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Eleven tracks featuring Gift of Gab's superb rhyme writing, breath control and musical flow just don't seem like enough, but the amount of content he packs into that small space creates an energy density comparable to NOX, fueling this rocketship all the way to Mars and beyond to distant stars.
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FilterGift Of Gab is assured and even-keeled on Escape 2 Mars--never reaching the intensity of Blackalicious' best work, or descending into the mellow lounge -scapes of "4th Dimensional Rocketships."
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Themes may be revisited, but Escape 2 Mars stills comes across as fresh and meaningful and fun.
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Everything here–like his entire songbook pretty much–is delivered with presence and vigor.
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It’s great fun, and clearly a Bay Area attempt at the big league. Like hip-hop used to sound. Praise be.
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UncutThe MC's focus on Escape 2 Mars is mainly ecological, the music packing ample punch to underline his message. [Feb 2010, p.86]
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Q MagazineVocal harmonies, graceful pianos and psychedelic guitars keep the eco messages of Light Years and Dreamin persuasive rather than preachy, making Escape 2 Mars an impressive throwback to the "daisy age' of early De La Soul. [Feb 2010, p. 107]
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So, backed by melancholic, electronic-tinged production from Dnae Beats, Gab fashions inspired stories out of loquacious speed-raps, ruminating over humanity's foibles. It may not be transporting, but it's still impressively empathetic.
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MojoThis eco-themed, sci-fi clad concept album bristles with electro-pop sounds (Light Years, the OMD-ish title track) yet retains Gab's furrowed-brow lyricism and singular approach as he forges his own space within this changing landscape. [Feb 2010, p. 105]
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Even with Gab’s phonetic prowess and all that time to prepare for launch, Escape 2 Mars doesn’t reach the transcendent heights of its sublime, lushly orchestrated predecessor, ultimately feeling less like an epic interplanetary voyage and more like space camp.
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The hooks themselves are pretty tired throughout. That leaves the weight of each song purely on Gab’s shoulders, and he responds early, but sounds fatigued as the record moves on, and laid-back groove falls into tired rut.