Murs has released 13 albums in the last 11 years (not to mention a handful of EP’s and compilations) proving he is quite possibily the hardest working man in indie hip-hop (next to Madlib, at least). While many of his Living Legends brethren have nowhere close to the sizable catalog that he does, it’s more because Murs has chosen not to pigeonhole himself as just another member of the LL crew, but has branched outside party lines to collaborate with people like Slug, 9^th Wonder, El-P, each of whom run in different circles. On his latest LP, Murs For President, he has shown he’s not afraid to reach across the isle, putting beside the bi-partisan politics that divide underground and commercial hip-hop.

Whether Murs For President is your first, fifth, or thirteenth exposure to the man will depend on how you enjoy the LP. This is Murs first major label solo entry, so the pressure to create a record that will sell is high. That being said, Murs has a budget at his disposal, allowing him to tap some of his favorite creators and collaborators, so guests on the album range from 9^th Wonder to Snoop Dogg, resulting in a multitude of different styles and sounds.

The album opens with “I’m Innocent”, which sticks to tradition, re-teaming Murs and 9^th Wonder, as Murs breaks down his frustrations with the industry, defining his position on the key issues: “I’m anti-thug and anti-drugs / brought peace to the party and got anti-love”. This song is a perfect introduction to the honest, real dude that Murs is.

Murs is at his best when rhyming on subjects he feels passionately about, and it comes through in his lyrics. “Can It Be” packs a well-timed Michael Jackson sample, as Murs battles with his audience for acceptance, despite the industry politics that effect his art. “The Science” is also notable, over a knocking track from Scoop Deville, where Murs takes the podium to speak on how the government has their hands in the drug game, or how poverty led to the birth of hip-hop music.

The Nottz produced “Think You Know Me” might seem like post-2001 west coast braggadocio at surface value, but deeper introspection of the lyrics reveals more. In each verse, Murs speaks from the perspectives of various Los Angeles stereotypes, and how prejudices effect their lives. The album’s best track is “Road Is My Religion”, where Murs gives a first hand account of how life as a touring hip-hop artist isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Despite a handful of solid selections during it’s first half, Murs For President goes off in different tangents during it’s second half. Murs taps into his west coast roots more than ever on this release, starting with the sticky-icky funk of “Soo Comfotable”, followed by the piano driven “Time Is Now”, produced by Niggarachi, featuring Snoop Dogg and LeToya Williams. The aformentioned “Think You Know Me” is also in this set, as is the other Nottz beat “Me & This Jawn” that once again employs the Isley Brothers “For The Love Of You” sample for the umpteenth time.

Meanwhile, the last act of the album goes in entirely another direction, with a trio of relationship songs, suggesting Murs might have just come out of a bad breakup. 9^th chimes in again on “Love & Appreciate II”, where Murs breaks down his views on the word “Love”. Following this is the rock-fueled “A Part Of Me”, which unfortunately doesn’t fit with the rest of the tracks on the album. By the time “Break Up (The OJ Song)” hits, the subject matter of relationships has already been beaten to death by the two songs preceding it.

Ultimately, the issue of trying to “keep all of the glasses of water full”, as he puts it, is the main problem with Murs For President. Sure, the longtime fans of Murs will enjoy the first half of the album, and he seems to be in his element making the type of music that comes most naturally to him. But this won’t really strike a chord with the local G’s that keeps songs 8 through 11 on repeat, nor the groupie girls that stay within range of the last half of the album. Despite having a large dose of concentrated quality, Murs For President shows that you can’t please all of the people, all of the time. – DT Swinga