A Two-Act Album
Posted August 06, 2012
By Jazzy, Staff Reviewer
It is crazy to think how much one person can achieve in such a short amount of time. In just one year, Chris Cobbins went from unsigned, unknown artist, to being nominated for a Grammy for his work with Lecrae. With hit tracks such as "Medicine", "Twitter Love", and "Chase Me Down", Cobbins has definitely made his way in the Christian rap and hip-hop world.
And he continues to do so by releasing his second album, Better: The Fan Appreciation Album. Complete with 11 new tracks, the album starts off with songs displaying his struggles without having God in his life. "Shooter" kicks off his album, and poses as a simple introduction. It features artist, Canon. "Hangover" is up next, and features PRo. This is one of the first tracks that set up the many struggles Cobbins struggled with.
The theme continues with "No To Myself." This song features Ruslan, and speaks to the many temptations they, like many of us, are faced with, and the struggle to tell yourself no. It really touches on the selfishness we each experience.
"Snackn," which features Corey Paul, switches things up a bit, representing a metaphor for getting caught up in worldly issues instead of focusing on God: "You know I could do better, but I do me / I need help to get outta my routine / And so I never take time to wait on a good meal, so I barely recognize what's real."
"Contagious" opens with a low beat, but bursts into loud and quicker beats. This easy-to-sing-along song makes it hard not to bob your head. "One Night Stand" is up next and speaks again of his temptations: "I'm addicted to the party, the night is calling me / I plan on rolling my last smoke and sippin' my last drink." Later in the song he sings: "I got this under control, I swear it's the last time / I just need to get my fix then I'll get back right."
At this point, this is where the album takes a huge turn. This is where listeners can really see a lot of lyrical depth from Cobbins. Sticking with the theme, it's as if he has put those old habits away, has been made new, and can finally "Breathe Again." This five-minute ballad featuring Butta P remains my favorite on the album, and is one that I feel that's relatable to many listeners.
To continue with this change of pace, next up is "Believe in U." This simple and catchy song gives thanks to God. "In The Morning" is a beautiful song speaking to the woman who "gives herself away to someone who could never pay for what she's worth."
Yet again the pace is changed with the upbeat ballad "Another One." Although the pace is changed, it does complete the theme of Cobbins being made new and proclaiming, "It's so beautiful to see a new day!"
The album closes with the title track, "Better," which goes perfectly with the album theme since Cobbins has been made "better" by God. "I think I'm better now / I, I, I, I, I, I think I'm better now."
Closing Thoughts:
The first half of Better: The Fan Appreciation Album is slightly confusing and difficult to listen to at first. With songs including "Hangover" and "One Night Stand," I feel as though if listeners didn't play the entire album, his overall theme and message of struggling and then being made new would be completely lost.
But once I reached the second half, it really captured my attention. It's here that Cobbins gets more in depth and opens up to his audience. The album takes a turn into the theme of being made new, and as a listener, these five relatable, catchy, and lyrically in-depth songs, make this album worth a listen.
Song to Download Now:
"Breathe Again" ( sign up through NoiseTrade for this free track) View All Music And Book Reviews By Jazzy | View Jazzy's Profile
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