Baptism of Fire - Choong Family - Review/ My Thoughts

It's been a long time coming, cliché but adequate.
Baptism of Fire has been eagerly anticipated by Choong fans for years. (Out on downloads 25th May 09)

I received my promo copy through the post last week (Thanks to Kay at Manilla PR) and have been listening to it on and off during, in fact I'm listening to it while writing this post.

Overall, superb, well worth the wait and if this is only the pre album, I am expecting some pretty amazing things from the next studio album.

I have never reviewed a whole album before, merely songs that I liked so much I wanted to write a little bit about, so bear with me.

Track 1. - Baptism of Fire
This track sets the mood for the whole album in my opinion, although you don't realise it. It is the fixture of great beats, implementing both a serious and laid back tones to give a hint of what you can expect from the rest of the album.
Rating : 8/10

Track 2. Adrenalin Feat. Pyro
I'm sure any Choong fan and otherwise will be familiar with this track. I has received great airplay and with reason. It is a fast paced track which really gets your Adrenalin going. This is actually one of my favourite gym tracks.
Rating: 10/10

Track 3. Lies
This is probably my least favourite song on the album. On a first listen I though this had potential. However after a while it becomes grating and repetitive and the high pitch "lies" doesn't work for me. Conceptually it is a good track with good lyrics which identify with the target audience but it just doesn't appeal to me. Rating 5/10.

Track 4. Spray Feat. Pyro
Spray is being dubbed a club banger by the PR release which accompanied the promo. Living in Scotland I can't testify to this. But it is definitely very catchy and I find myself nodding away and tapping my feet. The track is just as suited to your drink and your two step as to some Bboy. Definitely a banger.
Rating: 9/10

Track 5. Role Wit Heat
This is mos def my favourite track off the album, and not only for the baby voices at the start which bring a smile to my lips every time. The track brings back some old school with enough heat and stunt to be a modern classic. This was the track which made be realise how much I like Nutz P's rap style and how the Fam's different styles still works so well together.
Rating 10/10

Of course a music post would not be complete without at least one playable track and Role Wit Heat it has to be:




Track 6. Solitude Feat. Mike GLC
Solitude is the definitive track of the album. Great lyrics, Great Chorus, Great Beats, Great everything. The perfect song to show the diversity of the Fam and their strengths.
Rating 10/10

Track 7. Goodbye Gin Feat. Hannah
Chilled start with the high pitched intro working well. Again a track showing the great mixture you can expect from the fam.
Easy listening and while not spectacular, is well arranged before plunging you into Skank Music.
Rating 8/10

Track 8. Skank Music Feat Truth & Pyro
Another club banger. Skank music is one of those songs you cannot get out of your head but is worse because if you do manage it it pops back in - I mind myself going Skank Music, Skank Music .... Get into it at the most random times.

I am liking the outros coming in with some tracks.
Rating 8/10

Track 9. Big City Niggaz
Big City Niggaz is another track which has had some play. This track just works. No other way to describe it.
Rating 9/10

Track 10. Family Tree Feat Truth & Pyro
Another favourite track. I like the beats but mostly its the several rap elements and lyrics.
Rating 8/10

Track 11. San Andreas
Love the beats and lyrics on this one. Another track you can just lay back and listen, just let it flow and lose yourself.
Rating 9/10

Track 12. Take A Look
Continuing with the laid back, easy listening theme.
Like the lyrics, not spectacular but real nice song.
Rating 8/10

Track 13. It’s Nothing
Nice beats and lyrics. More of the same class. Love the Nutz P outro.
Rating 8/10

Track 14. Silverspoon Feat. Unorthodox
Probably my second most favourite track. Very catchy chorus and beats. Very uplifting tune.
Rating 10/10

Track 15. Translating My Hardship
Big change from Silverspoon, putting you back to a mellow but continuing a slight theme lyrically.
Rating 7/10

16. Paraphernalia Feat Truth & Elizabeth Williams
Chilled out and mellow. Putting you in a more mellow/sad mood, conceptually nice lyrics and featured vocals from Elizabeth Williams.
Rating 8/10

17. Adrenaline Remix Feat. Coldboy, Wretch 32, Scorcher, Pyro, Ghetto, Silva, No Lay, Y Don, G-Kid, Devlin
So many big names on the Remix of Adrenalin and the track does not disappoint but I still prefer the original. So many featured artists make this track very busy and in my opinion loses the power behind the original.
Rating 8/10

Overall an excellent comback from the Fam.
The album as a whole is definitely worth a buy as it showcases the talent and diversity of the Fam perfectly.

Baptism of Fire
Pre Album
Out May 25th 09
Available from all major download sites

Phoenix Rising
Album Out Autumn 09

On Gridlokaz

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