Kno of CunninLynguists is a rare breed. While many hip hop producers are busy trying to outshine the rappers they work with and become stars in their own right, he’s been doing the opposite. Initially one of the main voices of the first two C.L. releases, he retreated into the background as the group’s fame grew, content to craft ever evolving soundscapes while letting his compatriots shine lyrically. These days, hearing more than two Kno verses per album is a rarity.
There have been rumors of C.L. solo projects for years (usually one from Deacon), but nothing ever materialized. Now, in an effort to satisfy hardcore fans and get some things off of his chest, Kno gives us Death Is Silent: a melancholy soundscape that fairly screams “I need prozac!” while being sonically on par with any previous release by the Georgia beatsmith.
From the plaintive wails of the vocal sample in “La Petit Mort” to the somber organs and tinkling pianos of “Not At the End” the sound is vintage Kno. Crisp drums, vibrant bass, and a dazzling sample selection woven together by a deft choice of vocal interludes. Simply put, when it comes to the production he doesn’t miss a step.
It’s only in the vocal aspect of the album that we see the cracks in Kno’s armor. The man is as much a genius with the pen as he is with a beat machine, but when put side by side with the likes of Deacon the Villian, Thee Tom Hardy, or Tonedeff it’s easy to see where he’s lacking. There’s nothing wrong with Kno’s delivery per se. Unlike some of his melanin deficient brethren, he knows how to spit (check the wordplay on “Graveyard”). He’s just not as vocally engaging as his guests.
That being said, the man has put together a damn good album. The beats are flawless, the overall concept is well executed, and the lyrics are top notch. Some folks may be put off by the maudlin vibe that pervades each track, but for the fans that have been begging for more work from the “Emo Primo,” Death Is Silent is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Beats: 4.5 / Lyrics: 4
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