by mmog37

**Slated to be released March 18th, 2008, by ShadowFacts Records, “Identity Theft” will be the first of a reEvalutaion series.**

First Impressions

I have several different ways that I go about reviewing a cd, content is always a biggie, but let’s be real you can have the best lyrical content in the world and if the music sucks then the listener wont hang around and listen very long…unless they are one of the few mature listeners who really does have a fine tuned ear and listens to hear what is being spoken to them in a song, and there are very few of those type of listener around. So one of the things I do while I am reviewing a project is to listen to it while I am doing something that I dislike…if the music keeps me distracted or the lyrics get me thinking so much that I forget what I am doin’ then I know that I have a winner! This was the case with “Identity Theft” by reSearch aka Travis Harmon. I gave it a listen while on my morning bike ride (which I hate) but I soon found myself hummin along, smilin, noddin in agreement at times and in deep thought at certain points, I actually even found myself pedaling faster in cadence with the beat, in some cases making my mornin ride actually quite enjoyable.

If you don’t much about reSearch, you should know that he is one hardworkin dude, not only is he a member of ShadowFacts (who released “Emerge” last year), but he is also a member of Poetic Chaos, Drop Sci and Giants and he is one half of the tag team Vision1. reSearch describes his name as “a calling and a challenge to everyone to re-evaluate their thoughts, actions, attitudes and beliefs. Both his name and the title of this project are appropriate as he continually challenges the listener to do just that… to re-evaluate…but he doesn’t stop there, he then challenges the listener to re-affirm and then re-demonstrate with appropriate truth based action. This project is a call to be honest and real…to find out who you are and what your purpose is.

reSearch’s smooth even paced flow is easy to follow along with and decipher with one listen, and I found the music choices to be right on target with his type of flow…they complemented each other. Although his lyrics were easy to decipher, “Identity Theft” had everything I expected from a ShadowFacts alumni, complex melodies, Frantic cutting and mixing, classical hip hop arrangements that provoke both thinking and head noddin. Joining reSearch on his solo endeavor by way of guest appearances are Shortstop, Dj Frantic, Kendra Ayers, 247, and Details. The production was top notch with an all star production cast featuring Tony Stone, Theory Hazit, DJ Frantic, HiLite, Imagecaust, Que Rico, Motion Plus and Vintage. Here’s the full track listing with guest info and production creds:

Here’s the Track Listing:

1. reSearch feat Shortstop (prod by Dj Frantic)

2. If You Only Knew (prod by Vintage)

3. Image of Me (prod by Motion Plus)

4. Stylin’ (prod by Sean P)

5. Long Road feat Kendra Ayers (prod Imagecaust)

6. The Good Die Young feat Dj Frantic (prod by HiLite)

7. Tip Toe (prod by Haab)

8. Keep It Right (prod by Que Rico)

9. Sleep Now feat 247 (prod by 247)

10. Say What feat Kendra Ayers (prod by Imagecaust)

11. Weary (prod by Critical Juncture)

12. It’s Like feat Shortstop (prod by Theory Hazit)

13. Follow Me (prod BBB)

14. Htown is for Hatred (prod by Tony Stone)

15. Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow feat Details (prod by Imagecaust)

16. Goodbye (prod by Dj Frantic)

A Closer Look

Identity Theft is a major issue these days both in the secular/natural world and especially for those who are on the Christian Walk. We are constantly being bombarded with images and messages, all designed to distract us and cause of to lose focus of who we are…to lose our Identity. Loss of Identity or Identity theft is a major issue for the Christian, as our success lies in knowin who we are….what we are called to do and what we are capable of. In this day in age where Identity Theft is a very real issue, reSearch is right on time, both literally and metaphorically. In this project reSearch gets up close and personal challenging the listener to “research, re-evaluate and re-demonstrate” the truth. Skillfully he draws the listener to the reality that truth is closer than they think, and in fact is right outside their door.

