Forget previous rap-rock fads; Grand Analog consists of music veterans (DJs, MCs, musicians and music collectors) who take the best of all genres for their sophomore album. You can rock a party like NERD on Magnifico, head bump toStir Crazy, or relax with a ska vibe as Odario Williams briefly sings before rhyming on Take it Slow. They also know how to pick the best with Canadian collaborators Shad, Cadence Weapon and Winnipeg’s Nestor Wynrush, whose humour is fitting on Not Enough Mondays. Williams also respects his duties as MC/lead vocalist. Calling himself the “spokesperson for the broke person,” he doesn’t forget to consciously call attention to those in need. Like Grand Analog’s group members or any DJ set, Metropolis is Burning gives crowds the best parts of many styles of music.

Published in Volume 64, Number 4 of The Uniter (September 24, 2009)