Low-Life | UK Hip Hop Story | Pickpockets - Weather The Storm EP [Temhogen]

Intro

Early Doors:
1979-1985

False Dawn:
1985-1990

Underground Years:
1990-1995

The Renaissance:
1995- 2000

The Future:
2000 & Beyond

Artists &
Discographies

Pickpockets - Weather The Storm EP [Temhogen]

Tracklist:
1. Weather The Storm
2. In The Morning
3. Rok After Dem
4. Green

Not sure if this is the guys first proper release, but I think I heard one of their demos and thought that these guys could be doing good things when they come out properly. Well now they are here with their large 12" about to drop and they have lived up to their potential so far. They have undoubtedly formed their own style with is definitely a funky danceable vibe mixed up with some RnB lyrics and of course the more topic focussed raps.

The group consists of 3 young vocalists from Southampton who throw into the mix the spice of Hip Hop, Soul, Dancehall, and Jazz. These influences combined with some serious song writing talent is The Pickpockets and it is good stuff. All the press is on the bandwagon and is calling them the next big Urban thing. The band say all the right things though and when questioned about their pigeon holing they say they are not the latest MC from the dark side of town. Not the next anyone. Just themselves. They describe their music as ‘Souflul Hip Hop Influenced good music.’

The A Side features two straight up solid tracks. Weather The Storm starts off with some storm and rain sounds to which a lovely piano and synth loop is added which fades into the track. The now standard Hip Hop beat is caressed by the synth wash and the continuous repetitive piano note. The raps use the bad weather as a metaphor for surviving in life generally. There is a message for the adults and also simply broken down for the kids. The choruses feature some soulful home-grown singing which fits right into the track which is a good thing as so often sung hooks can seem out of place. All in its a full track, everything is in here and the song title is cut up towards the outro which takes us back to the rain sounds where we came in.

In The Morning initially details how the MCs feel as they wake up to a good day when everything feels like it is going to go well. The first two verses are this way, but the third verse is from the lazy MC who wakes up late and is having quite a different experience to the others as he punches his alarm clock and rushes. Not too deep at all, but it is a nice description of what a particular morning could go like. Again the hook is soulfully delivered their The production is again fat, but much sparser this time around. An organ is flipped and effected and with the bass makes for an addictive track.

The flip opens with a much more hyper and further up tempo track. Rok After Dem which is very much in the mould first cast by Fallacy and the like, a fully synthed out electronic sound sits nicely next to stabs a staccato snare pattern and a heavy throbbing bass which occasionally distorts in a Drum & Bass effect. Rowdy and aggy this is their club track and I see no reason why this shouldn't have dance floors rammed like Adam F did a couple of years back.

The final track opens with Kermit the from smoking a bong and offering to tell us about the colour Green. As you could guess it is a funny track boasting the benefits of smoking a bit of Parsley. The production is back to the samples, is somewhat skittish and the guitar lollops along in a semi stoned way. The first verse eloquently extols the weeds virtues and how it can be good in many medical ways. The second verse moves on to some of the less palatable effects that can set in when you are particularly stoned.

To round up then, this is an appealing initial foray into the music business and like so many acts The Pickpockets have started off their careers the right way. It is a professional product and perhaps their collective experience is showing up in the high calibre of the media that is pushing them. Lets hope that this experience can help them progress that little bit further than the previous acts that fell after promising starts. Clear out the winter cobwebs, think back to the summer. Sunshine, BBQ’s out doors, festivals, great live music and good vibes. This is what the Pickpockets invoke.

Be Aware there are Pickpockets operating in this area!

Pickpockets Profile :: Temhogen Discography
Visit Temhogen on the web: http://www.temhogen.com
Email Temhogen: mailto:[email protected]