Chef Camer1 “Music Is My Silence” album review

By
Josh Niemyjski
-
14

End of Earth Records / War Tour Productions (July 22, 2011)
Review by Aidan Severs

When an artist drops two debut projects simultaneously, one of them being a release which spans 4 years of creativity, the results are bound to showcase a less-mature version of said artist. Music Is My Silence is a compilation of material from San Fran resident MC/Producer/Graf artist Chef Camer1 (pronounced Cameron) which dropped alongside the Error 96-produced LP Audio Motel.

Music Is My Silence is a self-produced affair, on which Chef Camer1 dabbles in many styles and sounds from Hip Hop’s vast palette. The production never comes across as amateurish although it often comes across as less than authentic. It appears that Camer1 as a producer has yet to hone a signature sound which he is comfortable with as a beat maker (and as a rapper). In terms of beats, “Victoria” stands out – a balladic production which features Either Or’s beautifully recorded guitar. The second verse of “It All Goes Away” also has a wildly great beat. Album opener “Turn It Up” skips uncomfortably through styles and is confusing in its structure.

Camer1’s concepts, whilst fairly imaginative, sometimes sound forced; a bit ‘try hard’ – “Turn It Up” being a prime example of this as Chef states that he can only think when there is loud music. A seasoned Hip Hop fan would also be quick to identify that Chef Camer1’s own personality doesn’t shine through as he attempts too many different styles – the one which particularly sounds artificial is the angry, half Lil Jon, half Eminem (in “The Way I Am” mode) impression which he adopts in parts of “Turn It Up”, “March”, “I Fight” and “Example”. Lyrically Chef Camer1 has his ups and downs; in “Wishlist” he raps “…to contemplate, I relate to your state of being because your very being is my fate” (which is poetic) but then immediately goes on to rhyme “plus you make my knees shake just like vibrato” (not that good). His rhythm and timing is good making for a range of different flows – his strength as a rapper.

Spiritually the album is an honest account of a Christian’s life. “Testmony” is a highlight as Chef Camer1 discusses a topic which so many of us can probably relate to – feeling like prayers are hitting a brick wall. He finishes the first verse with the hard hitting “Then I hear You calling me, saying; “Why don’t you be quiet son, and for once try to listen”” – a lesson to us all. It’s this aspect of the album which displays the heart behind this artists work – whilst he has some way to go technically, he is most sincere in His love for God, his desire for reaching the lost and for sharing his experiences as a Christian.

Whilst some debut Rap albums that are the product of years of pent-up creativity and hunger are now considered to be classics, Music Is My Silence functions more as a document of this artist’s journey and as a standalone LP it doesn’t quite cut it – listen to this as bonus material once Chef Camer1 makes a more coherent album. Having said all this, you can make up your own mind on this release as it’s available as a free download along with the aforementioned Audio Motel.

For fans of: Jupiter7, War Tour

Free Album Download: Chef Camer1 “Music Is My Silence”

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

14 COMMENTS

  2. Would of been more proper to do an album review of Audio Motel which features a lead single and video. Music Is My Silence in an extra album alongside Chef’s main release ChefCamer1 & Error 96 which features Chef’s new material. I’m not sure I understand the process of how reviews get done on Sphere but I’m pretty disappointed that a review of older songs would be done before the newer. Anyways… thanks for the coverage.

  3. J7 – It just happens that the writer finished this one before another writer could finish the other.

    The entire staff is volunteer and it’s quite a challenge to find willing qualified people to write.

  4. I do think i wrote it from that perspective though, J7. i ensured that people took this as an extra album.

  5. Wow! I apologize if I sounded harsh or out of place. I definitely understand the situation and wish that would have been communicated to me earlier. I’m just making sure that my crew is represented properly and the coverage coincides with what is being promoted currently. Thanks again for clarification and excuse my ignorance. Much Love!

  6. Cool. I personally think it’s normal and more beneficial that reviews are done chronologically, i.e. old music to new. It hopefully will show progression of the artist. If this review had been put up second this might be the reader’s lasting impression of the artist.

  7. A review is just a review. Its merely what the audience thinks about the music. If I were an artist, I would make sure that a review did not define me as an artist, but again I would take the advice to heart regardless of the context. I would also be grateful to get covered, there are not a lot of forums for solid album reviews in this scene.

  8. yessss…a review of my work. sweet 🙂 cant wait to read one on audio motel. thanks for posting it guys.

  9. dude thank you for hearing this in my music

    “whilst he has some way to go technically, he is most sincere in His love for God, his desire for reaching the lost and for sharing his experiences as a Christian.”

    this is all i ever wanted.

  11. i really do appreciate im honored to just be included. let me know if i can answer any questions about any of the songs or anything. keep doing your thing guys. God bless, cam

  12. hey do you guys know if someone will be reviewing my other album? that was the one i was hoping would get a review. thanks

Comments are closed.