Release Date: March 22, 2011
CunninLynguists, the crew with the most unfortunate name in hip-hop, has been making progress with each new record in an attempt to prove it isn’t just a joke band. It’s latest—Oneirology—is somewhat of a concept record, exploring dreams and the subconscious in various ways throughout the album. To call the result a nightmare would be incredibly be easy, but also far too accurate.
Kno, CunninLynguists’ producer and occasional vocalist, does a great job of making Oneirology’s tracks work well both individually as well as in the context of the album. Kno’s work has much in common with his recent solo debut Death is Silent. Oneirology’s atmospheric feel allows CunninLyguists a vast ocean of space in which to maneuver. Natti and Deacon the Villian, CunninLyguists’ emcees, attempt to fill in gaps Kno had left them throughout the course of the album. Sadly, Natti and Deacon fail to accomplish this task consistently.
Various guest spots help make Oneirology a partially enjoyable listen in spite of the CunninLynguists’ weakness. Instead of displaying the group’s talent, it merely shows that the trio knows a handful of people who can help make a track listenable. “Stars Shine Brightest (In the Darkest of Night)” saving grace is Rick Warren’s infectious hook. Natti and Deacon verses sound smooth, but the content is shaky at best. By trying to merge astronomy with the dreamlike concept of Oneirology Natti offers, “You can only see the stars when it’s Don Cheadle black,” and Deacon’s “No astronomer has seen your incredible gleam/And you don’t need a telescope to detect dream.” This only a small sampling of the horrendous lines that abound on Oneirology.
“Enemies with Benefits,” featuring Tonedeff, suffers a similar fate. While Kno’s hook is strong, it is Tonedeff’s final verse that makes the track worthwhile. His speed and lyrical prowess puts the group to shame, making CunninLyguists come off as unprepared in the face of the various guest spots.
Oneirology proves to be an ambitious step for CunninLyguists, but overall the group fails to turn that into something engaging.
Kno, Natti and Deacon have proven in the past they can be a powerful force in the rap world, there is little here that backs up such claims. Instead, the group’s strongest moments are when they break from the album’s awkward conceptual base and allow for something a bit more varied as seen on “My Habit (I Haven’t Changed).” Instead of working to make vibrant verses and memorable hooks, CunninLynguists appear to put the entirety of its effort into completing some half-cooked concept.
While Oneirology has its moments, they are few and far between. Kno’s production is top notch, and Natti and Deacon have proven that they have the skill to create captivating albums. Unfortunately, CunninLyguists attempt at a concept album leaves nothing resonating other than the fact that Oneirology is one giant mishap disguised as artistic advancement.
CunninLynguists – Oneirology Tracklist:
- “Predormitum (Prologue)”
- “Darkness (Dream On)”
- “Phantasmata”
- “Hard As They Come (Act One)”
- “Murder (Act Two)”
- “My Habit (I Haven’t Changed)”
- “Get Ignorant”
- “Shattered Dreams”
- Stars Shine Brightest (In the Darkest of Night)”
- “So As Not To Wake You (Interlude)”
- “Enemies With Benefits”
- “Looking Back”
- “Dreams”
- “Hypnopomp (Epilogue)”
- “Embers”
