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These days, most underground artists do not tour nationwide, let alone, worldwide. With the changing musical landscape, fickle fan bases, and the rising costs of touring, most East Coast clubs seldom see their brethren from the West roll through their towns. Zion I and the members of the Living Legends defy modern touring conventions. Both groups continue to put out music below the mainstream’s radar that allows them to constantly tour. Therapy At 3 by Eligh & Amp Live is another album that may lead members of each of these crews to gas up the vans and hit the road.

Eligh, best known as the Living Legend member with a rapid-fire flow and a member of the popular duo he forms with Legend emcee Grouch (G & E), pairs up with producer extraordinaire Amp Live of Zion I fame. This album kind of came out of nowhere with little build, but it is definitely worth a listen for people who are unfamiliar with both artists, and will not disappoint longtime fans. The team-up seemed inevitable since Grouch has appeared on Zion I’s albums since 2000 and they have released two albums together as a unit. Eligh was definitely waiting in the cut to spit over some Amp Live beats.

“Beautiful Addiction” (feat. Grieves & Blake Hazard) definitely is the most accessible song on this album with straightforward verses, a poppy beat, and female-sung chorus. For as much as songs like this could easily miss the mark, this one hits it right on. “Ego Killer” (feat. Inspired Flight) also uses the female-sung hook to open up accessibility.
Another standout track, “Metronome” sounds like a vintage Zion I beat, one that would have fit perfectly on Mind Over Matter. The beat switches up, but the metronome continues throughout. This displays the type of production a fan of Amp Live has come to expect over the years of Zion I-related releases.

“Tattoo Song” rides a bouncy beat, and deals with Eligh’s reason for all of his tattoos, which is based on his idea to “Transfer my inner pain to my outer frame.” An official video for this song is available online and a viewing is definitely recommended.

The thing that stands out most about this album is its cohesiveness. Between the intro and outro, each song features lush musical backdrops, beats that often switch on a dime and Eligh’s top-notch emceeing. Most of the songs bleed into outerludes that go all over the place and prepare the listener for a completely different listening experience to come on the next cut.

While not every song on this album is easily accessible to a fan of modern pop rappers, due to some of the abstract qualities of the lyricism and beats, there are plenty of gems to checkout. After you have taken the album in, be prepared to have your neck snap next time these members of The Living Legends and Zion I hit your town.

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1 Responses to "Eligh + Amp Live – "Therapy At 3" – @@@1/2 (Review)"
  • jack in the box says:

    “This album kind of came out of nowhere with little build, but it is definitely worth a listen for people who are unfamiliar with both artists, and will not disappoint longtime fans. The team-up seemed inevitable”

    Classic example of contradiction.

  • Comments (1)

    jack in the box

    December 22nd, 2011 at 5:05 am