Review:

on 2008-06-04 somestyle Said:

Akrobatik, one of the more notable rappers to come out of Boston, has released his third full-length album. Akrobatik is known for his propensity for blending socially conscious lyrics with intense battle rhymes. Absolute Value finds him subscribing to this same formula once again. If anything, he places more emphasis on the battle aspect of his music than he did throughout previous albums. On the majority of the tracks, Akrobatik praises his skills and the excellence of his rapping career. Although Akrobatik exhibits lyrical intelligence and talent, he does not display much originality. The rhymes he dedicates to glorifying himself, ironically enough, are the least impressive. Akrobatik does, however, show more creativity when he looks past himself and begins to discusses social issues. On Kindred, for example, Akrobatik conjures emotional narratives that examine racial inequalities in our society, both past and present.

The beats, much like Akrobatiks rhymes, are strong but not remarkably original. Akrobatiks intense and commanding vocal style meshes well with the heavy beats. For this reason, the strongest songs, such as Step It Up and Absolute Value, prove to be the tracks featuring simple yet powerful beats. Despite their vigor, the beats overall are no more creative than Akrobatiks rapping. This isnt to say that Absolute Value is a weak album. It is a well-rounded hip hop album that proves to be superior to the majority of hip hop albums in its league, but in terms of individuality and innovation, it just isnt stellar.

Rating: 6/10