------------Tech N9ne's 3rd cd, "Anghellic" is a trip through the various stages of the afterlife. COming straight out of the Midwest, N9ne's combination of lyrics and delivery make Kansas City's heart beat. This cd has a total of 22 tracks with 75 minutes of songs. There are 6 very short skits, some of them being intros to the songs that follow. That being said, N9ne introduces the three possibilities of afterlife, and his life right now, as he sees it: Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. With a variety of people behind the tables, the beats are dominated by Don Juan's uniqueness. This gives a variety of styles, most of which compliment Tech's even more unique delivery. WHen I bought this, I hardly had an idea of what I was getting into.
___Starting up with a short skit introducing Hell, the cd already has a sinister feel even before the first song, "Tormented", comes on. On that track, N9ne chops it up solo over a solid beat that experiments with choir sounds and symbols. The rapping keeps switching from a deeper voice to N9ne's, with religious and street themes setting the tone for the next few songs. Next up is a "song" that is more of a free style, something I didn't really care for. It's called "Stamina" and it has been on another of N9ne's cds, and it is him rapping over a beat consisting exclusively of a gun going off. It shows of his style of tongue-twsiting, but being only 14 seconds long, it could have easily been left off the cd without much loss. Next up is "Sinister Tech", which has a unique beat that really matches well with the delivery presented. It is one of the definitive sounds of Tech N9ne, with talking that sounds like robots and a steady beat that serves as a base for N9ne to go off of. After this song is the skit "Psycho Messages" which is an intro to "Psycho Bitch". The former sets up the scenario for the lyrics in the latter, which is about psycho bitches who don't stop fucking around with N9ne. I'll probably say this about a few more songs, but this is really one of the better beats on the cd. The chorus once again shows off the fast raps of N9ne, along with lyrical interaction with a deeper, more sinister voice. A few songs later, the Hell part of the cd finishes off with "Suicide Letters", in which we see a more sensitive and pensive Tech N9ne. He explains how he wrote 2 suicide letters when he was feeling depressed and how he will rap them. And rap them he does, over a beat that is on par with the overall quality of the others, even though it is on the slow side.
___Purgatory starts off with a short intro of the same name, quickly followed by what may be the best known song of the cd, "It's Alive". The delivery is classic N9ne, with tongue-twisting sections and other parts where he uses effects like repeating the first part of a few words to create sort of a reverse-echo effect, not to mention straight up backwards rapping, where the beat is also reversed. The dynamic nature of this beat lets Tech N9ne switch up rapping styles, which creates a songs that shows various versions of the N9ne we have come to know. Next up N9ne mixes things up with "Einstein", that would be at home in the cd player of any club or party. The fast pace compliments the ability of N9ne to keep up with any fast beat thrown his way. A song later, on "Here I Come", "Fur Elise" is used as the mini-intro, as N9ne raps over that. When the actual beat kicks in, it is another fast-paced song with a catchy sound effect in the back, which, when combined with smooth flows, create one of the best songs of the cd. "Who You Came To See" is next and it might have the best beat of all. The lyrics are what are to be expected and the verses are hot, but the chorus keeps repeating "Tech N9ne" with a choir type of sound. If not for that, this would be the best song on the cd as well. Purgatory continues with three songs that could easily be developed into cds of their own (as fas as styles of lyrics, delivery, and beats).
"This Ring" shows Tech N9ne's ability to rap almost incomprehendsibly fast over a slower beat while talking about loyalty and family. "God Complex" features once again the incredible chemistry of Don Juan and Tech N9ne. A slower song with a warning to people who would challenge N9ne, the flows are as variating as they are captivating. The title song of "This Life (Anghellic)" features Majestic Measures production that has a steady bassline and a few intruments that stay in your head after the song is over. While the song is going on, these compliment the other rappers as well as N9ne. Purgatory ends on a weaker note when compared to the rest of the cd. On "Going Bad", the beat is not the right speed: if faster, N9ne could keep up a fast pace of lyrics; slower, he could pick his own pace to give the song a paradoxical effect. However, the beat is of a mediocre pace, even though he tries to keep the flows up to par. This song also doesnt work because there is a significant amount of talking by some women, either Lecoya LeJeune or Charmelle Confield, that really dont add anything to raise the quality of this song.
___Finally in Heaven, the cd moves to what could easily be the best song of the cd, depending on the mood. After 20 songs and skits of Hell and Purgatory, Heaven's intro is a dedication to the departed Roger Troutman. The single whole song in Heaven is called "Twisted" and what a song it is. It's lyrics specifically show how mature N9ne really is, using abstract concepts to illustrate his points. Different alliterations in order to make the flows as smooth as possible work because the content is not limited by anything. N9ne speaks on anything and everything he wanted to on this song, from Ramadan to his state of mind to the Necronamicon to No Limit. The chorus is a collaboration of Nichia Cayson's & Roger Troutman's vocals and Don Juan's incredibly intoxicating bassline and foreground tempo-keepers. This 6 minute ballad is definitely one of the best songs on the cd, not to mention the reason a few people have bought this cd.
___All in all, Tech N9ne's latest opus, "Anghellic", exhibits all of his styles in high fashion. From slow to fast to tongue-twisting to thoughtful, every part of Aaron Yates' psyche seems to be covered on one or more songs. He mentions his wife (wifey) and how he transforms from Aaron to N9ne when he feels it is necessary. The beats are consistently entertaining and succintly capture what could be the next big sound coming out of the Midwest. The reason why N9ne is legendary is clearly shown here where he balances the fast and the slow songs and injects his fast raps along with complicated lyrics. The difference is that he makes it work and seem easy. Thanks also to great producers, there is even more reason that "Anghellic" is easily one of the top three cds this year (2001). Distributed at all Wherehouse Music stores, this cd should be able to reach every part of the country, as it is also distributed by Interscope/Universal, and it is also affiliated JCOR Entertainment (same people that distribute Siccmade now) and it has a big name associated with it (Quincy Jones III). Don't pass this Tech N9ne cd up, as it is sure to be appreciated.
