On his Rhymesayers debut, rapper
Grieves sounds a bit too much like his labelmates
Atmosphere to cause concern among those who label this rap “emo” instead of the preferred “independent.” The cool, opening memoir called “Light Speed” will feel familiar to the
Atmosphere faithful with nostalgia for “Pogs and punk rock” and that defiant “if you need me, I’ll be in my hoody” attitude. This obvious influence is found throughout, always threatening to turn
Together/Apart into a niche album, but then, unique numbers like the crypt-walking “On the Rocks” come along and
Grieves becomes an inspired artist with his hands on the wheel, steering indie-hop down new avenues. Clever how a quote from
Bobby Hebb’s effervescent “Sunny” shows up in the tortured (“I’ve been writin’ on the mirror with a razorblade/And chase away the devil in my brain that played me like a spade”) “Sunny Side of Hell,” and you can thank producer
Budo for all the sample-free backing tracks, which also recall those
Atmosphere guys, but a freer version willing to experiment with space rock (“Boogie Man”) and infectious G-funk (“No Matter What”). An easy recommendation for its obvious audience, but
Together/Apart is a bit more than that as well, giving the genre of indie hip-hop some mass appeal whenever it decides to wild out.