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Action Bronson: Saaab Stories (prod. Harry Fraud)

Depending on whom you talk to, Action Bronson is either one of the most consistent up-and-comers or a one-trick pony. Since his 2011 collaboration effort with Statik Selektah Well Done, I’ve subscribed to the school of thought that Bronson is indeed a skilled emcee, but doesn’t offer much variety. Well Done was the last time I was fully engaged by an Action Bronson project, as I skimmed Blue Chips and downloaded, but never played Rare Chandeliers. On his latest collaboration with Harry Fraud, a seven-track EP called Saab Stories, Action Bronson doesn’t learn any new tricks, but he is more enjoyable in smaller doses.

Bronson is still Bronson on Saab Stories – with songs called “Two Virgins” and lines like “hold my dick while I take a piss.” But with a run time of about twenty-five minutes, his sense of humor is much more enjoyable. Enlisting one of the stronger performances from Wiz Khalifa I’ve heard in a while, along with Prodigy and Raekwon on the EP’s closer, the features benefit those who enjoy the Pittsburgh and New York emcees in small fixes.

Harry Fraud’s production carries the project. The Brooklyn beatsmith’s style is retro combined with elements of modern production. “Strictly 4 My Jeeps” has a “Made You Look”-type minimalism and has the feel of 1980s, New York hip hop; while “Triple Backflip” has ultra-fast high hat patterns heard in many modern records. Harry Fraud is one of the few current, mainstream New York producers who actually have a traditional NY sound. Admittedly, I have not heard much from him (mainly because I’ve been dodging French Montana records), but this EP has compelled me to check for more of his beats.

If this was the first Action Bronson release I had ever heard, I’d be up in arms about this project. But I’m still unmoved by the Ghostface Killah-sounding rapper. The humor and excessive cuisine references were endearing and unique at first, but with his fifth notable release in three years, I’m no longer amused. Those who think Bronson is consistent and not repetitive will undoubtedly enjoy this EP wholeheartedly. As the rest of us, we will remain relatively indifferent towards the rapper until he can expand his style and subject matter.

7/10

Tracklisting:
1) 72 Virgins (feat. Big Body Bes)
2) Triple Backflip
3) No Time
4) The Rockers (feat. Wiz Khalifa)
5) Strictly 4 My Jeeps
6) Alligator
7) Seven Series Triplets (feat. Prodigy & Raekwon)

***Notable Mentions:
Prodigy & Alchemist: Albert Einstein
A-Alikes: Us Against Them

Tags : Action BronsonHarry Fraud
Goose

The author Goose

Goose is a talented writer who loves hip hop and writes for RapReviews and Okayplayer. Goose brings a fresh, new dimension to The Hip Hop Speakeasy and loves any opportunity he has to share the love of hip-hop that he knows so many people have.