Torae- Daily Conversation

By: Matt Kelly

((1.25.2008))

When I think of daily conversation I think of talking about the weather. Friendly, amicable stuff, but not exactly gripping. And so it goes with Torae at first, appearing to be a pleasing but unspectacular MC. Nice as daily chit-chat is, many hip-hop fans would rather hear something more visceral and may find Torae a snooze. But the more patient know there's a subtle art to fine conversation. With skillful choice of words it goes beyond time-killing and becomes interesting and rich- but you have to pay attention and stop waiting for pyrotechnics that aren't going to come. This is the key to enjoying Torae who after repeated listens I found was not so much dull as he is unflashy, a style he makes work. And Torae's on that rap shit- there's no singing anywhere on the album.

The weak opening to the album may explain my initial unfavorable impression- the Intro has an OK beat but am I the only one sick of hearing rappers' voicemail? Yeah you got a message from Pete Rock, great, but funnily enough I'd rather hear a beat from him. And the first three proper songs- well none of them are garbage or anything, but the production on "Callin' Me" doesn't work and "Something To See" seems like a misjudged attempt at aping Fifty Cent's sound. "The Journey," which explains how hard Torae found it to get this debut album together, is interesting for peeping into the music industry but it lacks any real musical hooks.

Fortunately the album wakes up on track five and from there on it's relatively smooth sailing. Incidentally that fifth track, "Click," comes from DJ Premier. Torae and Skyzoo rhyme nicely away over Premier's striking horns making for a fine show of East Coast skills. The same trio comes back for more with "Get It Done," which is less catchy but still solid. By the way, Skyzoo's fanbase might want to check this record as he makes four appearances altogether.

There are quite a few guests, including two posse tracks, both of which are good and show Torae works well in a group. "Fantaztik" with Skyzoo, Chaundon and Kil Ripkin is straight quality, a pounding beat matched to the dramatic string notes which gives them some real thump. "CME The Entity" with Skyzoo (I told you), Yatta Barz and Zeqway is another winner with vintage keybaords giving the track atmosphere over the booming drums.

As for subject matter, Torae and friends spend most of the time on the "Rappers is wack but not me" tip. They do it well, with good points and punchlines. Though "I'm here to save rap" is a pretty played out subject, it still works when done over hot production like the rock influenced "Get It Going":

"Fuck a record deal for real
The ill niggas with all the skill
Is holding out till they start to reveal
How a nigga ringtone sell a couple of mill
With his LP stuck on the shelves
That there should tell, you the music you bumping is stale
Niggas need some new blood like they're Dracula's kills"
- Get It Goin'

He does switch to other topics for a few successful box-tickers though. Torae proves surpisingly apt at talking tough alongside Teflon on the huge, stomping "Think About It." There's the grimy, hilarious party talk on "Da Nigguz Is Comin'" with Tash. And he also gets personal, bringing his daughter Tayler in on the hook for a touching tribute to her called "Tayler Made."

I'm clearly not the only one who found Torae a little boring on first impression as he has a whole track devoted to refuting this. "Switch" proves amusing as Torae exaggeratedly changes his flow up every few bars to mock various mic styles. It works as comedy but the awkward stop-start nature of the track means it's not so great taken purely as a song. Daily Conversation has its flaws- closing with "I'll whip your ass" track "Casualty" is a real non sequitir for what's mostly a positive album- but it's pretty decent nevertheless.

If you want an artist who drops jaws to the floor, Torae may not be your cup of tea- he asks for your attention rather than just taking it. For those of a more chilled disposition however, Daily Conversation is a decent soundtrack for the daily.

Favorite Tracks: Click, Fantaztik, Get it Going