I think one of the things I appreciate about this cd is that it is hip hop that is delivered from a Christ centered position and from a Christian who reveals the connection between him and his audience that he has been there and struggled and has questions and grievances just like the next person…but there is a higher truth that brings it all together and dictates what our actions should be. I realize that still poses a problem for some as they prefer a certain number repetitions of the name Jesus or recitations of biblical verses verbatim in order to qualify the project as Christian (but that’s another blog post)

Da Breakdown

I have to admit that reSearch takes a big risk, in the fact that he is open, honest and gets downright raw with it, and

obviously he was aware of it as he declares; “I’m flirtin with disaster…by bearin my soul.” Tracks like [If You Only Knew], and [Image of Me] give you a chance to glimpse into the heart of Travis…which earns major points with this listener, because there are a lot of artist out there who are sayin all the right things…and some of them even Biblically sound…but they lack the connectivity or realism that comes from speakin what they actually know , or have personally experienced or been proven in, and I think “Identity Theft” has that connectivity.

It doesn’t hurt that reSearch enlisted the production talents of heavy hitters Tony Stone, Theory Hazit, BBB, Imagecaust, Dj Frantic, Vintage, Motion Plus, Que Rico, Haab, Sean P. and 247. The music on this album was simply a treat for this listener’s ears, tracks like [Stylin] and [It's Like] had me rewinding several times as the beats we simply crazy. In direct contrast other tracks like [Long Road] were calming and soothing, the mellow guitar strings and the vocal styling’s of Kendra Ayers had me wantin to snap my fingers like I was in some underground poetry/jazz club. From start to finish or should I say from [reSearch, track 1] to [Goodbye, the last track], “Identity Theft takes the listener on a journey of discovery and self reflection..engaging..provoking and inspiring, questioning and offering an inside look into the heart and life of a humble mc. Here’s a Breakdown of some of the tracks and the topics covered in them:

• A call to research, re-evaluate and re-demonstrate. A challenge to look beyond the distractions and seek for the truth, and re-affirm that which is right. [reSearch]

• You can’t see feel or hear what you look and sound like (evaluate yourself correctly) outside of the Truth [If You Only Knew]

• It’s a long road but we all have to make that journey to go back home, a peek into the soul window of an mc catching a glimpse of the pain, struggles, regrets and experiences on that long road and the journey back home. [Long Road]

• Making the most out of our time, doin what we can while can as the time is short, stayin faithful even in the midst of adversity, and puttin an end to excuses. [The Good Die Young]

• A challenge to the immature and irresponsible mc’s who reckless and irresponsible on the mic. [Tip Toe]

• Be original, stand on your own and not merely follow the ideas and opinions of others. [Say What]

• reSearch shares some of his life and poses some of those hard questions like what happens when you (the person who helps everyone) is the one in need of help, and the scrutiny that comes from other believers who frown on the association with un-believers and the use of hip hop as a means to share the Love of God. [Weary]

• A trip to the days of old, a return the fun days of hip hop with a new message of healing [It's Like]

• Dare to be different, a challenge to see beyond what is being presented by today’s multi-media, a hip hop style pied piper song calling the listener to follow in the pursuit of the Truth [Follow Me]

Final Thoughts

I find myself in the same dilemma I had when reviewing “Emerge” by ShadowFacts…this is a unique type of hip hop and therefore hard to categorize…but if you like Scribbling Idiots, ShadowFacts or DeepSpace 5…then you will enjoy this one. If you like music that is conscious, thought-provoking and engaging then you will enjoy “Identity Theft” by reSearch. It challenges the status quo, invites the listener to reach for more and it is both socially and spiritually relevant. I can foresee this one gettin some decent rotation as I pick up on somethin new with each listen. I joked with reSearch before listening that I had high expectations after “Emerge” and that I hoped he wouldn’t let me down…I can let him know now that he didn’t.

You can find out more about reSearch and “Identity Theft at any of the following sites:

http://www.shadowfactsrecords.com/

http://www.myspace.com/ShadowFactsCrew