Review By: Marissa J. Lonardo AKA MJ

Artist: Polyrhythm Addicts
Genre: Hip-Hop
Album Title: Break Glass

Album Assessment: When I first popped the Polyrhythm Addicts album “Break Glass” into my CD player I really didn’t know what to expect. The cover already peeked my interest because the group consists of three men DJ Spinna, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Mr. Complex and one woman Tiye Phoenix, which has been a rare group dynamic in Hip-Hop today. But as soon as track one started playing the 31 second interlude with a faint Poly Poly grumbling through my speakers, I immediately was hyped and that anticipation was not to disappoint. The 17-track album really moves quickly with well thought out rhymes, great beats, and relevant guest appearances, which include Pharaohe Monch, Large Professor, Phonte of Little Brother and Planet Asia.

Although I hate to use the same clichés when it comes to Hip-Hop like the kind that is offered here, I have to say that this album is real Hip-Hop straight up. The lyrical ability of these MC’s is unbelievable and the incorporating of a DJ as a key component really gives you the true elements of Hip-Hop. The combination of every member in the group and how well they all work together really sets the Polyrhythm Addicts in a different class apart from the crap that gets played on most radio stations today.

Standout songs include ”Smash,” “Four Corners,” and “Get Ghost” just to name a few, prove that these MC’s can be versatile without sacrificing style and flow. While every song on the album does its job to make the listener think while not being overbearing or insulting, overall this CD defies Nas’s belief that Hip-Hop is dead. Because it is alive and well on this album for sure, with not one bad or even mediocre track. But if you like the no thought involved raps that are a constant force is Hip-Hop today then I’m sorry this CD is not for you. However if you enjoy rewinding songs to fully understand the complexity of an MC rhymes or listening to true scenarios of life, or DJ elements perfectly timed over hot intricate beat patterns, scratching in the perfect spots, and raw emotion then you need this CD in your life. Pure Hip-Hop never sounded so good.