Get To Know H.E.R.

Planet Asia was once the next big thing. Don’t argue on that one, you know it’s true. His mixtapes were fire and he steadily gained a great reputation in the underground hiphopverse. However, somewhere, somehow, something went wrong. His albums really didn’t live up to the hype and people just moved on to the next “too hyped up to fulfill any exectations” rapper (read Papoose and/or Saigon). But this may be the album to change all that. Continuing his trend of one mc, one producer albums, DJ Muggs has decided to provide the soundscape for Planet Asia’s next album. With any luck, this album just might put our boy on the map again.

Hits aka Why You Should Care:

1. The production by DJ Muggs is more or less what you’ve come to expect from the man (this is a good thing). He’s pretty much perfected that dark, cinematic, nitty gritty sound and it really helps hold the album up. Freaking Smoke is just an interlude but the track is just so sonically pleasing.

2. It’s good to see some of the guest spots on this album, especially B-Real. I mean, he hasn’t exactly improved much since we last heard him, but then again, he hasn’t gotten worse either. Gives me actual hope for his solo that’s due sometime next year.

3. These tracks are the ones I enjoyed the most: Sleeper Cell, Smoke, 9MM (ft B-Real), That’s What It Is, Lions In The Forest (ft B-Real), Black Angels (ft Killah Priest, Cynic and Scratch), Deadly Blade (ft Prodigal Sun and Tri State), Shadows Of Hell, Triple Threat

Strikes aka Reasons You Should Be Wary:

Nothing on this album sticks out as being bad so to say. However, feel free to skip “Language” on every listen.

Balls aka Whatever Floats Your Boat:

1. Planet Asia is all over the place on this album. Sometimes he’s right on point and ripping the beats a new asshole, but other times dude just sounds uninspired. The former moments outweigh the latter moments by a bit but damn.

2. These tracks are just what they are: Pain Language, Black Mask Men, Death Frees Everyone (ft Sick Jacken), All Hail The King (Planet Asia kills it, but the beat is more or less eh), Drama, Hashashins (ft Turban and Chace Infinite)

Final Thoughts:

It is what it is. Overall, it’s an extremely solid album that leans towards the good side. Pain Language isn’t a bad album by any means and in fact, I like it. But it’s not making any top 10 lists this year and there are a good number of 2008 albums that I would rather bump over this one. If you’re a DJ Muggs and/or Planet Asia fan, this won’t disappoint. If you’re not either of the above, check it out if you want; it won’t be a waste of time. But even if you don’t, you really won’t be missing anything spectacular.