The Heartland Panic: go DJ, go DJ, go DJ!

What’s most noticeable about The Heartland Panic is the music behind the words. DJ Absolute’s production on this album is top-notch. Each track gives you something a little different, from a funky groove on “Clouds In My Head” to a throw back 50s groove on “Think About Me.” There was clearly a vision laid out that lent itself to a fluid collaboration between rappers and producer.


A Def once mentioned that when they started making music together, he and Dirt Dee sounded like the same person. "The Heartland Panic" gives Attn: Def and Dirty distinct voices; in tone, rhyme patterns, and lyrics.

With the classic instrumentation you get the feeling that "The Heartland Panic" should have a dance accompanying it by the same name, much like "The Hustle", "The Jerk", or "The Monster Mash." Everybody do "The Hearthland Panic!" You can’t help but move, or at least strut down the street, when you hear this album.

This is the best way to explain what I felt the first time I listened to this album:






In case you forgot:


Soulcrate Music
The Heartland Panic
In Stores TOMORROW
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.


All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute

All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

On the 12th day of Soulcrate . . .

If you remember nothing of an album you listened to, more often than not you at least remember the last track. In the case of "The Heartland Panic" the last track, "Learn From It," combines a rock guitar and marching band snare to back an empowering lyrical anthem. This is a track that delivers a "grit your teeth and get on with it" message. The hook is one that anyone who has faced a struggle can relate to. "Learn From It" is one to blast on your headphones while holding your head high.



Keep an eye out tomorrow when we post our over-arching thoughts on "The Heartland Panic." In the meantime - get your copy (and other dope ass merch) over at Lethalville. Also - starting on the 19th of March, you can find Soulcrate, along with label master Mac Lethal, and friends of Black Clover - Prof and Akream on tour in a city near you.

The Thirteen Days of Soulcrate: Electric Heavy Glow

On the fourth day of SOULCRATE my headphones gave to me.....

DRUUUUUUUUUMS!

Perhaps I'm partial to a damn good drum beat due to my deep roots in percussion, but this song is off the bloody hook!! (One of my favorite sticking techniques is a dulled, single-stick drum roll on the snare -- which you can hear every other measure of this song). The heavy hovering over the trio of hi-hat, bass & snare, complemented by electric guitar, will set you up for people to look at you sideways when you've got your ear buds in, in public-- First the knee bend, then head nod and the swaying back & forth...


These guys are going pretty hard on this track, spitting some bold lyrics in yo' face! Now, the two have always had a unique style of flow that can essentially be heard throughout most verses in their songs. Its what would allow one to differentiate between them and other artists in a "name that group"-type listener response. But with this song, they tend to step aside from that at moments to branch out and try something new; it certainly works for them. You will feel the glow from the fiery blaze left after the songs time has run out, 'cause this song is FIYAH!


"Oooooooooh"... and by the end of the song, this fairly simple yet fun hook will have you join in unison. If you're trying to jam out, I say go grab the album March 9th and skip to track 4;

"Get set, Ready, GO!!"

Soulcrate Music
The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.

All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute
All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The Thirteen Days of Soulcrate Music: Clouds In My Head

From the beginning of track three the staccato horns, sax riffs, and funk guitar set the pace for the lyrical groove about to follow between Attn: Def and Dirt Dee. The hook soon becomes infections; one you'll find yourself rapping to yourself on the bus long after the album stops playing. This is sure to be a live show regular.


For a great in-studio interview and performance check out these videos our good friend Ron dug up from this summer.









Don't forget (as if we'd let you):

Soulcrate Music

The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.


All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute
All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee


Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The 13 days of Soulcrate: Evil In It

Track two, isn't the typical song I think of when I think if Soulcrate Music. It's a little bit darker, and a little bit louder, but they took it there, and they killed it.

When I think of "The Heartland Panic" this song is just that. It's a soundtrack song, for driving late at night in the bitter cold playing loud. The drums, hit hard, and the bass line is strong. The layered vocals showcase just how A Def and Dirt Dee are a force in making music together.

This is one of those stand out tracks on the album, maybe not the party song or the single. But it has significance, it's that track that talks to you.

Soulcrate Music

The Heartland Panic

In Stores 3/9/2010

Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.

All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute

All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:

Keys-Jonathon Hegg

Trombone-Joel Broveleit

Saxophone-Matt Wallace

Guitar-Xopher Smith

Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The 13 Days of Soulcrate: Let It Shine

- artwork by the lovely Jamee


In anticipation of the new Soulcrate Music release, "The Heartland Panic," we at Lovefest will be posting our thoughts on and reviews of each track. Keep an eye on the site for the next thirteen days, a number appropriate for for the Black Clover family. One track will go up each day with the last day being dedicated to our over arching feelings on the record. We can't wait for you to hear this album and know you'll be just as blown away as we have.

It was no secret we were about to listen to something special when Jeremy Willis asked us to participate in the pre-listening, but when the introduction swelled and and the horns punched, special soon became an understatement. What a way to set the tone, gentlemen. This is one classy and sophisticated album as made apparent from the first track on.

Much like "Cardobard Intro," "Let It Shine" is a track you can see A Def and Dirt Dee making an entrance to. The production by DJ Absolute is musically thoughtful and the band incredibly in sync. This track is a statement as to what's to come, not only with the album but the artistic growth of Soulcrate Music.


And then THIS happened : )




Look for it:


Soulcrate Music
The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.


All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute

All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas