Cool Kids go through motions on new mixtape, fall flat

By Alexa Schlosser

Created:
05/31/09 4:02pm

Last updated:
05/31/09 4:02pm

4 comments

Rap duo The Cool Kids have finally stepped up to the mic in the musically rich 2009 and given the Internet an uncharacteristically long mixtape, “Gone Fishing.” Produced by Don Cannon of “Gangsta Grillz” fame (please remember that Lil’ Wayne track) and including the annoying interruptions of “cannon!” and excessive echoed yelling reminiscent of no-talent DJs on bootlegged MP3s, the mixtape is pretty whatever.

The beats are out of place here. Instead of the clean sound of the 808 mixed with the goofiness of the Kids’ normal retro style, we get tinny, powerless beats you couldn’t ever imagine bumpin’ to and surprisingly subdued stuntin’. Add this to the boys seemingly sounding like they just woke up and are already bored with the day, and you’ve got a ton of weak tracks.

The filled-with-flyness lyrics that have come to be expected from The Cool Kids are slightly diminished on “Gone Fishing.” Chuck Inglish tries (and fails) to rhyme “this” with “first” in “Champions,” and most lines easily could be substituted into a different song without anyone noticing. But the lines are usually going to be interchangeable with Cool Kids content. They’re cool, and they know it, but it sounds as if they’re going through the motions in explaining their dopeness this time. They sound like some dudes posing as Chuck and Mikey, caring a little too much how much hip stuff they can fit into a song. “Gold Links” exaggerates a Cool Kids cliché that these boys love gold chains. We get it. If you’re gonna make a song about how much you like gold, even though you kind of already did with “Gold and a Pager,” you better come hard. Saying you’re “back on that gold chain s—-” just tells me that you’re rapping about exactly what you’re rapping about. You guys are clearly back on that gold chain s—-. Even though I didn’t think you left.

“Gone Fishing” is weary and indifferent throughout, but a couple of tracks do work. “The Last Stretch feat. Jahda” is just the right amount of sexy and laid-back. And “Pennies (The Updated Rosters Remix)” is where it’s at, especially with verses by Ludacris and Bun B. (Even though Luda unknowingly calls out the mixtape for what it is when he’s all “bass and treble good/need a lil’ meat on it.”) The “Wall Street” and Wimbledon references in ending track “Knocked Down” try to win me over pretty admirably, so it’s worth a mention. But really, that’s about it.

Without Don Cannon and his constant blabbering about being “First Team All-State” — which is just a weirdly specific sports reference to be throwing out all the time — the mixtape would have more replay value. But as a precursor to a hopefully simpler and uncluttered album release later this year, “Gone Fishing” isn’t to be hated on too hard. Except for that GLC interlude. What the hell.

Get “Gone Fishing” here

Lil’ Wayne’s “Cannon”

Commentary

Add your $0.02, go to the comment form or follow the comment feed

Macklin

(05/31/09 4:59pm)
Report

Alexa, can you write all the blogs from now on? Except maybe Man About Town.

Liz Kersjes

(05/31/09 7:28pm)
Report

Is this edgy? I can’t tell.

Matt Flint

(05/31/09 9:44pm)
Report

This blog is real. Real dope.

Yevgeniy Gevorkyan

(06/02/09 7:31pm)
Report

SOO even though my other comment didn’t go through I’ll try again.

Anyway, I did enjoy this mixtape, the content wasn’t to par from what the Kids usually come with but the listening value (minus “THE CANNON!!!!” and whack ass first team all state references) was pretty hot. I’ve always been a beat junkie and joints like Hammer Bros and Champions kept me bangin my head like there were hammers in my hat. that Art of Noise interlude brought me back to the world has too many freaks and how I used to steal my brother’s CDs all the time just to get a taste of what would become my 1st and only love (besides lacrosse of course). so overall its like a high 3 or a low 4 out of 5 for me. would definitely be more better with less cannon but when ever you pick up anything with him on there you know what to expect, same with any mixtape DJ now a days.

About Fresh Detective

Copy chief Alexa Schlosser writes about what’s new and interesting in the world of music, movies, fashion and pop culture in her blog Fresh Detective.

Follow this blog in your feed reader

FEATURED CLASSIFIEDS: More classifieds »

In Employment:

In Apts. For Rent:

FALL/SUMMER 1-2 bdrm apt.

In Services:

SEND VOCALISTS to your Valentine.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:More reprints »

A firework display shimmers and shines above Cooley Law School Stadium Sunday night after the Lansing ...
Florence Welch, lead singer of London-based indie group Florence and the Machine, throws up a sign of ...
As deconstruction of the MSC smokestack continues, bricks pile up at the foot of the once iconic MSU ...
Paige Triezenberg, a global and area studies senior, uses a small trowel to clear dirt around an animal ...
Bournville, England resident Trevor Workman plays the carillon for the first Muelder Summer Carillon ...