CYNE
featured review, November08 November 9th, 2008
By Travis Fristoe, November 2008
Pretty Dark Things, Hometapes Recordings
Gainesville prides itself on a few musical success stories – Tom Petty and Sister Hazel. Even the somewhat “alternative” bands like Less Than Jake get lauded as exemplars of local boys made good. All of which is fine—history tales reward followers of Manifest Destiny. Today’s smart money, however, may be on hip-hop group CYNE.
Meaning we need to (in rap terms) recognize. Because the new double-album Pretty Dark Things shows a new highwater mark for this already interstellar band.
CYNE’s dynamic remains one of balance and collective strength—two DJs (Speck & Enoch) and two MCs (Cise Star & Akin). Less spotlight, and more of an overall glow. Yes, like the glow in The Last Dragon.
CYNE’s unique style is evident from the very first track — two seconds of breakbeat drums give way to a looping highlife guitar. Beats resurface as accents instead of thundering command. Lines repeat as if to make sure you can keep up. If that sounds more open-mic than MTV, then be grateful.
The lyrical manifesto comes through clear from that initial song “Just Say No.” You know what they’re clearly against – radio (“that music’s like crack / killing black self-esteem”) and more so what they’re for (“CYNE mix tapes for the women and the children-one per person / play it in your churches”). The song ends with chanting, and if it doesn’t give you chills then seek help.
The vocals share a playful confidence, switching duties and mixing invectives with pop culture (“We make Planet Rock: neo-Zulu … where all Tony Danzas dance to my Angelas”). We get 16 tracks of such alchemy here, unafraid to ask questions like “Thug, nerd or player?”
I’m not sure how many (if any) members of CYNE still live in Gainesville, given the anemic options for local rap artists. Regardless, CYNE’s organic confidence is the answer to most music’s palliative—recognize and respect.
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CYNE
featured review, November08 November 9th, 2008By Travis Fristoe, November 2008
Pretty Dark Things, Hometapes Recordings
Gainesville prides itself on a few musical success stories – Tom Petty and Sister Hazel. Even the somewhat “alternative” bands like Less Than Jake get lauded as exemplars of local boys made good. All of which is fine—history tales reward followers of Manifest Destiny. Today’s smart money, however, may be on hip-hop group CYNE.
Meaning we need to (in rap terms) recognize. Because the new double-album Pretty Dark Things shows a new highwater mark for this already interstellar band.
CYNE’s dynamic remains one of balance and collective strength—two DJs (Speck & Enoch) and two MCs (Cise Star & Akin). Less spotlight, and more of an overall glow. Yes, like the glow in The Last Dragon.
CYNE’s unique style is evident from the very first track — two seconds of breakbeat drums give way to a looping highlife guitar. Beats resurface as accents instead of thundering command. Lines repeat as if to make sure you can keep up. If that sounds more open-mic than MTV, then be grateful.
The lyrical manifesto comes through clear from that initial song “Just Say No.” You know what they’re clearly against – radio (“that music’s like crack / killing black self-esteem”) and more so what they’re for (“CYNE mix tapes for the women and the children-one per person / play it in your churches”). The song ends with chanting, and if it doesn’t give you chills then seek help.
The vocals share a playful confidence, switching duties and mixing invectives with pop culture (“We make Planet Rock: neo-Zulu … where all Tony Danzas dance to my Angelas”). We get 16 tracks of such alchemy here, unafraid to ask questions like “Thug, nerd or player?”
I’m not sure how many (if any) members of CYNE still live in Gainesville, given the anemic options for local rap artists. Regardless, CYNE’s organic confidence is the answer to most music’s palliative—recognize and respect.
