Side projects are expected to be sloppy, underdeveloped, and sub-par... but c'mon.
Side projects suffer even more when friends are involved. Murs and Slug, two rap buddies who have been inseparable over the past couple years, not only enjoy one another's company, but one another's music. Now, it's not always the case, but in some cases, friendship gets in the way of good music. Too much fun and games is carried over from the bar into the studio. Sometimes a good time is mistaken for an easy opportunity to make good music. With collaborative projects, someone needs to pick up the slack. While recording Felt 2: A Tribute to Lisa Bonet (yes, Cosby Show, High Fidelity, and whatever the hell else she's been in), it may have gone unspoken as to which rapper would be the one to pick up the slack. Judging from the songs, the slack was left on the studio floor, tangled with cables and headphone cords.
The audience response to the original Felt EP was mixed, but it sure seemed like there were more nays than yays shouted from the mosh pit. It makes you wonder why Murs and Slug are claiming they did another Felt album for the fans. Did we really want this again?
Production on Lisa Bonet is handled by Ant. It proves to be a slight improvement from the synth-happy production of Grouch on the previous effort. Slug and Murs are their typical selves; self-deprecating pimping/chauvinistic ways with women, fool-acting with booze and bar-hopping, and your obligatory moment of reflection, clarity, and sentimentalism. Somewhere along the way of Slug and Murs' collaborative work, their cadences merged into one. Long-time listeners will even find their inflections and flows similar, indistinguishable even. Strange stuff. The bright moments are few and far between on this second Felt project ("Marvin Gaye," "I Shot A Warhol") -- it's another letdown.
Good luck getting Lisa Bonet's attention, fellas.
1. Reintroduction
2. Employees of the Year
3. Your Mans and Them
4. Lisa (Never Easty On My Nextel)
5. Morris Day
6. Dirty Girl
7. Early Mornin' Tony
8. Breaker Down Like A Shotgun
9. Marvin Gaye
10. Life Vegas
11. Bonet (Cement Angels)
12. Woman Tonight
13. Gangster Ass Anthony
14. The Biggest Lie
15. I Shot A Warhol 1. Reintroduction
2. Employees of the Year
3. Your Mans and Them
4. Lisa (Never Easty On My Nextel)
5. Morris Day
6. Dirty Girl
7. Early Mornin' Tony
8. Breaker Down Like A Shotgun
9. Marvin Gaye
10. Life Vegas
11. Bonet (Cement Angels)
12. Woman Tonight
13. Gangster Ass Anthony
14. The Biggest Lie
15. I Shot A Warhol