Asher Roth – Asleep in the Bread Aisle
Track-by-Track Review
Asher Roth: Asleep In The Bread Aisle
by MediK
medik@istandardproducers.com
iStandardProducers.com/medik
If you are reading your first Track by Track, here on iStandardProducers.com, then there are a few things you must know:
#1 We focus mostly on the beats … obviously – hence the name “PRODUCERS” in iStandardProducers.com… however we are still reviewing the record as a whole.
#2 EVERY track gets equal shine…
#3 You know how we do it…we don’t check the credits until the album is heard in its entirety!
Firstly, I don’t think that Asher Roth has any similarities to Eminem in lyrical prowess, vocal inflection or content. He is a new voice, bringing something new to Hip-Hop. Let’s judge with an open mind.
- Lark On My Go-Kart (Produced by Oren Yoel and David Appleton) – The album starts off with head nodding acoustic drums that give you an underground feel. A fuzzy EP layered on top of the drums keeps the track moving. The arrangement is pretty much looped throughout the whole song with a 2-bar break here and there, but there isn’t much variation to the track. Sometimes that formula is what works best. Solid intro.
- Blunt Cruisin’ – (Produced by Oren Yoel) – This track resonates with the 4.20 feel. The laid back acoustic drums coupled with a sample from Anatolian rock artist Edip Akbayram features a really fuzzed out guitar riffs seated in the back of the mix. The track arrangement switches up a few times to a more up-tempo drum arrangement for 8 bars before going back to the ‘Blunt Cruisin’ vibe. Nothing stands out in this track but it gets a pass.
- I Love College – (Produced by Mike Caren and Ben Allen) – ‘I Love College’ features a sped up Weezer sample (Say It Ain’t So). Again, the sampled portion is layered with warm acoustic drums with that old school hip-hop swing. The arrangement does not vary very much but overall it’s a decent song.
- La Di Da – (Produced by Don Cannon) – This is one of my favorite songs on the album that again features pumping acoustic drums with a sick wah guitar riff and smooth bass line. The track tends to swallow Asher’s vocals but that’s ok, the beat’s sick. Enough said.
- Be By Myself – (Produced by Oren Yoel) – I’m reminded of Gnarls Barkley when I hear this track and that might be because Cee-Lo is featured on the track. A fuzzy organ lead moves the track along with up-tempo drum arrangement. The vocal production is well done, especially for Cee-Lo whose voice had an airy feel as well as many layers.
- She Don’t Want A Man - (Produced by Oren Yoel) – You get a rock/hip-hop cross genre attempt through the production on this track. The layering in the production is very subtle and simple. Asher’s vocals sound very tubey which adds an interesting texture to the track. I can see this being a cross over record.
- Sour Patch Kids – (Produced by Oren Yoel) – I start hearing Oren Yoel’s style as he goes to the distortion electric guitar for the lead track layered with a piano and possibly a fuzzy EP. Once again live sounding acoustic drums drive the rhythm. Throughout the song I’m reminded of Tribe Call Quest. Am I off on this one?
- As I Em- (Produced by Oren Yoel and David Appleton) – This record sampled Joe Jackson’s ‘Geraldine and John’. The production is pretty much a remake of the original but it does not grab my attention. Unfortunately this track is skip worthy for me.
- Lion’s Roar – (Produced by Oren Yoel) – Uptempo, dirty synth/guitar distortion, fast shakers and tambourines, fast bass line, and a floating vocal texture from New Kingdom sums up the production……I’m definitely feeling this song especially Busta’s double time delivery (sorry Asher but Busta has mastered this). I especially like the break down and the outro of the track with the rearrangement of the chord progressions. Worthy of leaving on repeat.
- Bad Day- (Produced by Oren Yoel and David Appleton) – The production here is not very interesting. The synth bass line with programmed drums didn’t really have much imagination in this attempt. My lack of enthusiasm isn’t helped by the boring lyrics and unbearable chorus. No wonder this record is near the end of the album. Next.
- His Dream - (Produced by Oren Yoel) – As Asher pays tribute to his father (something that rarely happens in hip-hop), the production successfully mirrors his content. Down-tempo drum arrangement, sweet string arrangements, EP line and a twinkling piano really brings you into Asher’s world. Overall the record is well done.
- Fallin – (Produced by Novel) – The usual nostalgic track finishes up the album with a moderate tempo piano riff with the occasional eighth note stabs. This is then layered with pads and an occasional buzz synth chiming in. Decent production on the overall project.
The majority of the production of ‘Asleep In The Bread Aisle’ is handled by relatively new producer Oren Yoel. He brought a rock inspired and underground sound to the album that complimented Asher’s content. I would have liked to hear some more collaboration with Don Cannon on this project, but maybe that will happen on the sophomore effort. In general, Asher’s cohesive sound mixed with Oren Yoel’s boom-bap rock/hip-hop style can grow into something greater if they continue to collaborate. Solid effort from newcomers, Asher and Oren.
3.0 out of 5
Tags: Asher Roth, Asleep In The Bread Aisle, istandard, iStandard Blog, istandard producer showcase, istandardproducers, istandardproducers.com, track, Track By Track
