Swollen Members

Romancing the elements of nature, the witching-hour lyricism of Swollen Members (Mad Child and Prevail) delves deeply into topics that have yet to be captured or pontificated on wax. SM are shaman-like oddities in this game, and judging from their topic matter alone, they would seem to fit in more at a Renaissance festival than in hip-hop's machismo-filled atmosphere. Prevail and Mad Child divulge their cloak-and-dagger lyrics in a highly animated manner on Balance, and their chemistry is very developed for a group embarking on their freshman effort. Western guitar riffs and staccato hi hats augment the duo's mental gymnastics on "Out of Range," and the Alchemist leads a one-man symphony on the possessed "Horrified Nights." Swollen Members enlist a stellar supporting cast throughout, with Dilated Peoples ("Counterparts"), Evidence ("Bottle Rocket"), Everlast, Divine Styler, and Del tha Funkee Homosapien's Hieroglyphics ambience, prevalent on "Left Field" with Unicorn. The witch doctors of hip-hop are definitely at the forefront of developing a new style, and after listening to Swollen Members' debut, your view of hip-hop may never be the same. [This is the instrumental version of the album.] ~ Matt Conaway, All Music Guide