"Outer Space".... how to speak about this song in language that mere mortals can understand? Definitely an interesting start to the album, as it starts with a skit of what sounds like Yelawolf rolling up somewhere in a truck (apparently somewhere out in the middle of nowhere), and being abducted by... someone. Does this mean Yelawolf is rapping about being abducted? Could this mean that Yelawolf is otherworldly and the only ones able to keep up are legit aliens? You could assume both of these (whatever floats your boat), but some fast-paced and funky production are backed by some sweet ending vocals from Yela on this intro. Yelawolf claims "I'm not out of place, I'm from outer space" on this one, and it's hard to argue.
Being an Alabama native was going to make for some real southern-influenced music on his second LP, and "Change" is a track that mirrors this perfectly. Losing your way and having to find it all over again is something many people are too familiar with, and "Change" is a song that puts this feeling into such relatable perspective for many people, black or white. From my point of view, listening to "Change" made Yelawolf relatable to me, and if I weren't a fan before, this track certainly peaked my interest.
"American You" is another track that spoke to me on a personal level, mostly because this one attacks the every day lives of average American citizens, aka "American You." Talks of going to church, getting tattoos and even getting married, Yelawolf sums up the American life style today so well with this track, and the hook singing "fuck you too" in such a polite way also sums up the passive aggressive lives of Americans' who couldn't really do what they wanted to with their lives. This song really makes you think about working hard, taking the chances you get and not wasting them for sure. All around great message from Yelawolf once you get past the every day negative mindset that we Americans so often perceive.
I already did a post mentioning "Til It's Gone" way back when it was featured in one of the season finales for "Sons Of Anarchy", and it certainly fits well when you think of the losses and circumstances you have to deal with being in a biker gang like the Sons. I've never seen "Sons Of Anarchy", but "Til It's Gone" even seems like it could fit the bill of "Breaking Bad" when it was still running, with all of the losses and circumstances old Heisenberg himself had to deal with, although I like the western vibe "Til It's Gone" gives you when you first hear it, definitely not a song you first think of when you think rap or hip hop, job well done pushing the boundaries by Yelawolf on that one.
Then comes "Devil In My Veins." This song is not just one that comes and goes based on popular opinion, no "Devil In My Veins" is not a song you play once and understand what Yelawolf is talking about, "Devil In My Veins" is the song that shows Yelawolf finding his very unique sound not just as a rapper, but as an artist (because this song could very easily classify as some old rock or country music). "Devil In My Veins" is that song that you hear that sounds so familiar, yet you can't quite place your finger on what it sounds like, maybe not because it sounds familiar, but because it sounds too good to not have something like it made before. It's too hard to tell whether Yela is venting about the industry or the bottle based on his deep songwriting in this song, I'll leave it to the peeps to try and understand what this one's really about. Bottom line: "Devil In My Veins" is a highlight of this album and is more than just hip hop; it's great music.
"Best Friend" is another highlight of the album, and not just because of the crazy Eminem feature, but because the concept behind it is an interesting way to think about what Yelawolf is talking about in the song. In his verses Yelawolf talks about church and the "father, son, and holy spirit" (which he talks about a lot of religion on the album for claiming not to be religious). Is Yelawolf venting about the struggles of the industry on this track? My guess is yes (although I've always been a conspiracy theorist), Yelawolf's supposed only "Best Friend" at this point might be religion, or in other words, getting right with God after all the sins you supposedly commit in the music industry. It's an all around great song though, and is definitely a thought provoking track, not to mention it boasts a crazy Eminem verse.
Yelawolf's struggle with alcoholism is such a key concept in Love Story that the title of the album might as well define Yelawolf's relationship with the bottle. No I'm absolutely kidding of course, though the alcoholism does play a key part in Yelawolf's growing process. "Empty Bottles" is a great example of this, and the story told throughout almost defines an alcoholic's attitude and mood swings. From verse 1 to verse 3 (verse 3 being the angry, mood swinging version), "Empty Bottles" is definitely that thought provoking message you were looking for if you see Yelawolf as an honest rapper, and it succeeds in making you think about the devils of alcohol. In "Tennessee Love" Yela also has a key line that says it all; his "withdrawals from alcohol" line proves his concept of his drinking habits getting the best of him throughout the album, though the song is more a homage to Tennessee and the many things to do in it.
"Box Chevy V" and "Love Story" might be my 2 favorite tracks on this album. Yelawolf sounds as if he's in his most comfortable element, he practically blends into each of these tracks like a chameleon. "Love Story" has such a pump up vibe to it, with each drum hammering into your ears (because listening in your headphones is the only way to do this song justice) is a special feeling you only get from specific songs from your favorite artists. Yelawolf sounds like he's leaving from where he's at for good and never coming back (if I could place the vibe you get from this song, this is how I'd describe it). "Box Chevy V" has such an old school bumping vibe to it. I'm a fan of Big K.R.I.T, and this song sounds as if in's in the same general ballpark as a song like "Lac Lac." Yelawolf shows his ability to make bumping songs (Trunk Muzik) with "Box Chevy V" and it is awesome.
Other songs like 'Disappear" and "Have A Great Flight" have a definitive country sound that Yelawolf blends so perfectly with his rap abilities. I actually thought I was listening to a Johnny Cash song when I first heard the music to "Have A Great Flight.". To say this listening to a rap song is not exactly the first thought you expect you'll get. The feeling you get listening to some of these Yelawolf songs is crazy, I felt like I grew up 10 more years just from listening to "Til It's Gone", "Devil In My Veins", "Love Story", and you definitely feel the growing process Yelawolf is going through in "Disappear."
So does Yelawolf's sophomore LP live up to the hype? I would certainly say he did his thing, and his thing only, because I haven't heard any type of rap that sounds this different musically, the instrumentation and musical prowess Yelawolf shows is only comparable to B.o.B on a musical level (that is if Yelawolf actually played the instruments himself). The country vibe is something you don't even get from the absolute most southern rappers out there, the likes of Big K.R.I.T, Ludacris, or Nelly couldn't make anything like this in their primes. Yelawolf's ability to not only completely combine 3 different genres (hip hop, rock, country) of music, but to also make them sound good is a fresh breathe of air to a repetitive genre (arguably). Yelawolf's album is certainly not for everybody, though if you have an open mind of the future of hip hop, Love Story is certainly worth the listen, and this is all based off of my first real listen of a full length project from Yelawolf. So what's next for Yela? I certainly wouldn't mind tuning in to see.
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