Artist: Hollywood Undead
Album: American Tragedy
Track by Track Review by Ryan
Track 1: Been To Hell
Decent vocals from Danny (and I won't being saying that to often), J3Ts 'rapping' is cringe worthy, both delivery and lyric wise. Charlie easily had the best verse. Production/Instrumental was actually pretty nice. All together slightly above average, lyric wise on a technical side (flow, rhymes, ect.) are better than most of Swan Songs (some nice multis from Charlie) although substance is lacking.
Track 2: Apologize
At opening I do not like the production/instrumental and Danny is very annoying here. First verse is sad and its obvious that the rapping is stitched together every couple bars. Another nice Charlie verse, one of his best flows and technical lyrics I've heard from Hollywood Undead, Johnny and Danny ruin this song for me however.
Track 3: Comin In Hot
Party track, not a bad hook from Danny & Funnyman. First verse is so stitched together it really sounds bad and the puns and punchlines are horrible..."Drinking so much goose we turn to geese" Wow Recovery had better punchlines than that...and Recovery, "Im nuts...call me the ballsack." The Beastie Boys pass the mic style verse here almost works for them, but the lines didn't flow together well enough. Production/instrumental here is disappointing, a more rock infused beat would've probably sounded sick on this track.
Track 4: My Town
Right of the bat, Danny annoying, first verse is cringe-worthy. Production/instrumental is extremely average. Hook makes it sound like a very poppy version of Young Jeezy's "Put On". Charlie's verse was average. Not much really to say here.
Track 5: I Don't Wanna Die
Danny sounds whiny, but it works here. Hook is annoying and long. First verse is way above average of a HU track, lyrics and content wise. Second verse is content lacking and flow is almost non-existent, there almost sounded like their could be some emotion, but he cut it off and made the verse sound like it ended before it was supposed to. Bridge is cheesy. This also sounds like a diss to Deuce. Instrumental/Production is nice for a hip-hop beat, I would actually like to have this one.
Track 6: Hear Me Now
Lead single of the album. First verse would've been pretty good, if it wasn't for the obvious stitching together. This whole track comes of as a Deuce diss. Danny is annoying here and the hook sounds like it was written in about 5 minutes. J3T's verse had potential, but it sounds like he has zero emotion in it, although it is probably the best flow I've heard from him.
Track 7: Gangsta Sexy
Laughed when I first saw this on the track list honestly, an all white, Rock/Rap group with a track titled Gangsta Sexy. The minimal Danny on the hook is a plus and Charlie has some nice multis and flow in his verse. Hearing Danny calling himself a gangsta is really laughable. Funny man had a pretty nice verse, albeit short. Rapping wise on the technical side, most consistent (in a good way) track yet. Instrumental/Production is average.
Track 8: Glory
Strong (presence wise) opening verse. Strong production/instrumental. Hook lyrics are weak, but the vocals from Danny aren't to bad here. The rapping has quite a bit of obvious stitching, but J3T sounds pretty good on this kind of beat. Danny sounds whiny in the bridge.
Track 9: Lights Out
Deuce diss track if I've ever seen one. Production/Instrumental is weak. Hook is pretty good, including Danny's vocals. First verse is average, technically decent with alright similes. Charlie's verse is impressive, given he sounds like a little kid with lyrics like "Imma cut you up". Having Danny on the bridge and chorus must be like a big middle finger to Deuce, although Deuce's diss tracks were miles better.
Track 10: Coming Back Down
Here's where you hear the Danny that's a "Fucking americal idol reject, that fucking faggot" (Truth in When We Ride) the hook sounds emotional, but weak. Charlie's verse sounds emotionless, although the lyrics are good, same with J3T's verse. Average production/instrumental. Quite brave of HU to release a song like this, considering their fan base.
Track 11: Bullet
First thought, WTF. Reminds me of when Nelly experimented in country...or the Snoop Dogg/Willie Nelson collaboration. First verse is good. Hook sounds way to happy to match the lyrics "Slit my wrist again...put a bullet in my head" Second verse doesn't work with the beat at all. Production/Instrumental seems way to poppy/country for HU, it really just doesn't work. And WTF with the kid(s) at the end, random and annoying.
Track 12: Levitate
Strong opening, whole first verse was probably the best so far on the album. Hook as well other than the le-le-levitate. Other than the stitching together J3T's verse is not bad either. Production/Instrumental, although repetitive and simple is actually quite good. Wouldn't mind having this one as well. Probably second best track on album to me so far.
Track 13: Pour Me
First song on this album that sounds like it has real emotion in it. Danny's voice is annoying here, but the rapping sounds perfect on the beat, which is very good and fitting here. Best J3T verses I've heard. I don't even mind the soft-ness of the track. Danny's bridge is annoying however. Definitely one of the best tracks on the album, actually has substance, good lyrics, although I wouldn't mind a Charlie Scene verse one here.
Track 14: Tendencies
I like the opening, sounds like older Linkin Park sound. Johnny is annoying here. Danny is average here. Second verse is slightly above average, if it wasn't for the stitching the flow would be really nice. I really like the production/instrumental here. Danny's bridge is alright here.
Track 15: Mother Murder
First verse is good, exceptionally good. Hook is fitting, and not annoying, albeit a bit longer than needed. Charlie's verse has quite a bit of stitching, his lyrics are dope, delivery and technically. Bridge is unneeded here, a guitar solo would've worked here very well.
Track 16: Lump Your Head
Opening sounds like some old cartoon superhero theme music, and that follows into the hook. The production/instrumental keeps the cartoon superhero sounds all the way through. Verses are very average, nothing standout. The whole track sounds like a drunk experiment (wouldn't be surprised if it was honestly) full of bad metaphors like "My name ain't dick so keep it outta your mouth"
Track 17: Le Deux
Danny's opening sounds haunting, a bit of screaming in the background would've sounded good. Funnyman's verse was average. Hook is lacking, and Charlie's verse is lacking because this sounds like his older verses, and now we know he's capable of more at this point. Nothing really stand out in this track. Production/instrumental is annoying.
Track 18: S.C.A.V.A.
Danny sounds really whiny here. First verse sounds good, flow fits the instrumental, the lyrics are good and emotion is shown through the mic presence, although it seems cut short. The start/stop flow doesn't quite work all the way through in the second verse me, the emotion is nice however. The bridge sounds unnecessary.
Track 19: Street Dreams
First verse is very good, lyrically and technically. Hook is average here, but not annoying, so it's listenable. Second verse sounds average and bored, although I like the last 2 bars. Third verse sounds cut short. Decent track, don't really like the instrumental/production however.
All-in-all American Tragedy cannot hold a candle to Swan Songs. Without Deuce being here for their sophomore album you can easily see the influence and impact he had on the band. While they are in no way terrible they sound like they are quickly heading down the Linkin Park route, and if you listen to A Thousand Suns you'll see why that is bad.
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