"Surfacing" LP [August, 2004]
reviewed by Dren for Hiphopcrib.com

Pros: Beats, lyrics, overall mixing and production
Cons: Seems geared towards females, one sing-songey track
Score: 8/10
Recommend? Yes.

In a river flooded with drowning weak emcees rapping over unoriginal beats swims an individual, floating above the rest. This happens to be Prizm. Now Prizm is not the pinnacle of emcee god, but he does hold his own and stands out among the rest who seem to blend together.

At first listen of the Surfacing LP we are greeted with a few tracks full with braggadocio lyrics slamming all the rest in means to display Prizm's talents on the mic. The reggae styled "The Game of Life" really catches my ear beat-wise, and Prizm doesn't disappoint here either. "Get Funky Now" follows with an upbeat old school sounding horn sample. This stands out as the best track on the CD with the catchy beat and infectious flow. Prizm owns the beat and rides it better than just about any emcee could. I found myself playing this track over and over again.

After these few tracks Prizm departs from his braggadocio upbeat style and embarks on a love story. The rest of the CD is overwhelmed by the feeling of love and the emotions that come along with it; sadness, happiness, etc. Further down the track list we get to "All I Want" a well put together track where Prizm tells us what he wishes for after his journey of love starts to come to an end. What is nice about this track besides the spaghetti western beat is the direction Prizm took with it. Most would expect him to rap about material wishes, but he wishes for a nice family and more meaningful things - very uplifting, my second favourite track.

The Surfacing LP as a whole is a very well put together story of love. We are introduced to the fun playful yet skilful Prizm in the opening few tracks, then he takes us along on a very uplifting journey heavily driven by love. With all the high points there are some low ones as well. First off the Surfacing LP is a little too full of love. I don't mind a few love tracks here and there, but it seems like the CD was geared towards females. Second the hooks are typically mediocre. They are not too catchy, which is fine with me since I am a huge Slug fan, but as far as commercial appeal he loses a few points. And lastly while Prizm has a unique and nice flow, he seems to be owned by the beat more than owning the beat. Emcees such as Jay-Z and Eminem will ride any beat how they wish and own the beat; Prizm does this on a few tracks, but still has a little ways to go.

Overall a very well put together CD with fresh production and nice lyrics and ideas. Not the most original CD I have ever listened to, but one of the more consistent releases I have reviewed in a long time. Well done.

REVIEWED BY DREN
(Article online here.)