Localized Music: The 1900s' Medium High, Phillip Morris' The Process Of Addiction Has Its Costs
By perfectly hitting the orch-pop sweet spot between Fleetwood Mac and Belle And Sebastian, Chicago septet The 1900s has turned multi-personal relationship drama into melodious gold. While in the midst of recording its sophomore full-length, the group has issued Medium High, a seven-song EP that contains new recordings, previously issued singles, newly re-recorded songs from the group’s early days, and rearranged tracks from its debut full-length, 2007’s Cold And Kind. As such, Medium High can’t help but be not quite as satisfying as an entirely new album would be.
The 1900s playing "Two Ways" from Cold And Kind on WGN.
Phillip MorrisPhillip Morris, The Process Of Addiction Has Its Costs
With song titles like “Death By Cubicle,” it’s easy to accuse Chicago MC Phillip Morris of having a heavy-handed approach to social issues. But the didacticism of his newest album, The Process Of Addiction Has Its Costs, also comes with well-produced beats and occasionally trenchant insights. In short, Costs has just enough of those qualities to make for a respectable listen.
Because of Morris’ personable flow, and the brisk, minimalist production, Costs moves along at a nice clip, despite its familiar political tropes. “May I” flirts with dubstep to haunting effect, while the anthemic soul of “It Comes Right Back” and “Peace In The Puzzle” should please fans of the Rhymesayers collective.
But all good streaks eventually come to end, and Costs’ lowest point is quickly reached with “The M.I.L.F. Song” and “Chillin’ Out Maxin’,” both of which delve into party-rap clichés that Morris decries on previous songs. Luckily, Costs recovers by delivering Boondocks-esque satire (“Die For The Music”) and jazz-heavy think-pieces (“Political Science”). Grade: B-
"Mr. Morris" from Phillip Morris' previous album, Instrumentality
