[rating=2.50]
In their sixth studio release titled, The Family Sign, Minnesota-based hip hop duo Atmosphere present what seem to be a collection of dark memories overlaid on top of minimalistic, yet effective, instrumental beats. Many producers filter and sift for simplicity in music to bring out elements that add depth and profoundness to the arrangements. In this chapter of their career, the stories brought forth by Sean Daley, better known as Slug, at times display themes of pain, anger and separation, though the distant blandness and clouded quality of wordplay distracts the listener from most of what is formative.
The plot in “Bad Bad Daddy” presents an imaginable vision of a destructive father-figure, but the construction of the structure and content of the song doesn’t seem to piece together.
Throughout the whole record, you find yourself questioning lyrics like “Here, play with this pitcher of beer, sit in these chairs and don’t disappear,” on “Bad Bad Daddy,” and “I saw two birds fly south, then I thought about the day we bought that house,” on “If You Can Save Me Now.” On the contrary, the emotion-filled song titled “The Last to Say” aims poetry at an abusive relationship in a powerful way. A steady bass drum kick adds the heartbeat to this piece that seems to be taken from a child’s perspective in a family where the “anger lives on through their son.” Slug’s up-and-down pace and delivery allow you to focus on the story behind this track.
While much of the content is forceful, there appears to be more confusion than cohesion present after listening to this album. In its entirety, the instrumentals and production behind the piano-laced beats that make up much of The Family Sign speak louder than the poetic flow of Slug and the quality of his lyricism.
