Album Review: Gangstagrass - Rappalachia

Who remembers Bubba Sparxxx? Cast your mind back way back to 2001 and you may recall the muddy chubster's debut single Ugly. It was dross, but was produced by Timbaland – therefore part of the stutter-beat zeitgeist – and it sold well. More than that, it introduced 'hick hop' to the mainstream, and aspiring green belt rappers wondered whether swapping Traktor for a tractor wouldn't be such a bad idea. And you're back in the room.

Brooklyn producer Rench of Gangstagrass is a man with a vision, and on paper the pairing of hip hop and bluegrass is so crazy it just might work. But too often Rench sets his tracks up strictly to formula: padded bass + snare claps + banjo + vocal. The thing about formulas is that they're formulaic, and what first time listeners hope will be a journey to rival the Appalachian Trail is too often a plateau, and occasionally dangerously close to a flatline. Thankfully there are appearances from the likes of Kool Keith and Dead Prez to bring out potential, and Western and Dollar Boss are the standout tracks on the record.

Ultimately, this album of beats, rhymes and life is worth a listen, but probably not a purchase. It's not the first release under the Gangstagrass name, but it just doesn't feel like there's any longevity here. It's a far better effort than anything by the likes of Sparxxx, but you can't help feeling the opportunity for an idiosyncratic all-American soundclash has been lost.