By Cory Zechmann | September 22nd, 2010
How the hell does a group stay this strong for so long, no less in hip-hop? Slug and Ant have been together for a good 17 years, and I love ‘em more than ever.
In their latest album, To All My Friends, Blood Makes The Blade Holy: The Atmosphere EPs, Ant takes on a few different styles. Songs range from a laid-back country vibe to a more classic Atmo sound. But no matter the beat, Slug lays down some sentimental shit… for the most part.
I talked about “To All My Friends,” the first single released off the EP, when it dropped last month, but now we’ve got a full 12-track album to get through. In a couple songs, including “To All My Friends,” Slug takes some time to reflect in maturity and show that contemplation we’ve grown to love with him.
Then you take a song like “The Number None,” which may not be all that sentimental, but sure packs that Sean Daley wit. The rest of the songs lie somewhere between the two with a handful of keepers.
However they do it, they do it well. I can never complain with anything Atmosphere puts out, and I always come out with something new to add to the collection. They expand their style with every song, which is what makes them legends among many envious rap stars.