The Tongue - Shock & Awe (2007)

Review by Kim Maisch

Despite being relatively new in the studio - this 23 year old from Sydney is no amateur! His career spawned from the freestyle battle arena, where he took out numerous BattleActs, NSW Battle4Supremacy 2005 and the 7th Revolver MC Battle. Having made a name for himself, he supported well-known artists including De La Soul and The Herd.

In 2006 he received prominent air-play on JJJ with his debut EP "Bad Education". Now, with his debut LP "Shock & Awe" released this year, The Tongue is worthy of the spotlight once again.

This album is attest to his talent in the studio and as a writer, with a mixture of seriousness and satire throughout. His lyrics are crafted with unrivaled ability, and his vocals are clear, sharp and flow effortlessly. The album also comes with a booklet of lyrics which are well worth a read if you want more time to ponder of The Tongues thoughts.

Some of the standout tracks for me were:

I Know A DJ, where The Tongue has a stab at the commercial music process, indicating he doesn't have the need to conform to mainstream demands (with the lyrics "so even if the radio don't give this love, I know DJ Diaz will cut it up in the club"). I respect an artist who stays true to themselves rather than submitting to industry demands. This track also features DJ Diaz, DJ Skoob and Elgusto.

Animal Crackers, featuring Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow, is a spirited track with a grim story about how animals might perceive humans (with lyrics such as "What we ever do to you? That's our rainforest too!"). It is spoken as a children's story book.

Somebody's Trying To Kill Me, a satirical track taking a paranoid look at how society is killing us (the lyrics "he puts the saturated fats in your KFC" for example). A bouncy track with notable use of horns in the chorus - this track would be a winner on the radio.

The Blues gives those that have not checked out a battle (such as myself) a taste of what it might be like. The track starts with some bloke trying to persuade The Tongue to battle on his night off - "nah mate, nah, I'm not gonna battle - I'm just having a beer". When finally pushed into it, he belts out some awesome lyrics. He's not afraid to show his confidence - "I turn rappers to blues singers, they so soft like fairy floss" - but this form of arrogance would be crucial to a successful battle.

Inheritance, featuring Jane Tyrrell, is a meaningful track that takes a look at the shameful state of the world today. It covers the environment, wars, and politics. This track echoes the thoughts of young Australians, as we inherit a world that has been scarred by conservative and greedy older generations. "This is what we inherited. How can we say thank you if you won't let us open our mouth?".

"Shock & Awe" will receive high rotation on my CD player - it's an impressive and highly enjoyable album. Definitely check it out - a must for aussie-hip-hop fans.

ALBUM RATING: 4 out of 5

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