Release Date: Apr 20, 2004
Genre(s): Indie, Rap
Record label: Coup De Grace
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This album starts off with a deep and deliberate hip-hop backbeat on the very promising "Focus," which is quite focused, bringing to mind Jay-Z and his "99 Problems" hit but slightly lighter. Plodding along nicely, Automato is also influenced by bands like the Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest with keyboards and piano in the mix. The group keeps the momentum on "The Single," although it's not quite as groovy, but is helped with solid harmonies, group interaction, and frat house party ambience.
Hip hop albums that end on four-minute jam sessions are few and far between, but even rarer are hip hop albums that pull it off without straining something. I believe, actually, that Automato are the sole members of this category. For this accomplishment, they win my profound respect, and a board game version of Dusted Magazine. What they don’t win is a glowing review.
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