"Soliloquy" LP [June, 2005]
reviewed by Kaleal Crooks for Hiphopcrib.com

Pros: The variety of music holds your interest without sounding like a mixtape
Cons: Short album, sometimes Prizm can leave you bored by the end of the track.
Score: 8/10
Recommend? Yes.

Many artists have tried to leave marks on this mirror of society known as music. Unfortunately, reflections in the glass aren't easy to scratch, unless of course, you walk with the properties of a quality diamond. A year has passed since I sat down to review Prizm's "Surfacing" LP [July, 2004] and having previewed several tracks before the completion of Soliloquy, I wasn't very optimistic about where this album was heading. Could Prizm really bring another album to his catalogue that would expand his audience without losing the man himself? Would he be able to scratch the reflection that was embedded in my mind and recreate himself? I pressed play and waited, wondering if I should be more accepting to this emcee which I have not always seen eye to eye with... Nah, that's not the way Kaleal Crooks operates, y'all know better than that.

The album opens with "Burn" featuring Arowbe. While the beat is wonderful, Prizm sounds like the same emcee I listened to last year. Same unique, upbeat flow and weak hooks. Boring. But, hey, at least he doesn't sound love sick this time. Arowbe is the only thing that kept me from changing the track. The next track seems to have the same feel, let me brag about myself. Hi, I'm Prizm. I am the best. My music is the greatest, and my name is Prizm. I'm taking over the map, and have no competition, because I'm Prizm. Maybe he was aiming for a radio friendly track, or is he looking for mainstream appeal. Silly human... *tracks roll over* ...wait, what's this? Banging beat... dope melodies... *checks credits*... Prizm's on the beat, #4 Fine Line (Portrait of a Man). This is a Prizm that I could get very comfortable with. His powerful lyrics are backed by a mellow beat that slowly builds up strength only to drop you into Prizm's calm, smooth vocals. This contrast is beautiful and makes this song one of my favourites on the LP.

This time around, there is a wider soundscape. The instrumentals are no longer limited to underground, backpacking, boom-bapping beats.. Also, the Kanye-esque vocals that smothered Surfacing are far and few. A huge plus in my book. From the upbeat and jazzy sounds of "How I Feel" to the smooth sounds of the title track "Soliloquy", this album has a healthy variety music that should be good for any ear. Prizm may or may not have improved from the last, but it's not my call. I can say that he is living his life and changing with the times. His stories bring us a little closer to the man on the mic. His beats emphasize the emotion felt in each song. His flow still leaves us bobbing our heads and his rhymes, well... even though his bragging still seems exaggerated, props have been earned this time around. The price tag says 8.99 and with the exception of maybe 2 tracks, this is a bargain. That's it for Crooks, actually looking forward to the future of Prizm this time.

REVIEWED BY KALEAL CROOKS
(Article online here.)