Pigeon John Summertime Pool Party Quannum Projects Urban/Hip-Hop 09-12-2006

SCORE 88%

All good things must come to an end, but sometimes, the ending is the best part. Think about it. Unless you're into predictable movies and television shows, the climax of films comes towards the end building in suspense up to that point and leaving viewers with a satisfactory resolution. We may not necessarily look forward to the end of the day, but most days, the evening is marked with a dazzling display known as a sunset. Consider it one last memory, a final glimpse to remind you of the season as it fades into the past.

For Pigeon John, the end of his time with the hip-hop collective known as LA Symphony marked the beginning of a bright solo career. After significant success independently, he landed on Quannum Projects, a mainstream underground hip-hop label, alongside the likes of Blackalicious and DJ Shadow. Debuting on his new platform, Pigeon John presents the Summertime Pool Party, a collection of songs that offer glimpses of significant endings. Case in point is "The Last Sunshine," which talks about having flashbacks of your previous accomplishments and looking back on life with regret and a hope that you're memories will last. Other songs talk about growing up ("Higher?!", "Growing Old), ending relationships ("Money Back Guarantee"), losing a job ("I Lost My Job Again"), and the end of the world ("As We Know It").

Those familiar with his previous releases will know to expect something different from Pigeon John when it comes to production. Though Pigeon John does rap, the bulk of the soundtrack consists of unconventional hip-hop along with some experimental elements. Songs such as "Welcome to the Show" and "I Lost My Job Again" feature a non-standard sound that focuses on a melody. "One for the..." and "The Last Sunshine" offer listeners a cleaner hip-hop sound while cuts like "Freaks, Freaks" and "Higher?!" seem to bridge the gap between to two styles. And of course there are interludes which provide introductions to some of the themes found later in the album as well as a dose of humor.

Overall, Pigeon John has produced again. Summertime Pool Party is another solid effort that pushes the boundaries of artistry, both musically and lyrically. It should be noted that the content and subject matter on the album may seem inappropriate for a younger audience, but the songs present a challenging look at dealing with emotional and spritual struggles in a real life setting. Fans of PJ's previous work will find a lot to enjoy here as well. Those new to his style may have to learn to like it. All said and done, it's certainly a quality album worth checking out.