Artist: HeadRush

Location: Waterbury, CT

Album: Woodstock

Release Date: July 23, 2017

 

Swank’s Take

The album came out two weeks ago and I have tried my best to make sure I gave it enough listens to give an accurate and thorough review. The first thing that I want to say is this: if I were to give one word to describe to a potential listener what they will get themselves into with this album, the word would be refreshing. In a cloudy 2017 world full of mumble rap and trap music, the Brass City behemoth shines through yet again with Woodstock. For those who do not know, Woodstock is the name of a musical festival that laid host to many of music’s legendary acts starting in the late-1960s. Ask someone about the festival and you will likely be told that there was a lot of love in the air, as well as smoke from, well…let’s say there was a lot of hippies there :).  Woodstock is also the name of that cool ass yellow bird that hung out with Snoopy. Woodstock ain’t say a whole lot, but he was very cool and talented. I wonder if Rush had that planned? Brilliant.

This album has ten tracks, and you would be doing yourself a disservice as a listener if you tried to skip any of them. A savvy veteran in this rap game, Rush wastes no tracks on this one, and his beat selection was phenomenal. And of course, if you enjoy listening to bars, Rush does not slack in that department. He will not backpack hippity-hip-hop you over the head with bars…..or is he just so smooth and slick with his flow that you do not happen to notice a lot of em? Like I said, HeadRush has been doing this for a while and at a consistently dominant level. The city slickin’ smooth talker touches upon various topics throughout the album: whether it be his “there should be Indians in Indiana” line in America, or the story on the fate of Brenda’s baby in Today (Yeah, that Brenda). What I’ll do now is go over a quick review of each track, to the best of my ability.

The album starts off with Peace (prod. by Svmson), a real smooth track with Rush reminiscing on things that typically bring him peace. Listen man, this is a great intro track to put you in a peaceful mood to enjoy the rest of the album.

Next up is Today (prod. by Menic, Niko the Great, and Taylor King), which is an ode to what Brenda’s baby is up to. Yes, in this track, Brenda’s baby was found and saved by Makaveli.

Money, Power, Respect (prod. by Svmson) might just be my favorite track on the album due to the hook+bars+beat trifecta. “Hustle hard like I owe the connect….instead of getting the cash, all I want is a check”. Another smooth joint where Rush eloquently laid down bars. I like that whole 3,000 bar you laid out there too haha.

I briefly touched upon America (prod. L. David, and Gustavs Strazdins) earlier. “Red and blue lights flickin’, told me I fit the description//I said I’m 6’2”, 220, blue dreads, still describin//…like that matters, and best rapper when I feel like it”…told you he be talkin that slick!

Woodstock (prod. by Savion X), the title track, has a very memorable hook, but I think that this track really shows a lot of that slick-talkin bars I was talking about earlier. I say give it a good thorough listen.

OK, when I said Money, Power, Respect was my favorite joint, I think I lied. I forgot about Diddy & Ma$e (prod. by J.Cardenas). My favorite beat on the album easily. My boy was on here lyrically flexing. It’s great! “Was a bad boy, now a nigga great…”

Produced by Danny the 3rd, Red, White & Blue tells some stories of growing up in the Dirty Water. Rush exhibits his story-telling ability yet again on this track over a very nice, laid-back, smooth instrumental.

The Note (prod. Canis Major) is a note, an ode to the almighty dollar (C-Note). And it shows Rush’s extensive creativity.

The next track is Dream, produced by Dreamlife. This beat has a more up-tempo to it, with an inspirational hook “life’s short, make the most of it”. A lot of bars in here too that you gotta listen closely for.

Finishing up the album is Island, which I think serves as a great follow-up track to Dream, as well as a very dope outro to the album. What good is an island without the family?

 

Final Verdict

Whenever it is ever all said and done, I think Rush deserves to have his jersey hung up in the rafters. Woodstock just adds to the argument that he should be considered one of, if not the best to come out of the Brass City. And did I mention, he did this album with no features????

Look, if you are looking for a club banger…This album ain’t for you. If you are looking to have your head blown off with millions of metaphors, similes, and extensive vernacular that can put Marshall himself to shame….This album ain’t for you. But, if you are looking for the happy–and I mean very happy— medium, then come meet ya boy at Woodstock.

 

If you want to take a listen to Woodstock, you can go to http://www.rushmarley.com/. The album is also on all streaming platforms