Rap is not dead. It's at a crossroads where Judgementday seems to be around the corner. Easy choices. Good or evil. Life or death. Love or hate. This world seems to be filled with the latter choice of each duo. Lino knows this and puts it to music like few others did before.
Monsieur Bors, one half of legendary crew Ärsenik and part of the Secteur Ä collective, has been looking on when others took ill advised shots and missed. He has been looking on when others released their claims to fame, and failed. He did his thing with Ärsenik and often was referred to as a great MC, lyricist and one of the best around, but still it was quiet around the veteran.
This year he took that step. He now has taken off his glove and has been handing out slaps left and right. Hardcore, honest and nearly flawless with "Arsenik and no different solo.
Altough it's almost impossible, Lino uses the first track of his album to make sure the new listeners get acquainted with him in a little over three minutes. The track uses the same format we heard IAM use before where each question gets answered in a quick one-two.
It's all Lino like we're used too. Ill technique, great voice and sharp punchlines. The production on the album sounds both warm and synthetic at times, like on the briliant "Agent Dormant" with production by Djimi Finger.
Lino finds Janik for the Sec.Undo produced "Chant Libre", a great track with good lyrics and an impressive Janik on the hook. This track has the ingredients one of the less impressive tracks on this album lacks. "Braque Les Spots" feels like it's out of place on a failry dark album. Jango Jack's guestvocals don't fit in with the vibe of the tracks. We're not saying it's a bad track, but rather a bad choice at this spot.
It's probably a little nitpicking, but that's about the only flaw on this album. Lino invites his brother in crime Calbo for "Première Catégorie" on which they jab with Booba over a tight production. Other guestspots include Wallen and K.Ommando Toxik, both of which deliver good performances. The latter one starring on the hardcore "Tant Que La Foule Braille" which sounds wonderful and agressive at the same time.
The whole album is really coherent and sounds really good. The production is very professional and spreads the same energywaves we've gotten used to while listening to earlier Ärsenik albums. This one will stay in our rotation for a long time to come, and it's part of a great sequence of last minute 2005 releases.
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