Saul Williams - Saul Williams

Genre rap Publisher Fader Label External Links Saul Williams

Saul William's self-titled release is one of the most intriguing, versatile, and experimental releases of 2004 - despite Williams' complete lack of vocal rhythm and tonal range. Perhaps the reason this release is so intriguing is because there aren't that many slam poets releasing albums, or perhaps because Williams' lyrics contain so many metaphors and allusions to political, economic, and racial conditions. The musical backing to his preaching is equally intense as to the words pouring out of his mouth. Synthesizers, rock grooves, and minor piano arpeggios combine with vocals and music written by a variety of musical guests.

The best lines in the first few tracks connect everything from the white takeover of hip-hop ("I gave hip hop to the white boys when nobody was looking / They found it locked in a basement when they gentrified Brooklyn / White boys listen to white boys / Black boys listen to black boys / This is a call out to all the youth in the ghettos"), to the current blunders in Iraq ("Not scared of the truth but just scared of the length you'll go to fight it / It's just a coincidence oil men would wage war on an oil rich land / And this one goes out to my man / Taking cover in the trenches with a gun in his hand / Then gets home and no one flinches when he can't feed his fam…"). These songs take their musical styles from early 90's political rap with rock grooves and dissonant piano melodies. Think NWA/Public Enemy meets Zach de la Rocha and Ikey Owens, as they are both guests on certain tracks.

Sadly, Williams' album grows old by the first half. The music becomes a bit repetitive and cliched, even painful in parts, though his lyrics remain profound. Break beats, vocals by Mia Doi Todd and airy, ambient music fill the rest of the album. Williams either needs to find a producer who can shape his non-rhythmic vocals, or the producers need to realize that the backing music has to be catchy as Williams' voice. All the lyrics contain wonderful senses of imagery, symbolism, and meaning in simple sentences. The artwork on the CD booklet shows Williams driving in a car with a bullhorn as if he's preaching to the public; when in reality, he's simply preaching to the choir here.

Slam poetry fans should have much to adore with this album, while those who aren't familiar with or into the slam poetry scene may be turned away by the progressive concepts found inside. One thing you can say about Saul Williams' music, is that is in a unique style. To many, the music and vocals may be too experimental, which in an MTV America isn't the most popular way of doing things. Williams may not have the chance to ascend to the heights of which he aspires to if he continues on this path.