So this is what happens when you try to big up the Western Massachusetts hip hop scene to the world. Like any artist, Springfield trio Maspyke’s music is well-informed and shaped by their cultural surroundings. With beats that are clearly influenced by Gangstarr’s gritty instrumentation (with Guru being Boston’s main legitimate claim to hip hop fame) and lyrics that are distinctly old school in their simplistic delivery and trite subject matter, Maspyke is not trying to break the upper East Coast mold, but rather fit neatly within it. As is the case with most independent hip hop today, Static is a break from the bling and BET bulls**t but while it is a solid album, it’s not an incredible burst of originality that pushes Maspyke apart from the underground pack.

 Having started their hip hop career in 1993, Maspyke seems to be stuck there with grainy samples and rhymes that portray life in the hood, pretty around-the-way girls and of course, their lyrical prowess. On “No Big Deal”, Maspyke sound like sour old heads lamenting over the state of the younguns wilin’ out and “running around like it’s no big deal.” Yet, Maspyke rehashes the requisite hip hop track about their “finesse” with women on Step, checking out females in the club as MC “H-Bomb” charmingly notes, “the bubble on your back is swollen, girl/so let the rhythm put it in motion, girl.” Right.

 Easily the main problem with this album is the dual monotony of uninventive beats and irritating rhyme delivery. The songs tend to run together with only an occasional relief from the stiff beats and too similar rhythms on each track. “Nevaleave” and “The Writer” are damn near identical. Plus, H-Bomb and rhyme partner Tableek tend to lack an identity and seem overwhelmed by early 90s hip hop convention. Both of their rhymes styles are choppy and either blend into the background or become repetitively annoying. They also seem to be trying to bring back the “posse” cut by sometimes rhyming in unison which is completely ineffective and corny.

 Ironically, this adherence to old school sensibilities which is often album’s main liability may be an asset to some. “Lightly Anxious” is reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest’s melodic beats and the curious voice sample on “Recipe” is on some mid-90s RZA ish. Maspyke is at best an homage to some of hip hop’s most timeless artists invoking thoughts of Brand Nubian, Pharcyde, Tribe, Digable Planets and even Jay Dee. But these artists were great because of the way they changed the game and brought a new voice, style, flava etc. Static is an okay listen, mainly because of the references to other great artists you’ll glean from the album. But the album still makes us wonder, who is Maspyke, where is Springfield, and if they can’t do it better than the greats, then who cares?