group setting. This was a definite showcase of his talents and a crowning achievement in my eyes.
The 411: This is easily one of the best albums of the year thus far; it was powerful on many levels and has something for everyone. The stony vibes are still there but so is an important message that Daddy X felt needed to be stated. There are also some out of this world beats and Daddy X never fails to come with the lyrics or delivery. Even the tracks I did not like were more nitpicking than not. A definite must buy for everyone, KMK fan or not.
