Album Details

• Artist: The Higher Concept
• Album: Everybody
• Label: The Projectivity Movement
• Year of Release: 2012
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: redraiderstw on 2012-07-27

The Higher Concept (THC) is a trio from Staten Island, New York or as they put it "The House Of Dreams"; referring to the history surrouding the small island in the "Big Apple" where millions of emmigrants have passed through that building "dreaming" of a new start and a new life.  What better way to sum up how THC is changing music and putting new "life" into it with their talent and vision:  "Changing lives one rhyme at a time"

On their first full lengthed album, Everybody, THC self-produced it DIY since day one and is infused with 14 motivating tracks.  Most people see hip-hop on a genre label for an album an sometimes get the stereotype (pun intended) that it's filled with hate and constant uses of explcit language with heavy drug influence, but that's everything that THC is not.  Their goal was to create a "powerful hip-hop rock hybrid that appeals to kids, their grandparents and everyone in between."  You will also notice on the album's artwork the use of Sgt. Pepper motif from the 1967 Beatles album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and is surrounded by numerous pop icons from all generations including the most recent.

THC uses everything from guitars, bass, pianos, gospel choruses, brass instruments, rythm machines, DJs, and beat mixing on almost every track; it really is refreshing and definitely is a catchy beat.  They have been described as if A Trible Called Quest & Beastie Boys had a child, this is what the ending result would be. A couple of songs that stick out and are worth listening to are "Everybody", "Everything", "American Way", and most importantly "This Is For" as its lyrics really speak to everybody in the sense of the human race.

I feel confident to give this album 4.5 stars and commend THC for keeping the big record companies out of this collaboration.  The ability to produce your own music, unaltered and with the true spirit behind it is what it is all about; true expression & emotions of the artists and everyone involved.

User Reviews and Comments