Artist: Louis Logic & J.J. BrownTitle: Misery Loves ComedyRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Dr. Zero
It is rare for an album to be balanced. Most of the time, an artist will focus heavily on one element and neglect the other. For example, stellar sounds are sabotaged by bland lyricism. Or, top-notch verses are foiled uninspired tunes. Musical equilibrium is only achieved when the music and lyrics blend together in perfect harmony instead of sounding lopsided. Louis Logic and J.J. Brown’s Misery Loves Comedy (Fat Beats) exhibits plenty moments of symmetry between the rhymes and melodies.
The strength of this album lies in its impeccable production. The beats exhibit so much depth and creativity that it will cause fans to continue to hit the repeat button based on the music alone. The authentic bass lines mixed with the guitar, medium-pitched piano keys and other live instruments will give listeners a stimulating, mind-blowing musical experience. One example of this beautiful mix is “New Leaf” which features bass guitar strings over a soulful base sound that will keep heads nodding. Another wonderfully produced track is “Captain El Wino”. This beat featurs classic scratch elements over a low bass line and brass instruments that yield to an uplifting beat that has the potential to be a sleeper club hit minus the expletives. Logic’s smooth, soothing flow and nonchalant voice compliments the intoxicating, addictive rhythms.
Logic will impress fans with his diverse subject matter, storytelling skills and lyrics. He talks about what will happen if his boy ever messed with his girl on “The Line”, how women are known cheaters on “All Girls Cheat” and life in general’s trials and tribulations on Misery Loves Comedy. The problem with the album is that it’s too short. Just when a listener may be getting into Logic, it is over. There is no sense of true closure. Aside from that, some of the topics were overdone (see “All Girls Cheat”). Minus its shortcomings, Misery Loves Comedy proves the jokes on those who think indie rappers can’t find a happy medium of expression.