Classified - Handshakes and Middle Fingers
Rating
RIYL
AtmosphereP.O.S.
Brother Ali
Release Date
03/22/2011
Label
SonyTracklist
1. Intro: Ups And Downs2. That Ain’t Classy
3. High Maintenance
4. Unusual (Feat. Joe Budden)
5. Danger Boy
6. Stay Cool
7. Passion
8. Maybe Its Just Me (Feat. Brother Ali)
9. Young Soul
10. Run With Mw
11. The Day Doesn’t Die
12. They Don’t Know (Feat. Mic Boyd & White Mic)
13. Step It Up
14. Desensitized
15. The Hangover (Feat. Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo)
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I used to review a band a day when this site first launched. Hell, I’d give every album, no matter the level of actual quality, a good review just so I could continue getting free albums in the mail. It’s definitely a lot harder to review something you’re just not that into instead of what you enjoy, but that was the premise behind the launching of DecoyMusic.com in the first place--to expose, discuss, and review artists and albums that might be somewhat unknown. Since the site has grown, it’s become a lot harder for me to write reviews, especially when we have a great staff in place reviewing bands while I focus on the daily tasks of keeping this site running. Even though I'm not doing much writing, our staff and this site has stayed true to the original vision of DecoyMusic. We try to inform you about the good and the bad while not missing out on discussing some of the do-not-miss records of the year. Diversity is our motto here at DecoyMusic and although we featured Classified during hip-hop week, he deserves every ounce of praise in this review and you owe it to yourself, no matter what your genre of choice is, to give his album Handshakes and Middle Fingers a listen as it is by far the best hip-hop record to be released so far this year.
I haven’t pushed repeat this much on a hip-hop record since P.O.S. put out Never Better in 2009. The more I listen to this record, the more I want to keep listening, and that’s a tough feat for someone who is subjected to listen to as much music as I am. This album dwarfs the new Atmosphere record, it runs circles around the latest Blueprint release, and Saigon released the second best hip-hop record so far in 2011, but it doesn’t even come close to the staying power Classified has created here. While preparing listeners with “Intro: Ups and Downs” and flowing directly into the first single “That Ain’t Classy” the record really hits its stride once the third track, “High Maintenance,” hits your speakers. I don’t even need to be high to enjoy the ode to marijuana, verses that are raw and ring true to Classified’s northeastern Canadian roots, telling stories of trials and tribulations, life and love, and loss and family; I haven’t heard a more true record in quite some time. The sultry revelations on “Unusual" (which features Joe Budden) keep this record flowing like the masterpiece it is right into one of the best tracks on the album, “Danger Bay,” which talks about staying true to Classified’s roots all while never selling out. I could list each good song on this record and talk about them individually, but then I would be talking about all fifteen of them. Each song translates perfectly to the next, creating a solid mix of grooves and upbeat tracks that keep you interested throughout the album's full run time.
I could give myself carpal tunnel syndrome typing about how rock solid of a release Handshakes & Middle Fingers is, I could post a message a day through social media outlets about how this album should make top ten lists for years to come, hell, I could study hypnotism and brainwash you all into starting to like hip-hop, but thankfully I don’t have to. Whatever your genre preference, no matter what your listening background is or what language you speak, Classified will transcend these differences to make you a follower--all you need to do is dive into this record and I’m sure you’ll see exactly where I’m coming from.
--Aaron Yarborough
Comments
Daddy like.
totally the wrong "Hear" link
Atascadero, CA
yea, my bad.. totally fixed up that there "hear" link.
Decoymusic.com (CEO/Founder)
Blue Reef Design Studios (Web Development)
http://aarontroy.tumblr.com
Minnesota
I didn't think this was as good as his last couple albums. I was discussing this with Bill a week or two ago and I just didn't care for the tracks where Classified was talking about chicks and making stupid rhymes about them. It's a HUGE killer when the rest of the tracks are pretty solid.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Lehigh Valley, PA
This is defintely top 10 material for me. Possibly even top 5
Lehigh Valley, PA
HOWEVER, this is NOT better than Saigon 's release. It's fuckin close though, I'll tell ya that. Both albums are fire and blow Atmosphere and Blueprint's new releases out of the water.
Atascadero, CA
oh, opinions.. :)
Decoymusic.com (CEO/Founder)
Blue Reef Design Studios (Web Development)
http://aarontroy.tumblr.com
Minnesota
Atmosphere > Classified > Blueprint > Saigon
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Lehigh Valley, PA
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! Rick, have you even listened to the new Saigon!?!?!
and Aaron, glad to see you write again, especially on an excellent album!
Minnesota
Blueprint grew on me and Saigon just didn't connect with me yet. I'll give it another shot or two, but it just felt bloated, lacking kick-ass standout tracks, and just didn't give me a great "feeling".
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Lehigh Valley, PA
<3!
If it weren't for ya'll my rap/hip-hop interests would still resolve around Do or Die and Will Smith. Thank you Decoy for introducing me to Atmosphere, Sage, Dessa, and Classified. Now I need to check out Blueprint and Saigon.
Lehigh Valley, PA
I'm doing a write-up on a bunch of should know" hip hop artists... that's if I ever finish it, right Rick and Aaron ;-)
Sweet. Look forward to reading it.
Revolve not resolve, Big Willy Style got me mistyping.