"This is Now" LP [March, 2004]
reviewed by Travis Fleming for Lakehead University Radio

The debut album from Vancouver based Prizm can be described as an introduction to this young MC's potential. Although the LP definitely runs too long and is hard to listen to start to finish, it does offer some gems throughout and shows that as a 17 year old rookie to the Vancouver scene he was confident enough to go right ahead and put out a full length album independently. And to be honest a year ago I heard this kids music floating around the internet and thought nothing of it but in the span of only one year he's grown into a smooth delivering, soulful, hungry MC and I can't wait to hear what he brings to the table a couple years from now. But after all this is now, pun intended, and he pulled off an impressive rookie release especially when you consider the age/experience factor.

Clearly influenced by the likes of NaS, he has a raspy voice, an at times slurred but controlled delivery (think of method man, RZA) and a rather smooth flow which compliments his voice very well. He definitely doesn't come across as a rookie when it comes to rhyme structure, spitting a variety of different paces and change up flows with some nice multi syllabic rhymes. His flow falls off every so often but for the most part is on point and after all we can't all be Big Daddy Kane's or Aceyalone’s as far as flows go.

The subject matter on this album ranges from his philosophies/views, which at times comes off a little too preachy (especially for someone his age), to more of a personal, introspective style towards the end of the album with a couple conceptual and battle tracks in between.

This is Now hosts a range of different producers, nearly a dozen in total I believe. That would usually lead to a wide variety of beat styles but this album sounds surprisingly coherent as far as beats go, definitely a similar sound throughout with a few stand outs compliments of Craig Rip, FEAR, and D-Rec. Nice beat selection by Prizm made the album consistent in that area. But again the album running 21 tracks deep with that similar sound throughout gets a little repetitive and boring after a while, a cut down in the album's length would have definitely lead to a more enjoyable piece.

Stand out tracks are Night Writer, Stranger Things, Lost in the Page, Rouge, and The Truth. But it's Liquid Styles, produced by Sydafek, which stand out as the albums nicest track. The beat is hype and lyrics equally matching, Prizm at his finest.

All in all this was a good first effort. And I most definitely enjoyed enough tracks to give it a few listens and some play on my radio show. I have a few criticisms as far as peachiness, album length, and a slightly unpolished flow go but that's nothing that can't be worked on for the next release. I look forward to hearing a more matured/experienced Prizm release in the future. This kid has hella potential and he shows sparks of a dope mc to come throughout this LP, pick it up while you can because in a few years you're gonna wished you copped his debut while you still could after hearing his sophomore releases and so on.

REVIEWED BY TRAVIS FLEMING