Artist: AZTitle: A.W.O.L.Rating: 4 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman
Eleven years after his legendary debut on Nas’ “Life’s A B####,” AZ
has finally delivered the album we have waited for. Even though he
has shown glimpses of greatness on Doe Or Die and
Aziatic, his fifth solo album A.W.O.L. (Quiet Money/Fast
Life) is the most cohesive and focused album of his career. By
abandoning the commercial sounds of Final Call, which was
shelved last year, AZ delivers a gritty yet soulful album that
highlights his versatility. Additionally, fans will finally come away
with a firm understanding of who Anthony Cruz is. With its focus on
content, lyrics and strong beats, the gimmick free album is exactly
what New York City needs right now. In a time when East Coast artists
vehemently try to appeal to certain demographics, AZ stays true to the
Big Apple.
This New York state of mind is never more evident than on the
DJ Premier produced lead single “The Come Up.” Primo’s vintage thumps
provide a hit of nostalgia, as AZ rekindles his mid 90’s hunger with
vivid street imagery with lines like, “Jewels is like hypnosis/its
ferocious, when broke n##### get focused/the cars come out, bottles at
the bar run out
.” Keeping the same vibe is the aptly titled “NewYork” featuring Ghostface and Raekwon. Just as Ja Rule, Jadakiss and
Fat Joe repped for the mainstream with their smash hit, AZ and company
formulate a similar effort for the underground. Over Emile’s haunting
production and DJ Premier’s scratches, AZ, Rae and Ghost take it back
to the glory days of NYC. Similarly, “Street Life,” which features
Half-A-Mil and Begetz, finds AZ in Doe Or Die form, as the
track’s symphonious violins are reminiscent of AZ’s Mafioso sounds of
the past.
While AZ reps hard for the streets for one-half of the album,
the remaining portion of A.W.O.L. features the soulful
production heard on Aziatic. The Heatmakerz deliver their usual
high-pitched soul on “So Sincere” and the conceptual “Never Change.”
The Disco D produced “City Of Gods” finds AZ getting his strut on,
while craving for the finer things in life. But its on the standout
“Can’t Stop” where we get AZ’s best writing, as he depicts the
pitfalls of the streets and certain individuals around him who get
caught up in the life.
Besides the irritating synth keys of “Still Alive,” AZ stays
consistent through the album. Even though many feel he has failed to
tap his full potential over the years, AZ has finally gotten over the
hump with A.W.O.L. While Anthony Cruz has reveled as the
underdog you loved to root for, A.W.O.L. proves he can make an
album with the upper echelon of emcees in this game. And while it may
have taken longer than expected, it seems as if AZ had to get close to
the edge and almost lose himself to finally deliver the album we all
expected.