Album Review: Gnotes, Rhymes and Beats

When bohemian indie rapper Gnotes album Rhymes and Beats drops Oct. 9, it will unleash his unique style and sound that won't be found anywhere in the mainstream rap world.

Much like other indie rappers, Gnotes (the G is silent) of Gnawledge Records has a very eclectic sound and spouts unique lyrics in his songs. Gnotes sounds similar to the likes of Beck, the Beastie Boys, and even Matt Kearney.

Don't let the comparisons fool you though; Gnotes still has a very original style and stays true to who he is. Gnotes is an artist first and a rapper second, such as his lyrics explain from "Dodgey Bullets," "I'm learning from my cultural teachers: Poets, innovators, prophets, and leaders."

Rhymes and Beats might be his fourth album but really it's an album unveiling Gnotes as an indie rapper. Gnotes second album Flow From Above was an album more of poetry and his third album Inthrumental was strictly instrumentals. Rhymes and Beats is supposed to be the combination of the two, using all that he has learned about the art to make this album.

Gnotes sticks to his indie roots throughout the album but his deep thoughts and confusing language might be a little to deep for some listeners, not to mention that he tends to come down on the current music industry a little too much like on "Check Dos" where he says "Music's meant to be a real celebration, Be wary what you're hearing on the radio station."

Gnotes deep language on songs like "Samba Tryst" or "Burn Down the Stable" can get the listener easily confused even while reading the lyrics sheet. On "Burn Down the Stable" he spits "Confusion as a Rubik's cube coming unglued I started talking when I got the walking blues." Lyrics like these are difficult to translate for the average listener, which can hurt aspiring artists like him.

It's not all perplexing though, Gnotes studying obviously paid off on "Missin You" where he knocks dead the art of storytelling, although still confusing, his lyricism shines on "The Sun Don't Chill," where he spits "Do you think the sun and the moon both respect each other? Even though their whole lives they've never met each other. Do they realize that when one sleeps the other shines? So when one hits the beach the other one keeps the time"

The two most impressive songs on the album are "We Can Roll" [ft. Noni Kai] and the powerful "Belly of the Beast" performed live with Scroll. "We Can Roll" has mainstream radio potential while "Belly of the Beast" shows Gnotes budding style at its best.

Where Gnotes shines on the album though is through the production, especially on the guitar heavy "Throw Your Nickels Up". Gnotes produced 10 of his 14 songs and four of the guest producers follow suit with solid beats.

C+ >Listen to: Belly of the Beast