PunchBook

Grade: B+

Slug and Ant deliver again!

Fans of Atmosphere are a cross between true hip-hop junkies and voyeurs into the life of Slug. As these two hip-hop legends of the Midwest age, their albums are packed with less resentment and angst and more with clever beats and reflective lyrics. Make no mistake; they are still not your run of the mill mainstream hip-hop group just looking to make a quick buck. Their emotions and talent resonate in every line of lyric and in every Ant beat.

When Life Gives You Lemons… has all the signature markings of an Atmosphere album (references to Jacob, Minnesota, and that crazy woman). However, things are a little more big picture, and less about touring the country in a van. Songs like Dreamer and In Her Music Box tell stories of everyday people, with everyday issues, and how they make the most of what they have to find meaning in life. Whether it’s raising two kids alone or a young girl not seeing her thug father as anything less than a celebrity, Lemons gives different perspectives that make you empathetic to others’ situations and gain that deeper appreciation for humanity. Pretty deep shit, I know, but that’s why these guys are so damn good, and they done it for years….and I have Minnesota bias.

All that aside, what makes this album so killer? It’s still the play on the Lemons to Lemonade - Lemons to Gold. The first sounds we hear on track one are of a music box playing slow and feint - life grinding and fading away. At the end of the last track the same melody is going louder, faster, and stronger - with more purpose and meaning. Darker songs like Your Glasshouse have this dark, thunderstorm rolling in type sound that accentuates a storyline that’s shit is painted less gold.

This album is a little less edgy and hip than other Atmosphere records, except Slug throws the word “whip” around - kids seem to like that these days. All joking aside, issues are a little bigger than the duo’s life on the road - but the most powerful song on the album is Yesterday. I got choked up when I heard that song the first time I heard that song on the bus going into work. All I could think about was track 11 on Luci Ford. No one communicates the feelings that normal people feel like Slug does. When Life Give You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold doesn’t fail to do that either.

Beside Yesterday, I especially dig (not digg) Dreamer and The Waitress. My favorite line “I think it’s great how you used to be great.” Simple, yet meaningful and the delivery is that punch to the gut type.

This album has a happy feel but it’s got me throw off a bit regarding some of the references….two to be exact.

1) 3 separate references to puppets/puppetry; are we all puppets - does Slug feel like a puppet? I kinda get it but don’t fully get it.

2) For the theme of this album leaning toward the every cloud have a silver lining, Slug’s lyrics are a little suicidal at times.