Posted on: September 10, 2007 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Tum Tum – Eat or Get Ate / 2007 Universal / 18 Tracks / http://www.universalrepublic.com / http://www.ttownmusic.net /

One has to wonder why that a rapper named eirself after a character in the 3 Ninjas set of movies. This is the debut album by Tum Tum, and tracks here feature talents like Mannie Fresh, Trae, Jim Jones, and some up and coming rappers (Double T, Lil Ronnie, Don Dada, and Reyez). The first track is the title track, and it provides individuals with a confident and strong flow, even if there is not much in the way of a chorus hook to speak of.

The instrumentation during the title track brings it back to the late nineties, but ultimately works well in the current period. “You Ain’t Hungry” does not capitalize on the energy and fury that first marked “Eat or Get Ate”. This is due to the fact that the different sections of the track all seem to pushing different sets of goals. The resulting track has enough to be distracted by, but nothing overarching to really get individuals into what Tum Tum puts first. “Talk That Shit” is the first track that should be considered as a single. This means that all the constituent parts that are working at cross purposes during “You Ain’t Hungry” work together to craft a solid track. For the first time on this disc, there is a marketable hook that acts as the cherry on top of the sundae that is this track. The instrumentation evolves to something more impressive during “Anthem”. “Anthem” keeps with the hooky chorus, but throws in a sizzling synthesizer to the mix. It seems as if Tum Tum starts off slowly on “Eat or Get Ate”, but rapidly slides into something that is easily equivalent to the work of more established rappers.

However, all the goodwill and ability that was accumulating to Tum Tum throughout the entirety of tracks of “Eat or Get Ate” dissipates for the stinker “Caprice Musik”. The whispered-out, quite style of Tum Tum’s vocals are perhaps the greatest affront during this track, but the straight of a can instrumentation present on this track is an offender as well. Tum Tum comes back slightly during “T.U.M.”, but none of the tracks after that come back to the same glory of “Anthem”. Perhaps on Tum Tum’s next album we will hear a more solid effort. Right now, individuals should just try to stick with more established rappers. Keep an ear to the ground for later releases.

Top Tracks: Anthem, T.U.M.

Rating: 5.9/10

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