Sev Statik Slow Burn Pitch Control Music Urban/Hip-Hop 03-01-2005

SCORE 90%

Three little pigs wanted to build houses. The first built his house of straw, the second of sticks. With their houses built quickly and carelessly, they settled in to relax and enjoy the good life. The third pig, mocked by the previous two, took time and care in the process, building his house out of bricks. Though it took much longer to build, when trouble came and the first two houses collapsed, the brick house withstood the pressure and proved to be a solid, safe place to live. Based on a Biblical concept, "The Three Little Pigs" is a simple, yet telling, story with which most people are familiar.

Sev Statik, member of the Tunnel Rats and Deepspace5, extends this concept to every aspect of our lives, stating the importance of "paying your dues" and building a legacy with your efforts on Earth. Slow Burn represents the result of life-long labors that have given Sev the platform on which he speaks. Enlisting such names as Shawn J Period, Tony Stone, and Joey Beats for production, Sev Statik presents his message on one of the most extraordinarily rich soundtracks of the year. Ranging from the sample-heavy banger, "Son Come Down" to the enchanting, laid back "Wasted Tears," Slow Burn takes the listener through the gamut of tempos and styles, each revealing another element of the "point man's" directive.

Observing how the industry works, Sev calls out the flash-in-the-pan performers that grab all the billboard chart spots and headlines with music that is designed strictly for marketability and have no depth. He remarks that they are not fooling anyone with their presentation: "We know who was born and who was cloned." Continuing further by drawing parallels to the Christian life, Sev encourages his listeners to put in the work necessary to build a solid and meaningful faith, rather than opting for a superficial following of Christ that crumbles at the first sign of struggle.

With sound lyricism, impeccable timing on his delivery, and a superb soundtrack, Slow Burn is sure to be a hit with serious hip hop fans. Sev Statik keeps the embers burning with another quality project, cementing himself as a cornerstone of conscious hip hop.