Typically, when artists decide to combine forces like Captain Planet and the gang, the project usually sounds like two people brought two different visions. It either sounds like they combined solo songs or featured each other on their own tracks.  Fortunately for us, that’s not the case with this offering from D-Maub and Eric Cross.

The album starts with what some would come to expect from D-Maub. This beat, produced by Kriss Liss, sounds like it was made with Maub in mind.  Honestly, Maub’s music sounds different and I must admit that I’m not always a fan of his sound.  That’s not to say he doesn't go hard lyrically but sometimes his beats are a little eclectic.  With beats like these, there has to be an element that connects the listener to the music and that’s hard to achieve.  That’s the case with the intro.  

However, the second track, the Epik produced “I’m A Problem”, combines eclectic synthetic sounds with banging southern 808 style drums.  I can totally see listeners banging this one in the whip.  From here, the production just get’s better.  I believe each listener will be surprised to know that D-Maub actually mixed and mastered each song on this album.  When you hear it you’ll be thinking what I was thinking:  "Maub…How much do you charge??!!".  In short, this album sounds really good.  I was actually impressed by the different mixing techniques I could hear coming through in the vocals and the music.  You can feel confident playing this for anyone at any event.  The quality is professional grade and The Creatures obviously took their time with this one.

“Take Control” produced by Superstar will immediately stand out to anyone with a soul.  I would love to hear more music like this in our genre-  live sounding drums keep you bobbin' your head.  Beautiful strings and a Rhodes piano come together over a wonderful bass-line.  Combine this with a synth lead that will have you playing this song for your parents and saying, “See Pops, we got soul music too!”

Lyrically, Cross and Maub do their thing.  Each track is strong lyrically and has really good hooks.  If you’re not familiar with Cross you will be very soon.  He holds his own next to an MC, in Maub, that many consider one of the best in the game.  I honestly felt there were no weak links on this album.  That’s another problem duos have, one is usually much better than the other,  that’s not the case here.  Cross brings his own style that provides a good mix of speed and great delivery.  Both bring the correct energy to each beat which is a skill overlooked by many.  

There are many really good songs on this album but when you have P-Dub on the hook, it’s hard to top that.  He’s quickly becoming the must have male vocalist on your project.  His hook on the Epik produced “What’s It Gonna Be?” is absolutely infectious.  This stand out track also has one of the standout quotables of the album delivered by Maub: “To me life was like a doobie, either you roll it up or you getting’ smoked up, you either breakin’ cats or you gettin’ broke up, that’s what the homies taught me, how to keep my focus and stay flossy and generate bucks like Milwaukee, get off me!!!”

On the Kriss Liss and Epik produced “Images” you get a strong admonishment about what we allow ourselves to look upon.  The hook is smooth and the beat is amazingly cool.  I’d call for more music like this from the duo.  The message is great but the music is what’s going to get this song on my ipod.  “Images” sounds like a setup song for the A-1 produced “Pobody’s Nerfect” (no typo).  You get to see a side of Maub and Cross many would never bare.  They express their battles with pornography and their acknowledgement that the images we are exposed to daily do more damage to the inner man than we can ever imagine.  Every man will relate to just about every word said in this song.  You’ll enjoy a great hook and revealing, truthful lyrics by both MCs on this offering.  Songs like this remind me of why I love CHH.  Only here can we tell the truth about our struggles and weaknesses and are seen as strong.

If you were waiting to hear how Cross would sound solo then you get your wish on the Inspired Producers created “Right Now”.  The beat goes hard and Cross stands out as an MC that shows he has what it takes to carry a track.  Moreover, it is apparent that The Creatures strategically chose their features.  Pettidee stops by on the Johnny Juliano produced Southern Banger “Let It Burn”.  This is a performance track and will get any party crunk immediately.  Pettidee tears a hole in this one and holds down the honored last verse on the track very well (You all do know about the last verse rule right?).

Overall, this album is really good.  The production is dope on most songs.  There are some songs that aren’t as strong as others.  The album flows well but there’s a noticeable difference in the mood of the songs that came from the heart of the artists and the songs they seemed to make to add commercial appeal like “The Light” and “Thank You”.  Also, the first three songs sound a lot alike.  Due to this, track number four is where the album really gets started for me.   The strengths of this album far outweigh its weaknesses and we should all be looking forward to a second offering from this dynamic duo.

Categorical Ratings Background:

Originality/Creativity: 3.5/5
Lyrics: 4.5/5
Delivery: 4.5/5
Beat Selection/Production: 4/5
Concept/Arrangement: 4/5

iTunes | Amazon