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...ONE RIFLE PER FAMILY. September 14 2012
...one rifle per family. is great; it’s probably Bambu‘s best work. After I heard it in its entirety (twice), I gave Bam a congratulations and told him just that.
But before you read any further, let me preface this “review” by saying that I don’t normally write music reviews. I’m not a music snob by any means, but I know what I like and I know how shit makes me feel. I’m not about to dissect songs and talk about sound quality. I’m writing this as a fan, as most of you are.
I wasn’t expecting to receive my press copy at the time that I did. I was immersed in work when I got the email. I opened it, downloaded it, and let it play as background noise. But the first track, “Bronze Watch”, already got me to stop and listen. Funny because on that one, Bam actually says, “I’m trying to grab your focus by the eighth bar of the first verse.” And he did just that. As I continued on to the rest of the album, I took notice of the production. It’s the production, in my opinion, that separates ...one rifle per family. from its predecessors.
In true Bambu form, he talks of oppression, education, Los Angeles, Philippines, and family. But amidst his call to organize and his attempt to raise awareness, is actually his own narrative. I somehow found ...one rifle per family. to be more of a personal feat than anything. You get caught up in stories about his mom, his pops, his son. You begin to understand Bam as a dad, a son, a Los Angeleno, an ex-gangster, an ex-marine.
Just as the beginning grabbed my attention, so did the end, with Bambu’s ode to his city called “Where You From”. It’s a real account of what it’s like to live here, which is a topic that has been heavy on my mind. Lately, I’ve been talking with New Yorkers that think we have it easy, that there isn’t struggle here. I call bullshit. Listen to this track. Now let me once again say congratulations to my friend, Bambu. I’m proud of this, and I really hope this isn’t your last one.
Favorites on ...one rifle per family.
-Bronze Watch - produced by B-Roc
-I Beg Of You - produced by Lefty
-Books (featuring Prometheus Brown aka Geologic of Blue Scholars) - produced by MTK
-Golden Era Shower (featuring Dumbfoundead, Drunken Tiger JK, Ruby Ibarra, Gloc9 and Omar Offendum) - produced by Dirty Diggs
-Where You From - produced by OJ
...one rifle per family. officially drops on Tuesday, October 2. The Rent Money Tour kicks off in San Diego, CA on Thursday, October 11.
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