Album Details

• Artist: Atmosphere
• Album: The Family Sign
• Label: Rhymesayers
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2011-05-12

It’s been a while since the group Atmosphere let a year go without releasing something.  And even though Ant’s beats has never suffered and even a fresh perspective of original instrumentation has been added, Slug’s lyricism seems to be falling off a bit.

 The lead three tracks, “My Key”, “The Last To Say” and “Became” have that soulful (“Something So”) high intent of vocal bars, so it’s not that he’s missing a passion or a story, but there seems to be a lacking requirement of quality lyricism. “I Don’t Need Brighter Days” is a gritty example of how Daley has slowed down his lyrical momentum coupled with a respectable rock backbone. While this track has a strong vibe, others don't.

For instance, “Became” which has a terrific beat and even a great vocal rhythm, but a lyrical conten with more of a forced and uncomfortable scheme. The following track, “Just For Show” is full of energy and quickly wound lyrics is approached with a signature and repetitive looping Sluggo chorus, EG "Nothing But Sunshine".

No regrets for Daley as always, tracks like “Bad Bad Daddy” and “Your Name Here”, a taunting and shameless abortion of what he’ll never pretend to be.  “Millennium Dodo” has that creepy signature Ant beat, and even Slug seems to have a bit more rhythm.

Without a doubt, since the live band instrumentation aspect has been implemented, the writing, performance and recording has become tastier.  Perhaps it’s a bonus factor of the Rhymesayers sub-division, Women Records. 

Am I fully satisfied with the effort?  No, but an average Atmosphere release is better than most average artist top-notch releases. Comparatively speaking, in consideration of the whole catalogue of Atmosphere, the lyrical content gets 2.5 out of 5.  The beats and energy – low profile as it may be- gets a perfect score.  

User Reviews and Comments

on 2011-12-16 hstisgod Said:

yet another big name album in 2011 that didn't come meet the luster of expecatations...
Rating: 7/10