By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Let me tell ya’ bout a crew I know, they love hip hop and rock and roll; Citizen Cope, government name, Clarence Greenwood (and co.), whose 5th release, The Rainwater LP, showcases a title of “musical mythologists”. The tracks aren’t about bullshit, but about real life, and situations we all encounter. Lifeline seems to sum Cope’s poison and its antidote stating “If you come looking for a hard time, hard times ain’t hard to find”; sad, eccentric, and exceedingly listenable.

What’s so good? Using sluggish hip-hop beats with mellow piano melodies; the music then blends into new-school blues with smooth as butter pop. He fights the battle to stay pure, and that is why they are respected lyrically. I was surprised to hear they passed up a major record label and decided to launch independently for this record. I Couldn’t Explain Why pours a meticulous explanation for the bold move; “The message that I have been given, could have us drown, in the river, still I gotta deliver it”. Even without a stamp, their message will always get delivered.

Dodging the big bucks for an independent release; that’s something us indie buffs commend, correct? Hey, maybe more major-label denizens should consider busting off their chains and going the indie route…zing.

Be sure to throw Citizen Cope into your indie shuffle, and don’t be surprised if you put the beat on repeat.

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