Posted on 07/23/2008
If there was such a thing as nostalgic hip-hop, The Kneehighs might be the cream of the crop. With a feel-good approach to a darkening hip hop sound, The Kneehighs make the listener miss the simple days of their San Diego childhood, even if they’ve never been to San Diego. Storytelling is a great art, particularly in hip-hop, and these dudes take their time to tell some great ones.

While sticking to the intelligent, lyrical, old school hip-hop roots, The Kneehighs have mastered the formula. But that may be their biggest knock—I hear a formula. I hear Jurassic 5 everywhere. Such a statement is neither an insult nor a compliment—just a fact. It is a trend in music that works, but each time it’s redone, it works a little less than the first time. When I listen to the excellent production, musical and lyrical ability, I wonder what would happen if these artists would act their twenty-something ages and tweak with something. Get a little weird with it. I don’t completely believe you. If it comes from Cali, it has to immediately fight the “gimmick” label, and even if The Kneehighs are aligning themselves as a retro, throwback, rise against commercialism, they are still on a gimmick. Just be honest.

So if you want to hear the new Jurassic 5 album that will never come out, cop Rise and Shine. It’s good stuff, but not their stuff, and that is a bit disheartening when you hear the vocal ability and production of The Kneehighs.

- LK1