So, I was approached a few weeks ago by Mr. Rojas aka Creed Chameleon to do an honest review of his new CD: SIQ of Lazy.

At first, I was quite honored, knowing that other people think this silly blog of mine was actually worth reading, and that atypicalLIVING has made major headway in the Hawaii landscape.

Secondly, I thought that I shouldn’t half-ass this and really give the CD the once, twice, thrice over before typing word one in this review.

Thirdly, I went into it thinking that this would be similar to his previous CD, Love Potion Cyanide.

Well, two out of three ain’t bad.

First the bad, only because there isn’t much bad to be found on this one.  I completely dug the theme of the Cd, where Creed would randomly check his voicemail to see what everyone else is doing, trying to get in contact with him while he’s out on the grind.  And, for the most part, the voicemail’s work.  There’s just some that kinda go on a bit too long and actually hinder the dopeness of the song beneath it.  I’m claiming “Brand New Bag” and “Asian Blade” as my two examples.  I would have gladly given up the voicemail theme for another go round of verses from Parlous, Meiso, or Creed on “Asian Blade.”  And the “Brand New Bag” beat is so hot, I just want the instrumental from Ion Mike.  Also, the cameo from Mike’s mom is pretty funny too.

Also, “Mix Plate Special” is TOO SHORT.  With that much fire going on in that track, everyone needed another go round on the beat.  Even the voicemail in the beginning of the track (from DJ Revise’s “manager”) is absolutely hilarious.

Now… for the good:

“Mix Tape Special” even though it’s hella short… is hella FIYAH.  The beat, the 16s, the lineup… amazing.  Follow that up with the remix of Eat Sh*t and Die with everyone on that… definitely head nodding material.

I’ve always found the reflective tracks from Creed some of the better ones, so “Much More to Say” and “See You Again” are seriously in rotation right now.

“Hell” and “Brand New Bag”… yeah, it’s like I immediately head to those tracks whenever I want to listen to this CD.  Certainly lost it with the “I’mma slap you nerd-ass rappers” line.

So, in conclusion, there’s nothing on this CD that grabs you and shake you in the same way like “Flesh and Blood” or “Missing You”, but, in a way, that’s a good thing.  The change in the focus of not only the CD, but in Creed himself definitely comes out in this CD.  It’s a lot more than 17 random tracks thrown together, there’s actually a cohesive theme and a focus to everything on the CD.  I’m happy to have gotten this CD early to check out and see that Hawaii Hip-Hop will continue after losing a dope act like the AudibleLabRats.

Hawaii HIp-Hop is fine, just as long as everyone avoids the Island Fever and continues to be SIQ of Lazy.  Happy to see Creed isn’t falling victim of that.

You can scoop up this CD starting August 30th from most music outlets, including Prototype, Jelly’s, Too Gruvs, and iTunes.