Posted on 06/02/2009
Crew 54 have been previously compared to Little Brother for their mix of soulful productions and everyman lyricism, but judging by this couplet on “Can’t Lose,” it’s a tag they’re trying to shake: “some cats can’t win for losing, but me and the crew couldn’t take an L even if we wanted to.” Well, Crew Deep might not get a straight L, but it’s far from being an outright triumph.

While there are some nice beats, they’re looped to the point that you lose any interest after a couple of minutes or even plays. It’s a shame, because the sunshine-drenched “Good Day” and the majestic “Still Struggling” are dope, but they stand out far too much from an overblown and frankly unoriginal set.

As for the rhymes, G-Christ and M.O.S. do their thing, and it’s not bad, but neither is it anything special. They’re keen to point out that “this is not that average flow,” but sadly, it is. Too much time is spent boasting about their credentials rather than actually making a concerted effort to establish them. There’s very little to hold your attention lyrically, which throws the pressure back on the beats and too often they can’t bear the weight.

On the overblown “Champion” they compare themselves to a heavyweight boxer, but for most of Crew Deep they’re more Rocky Balboa (in his latest incarnation) than Apollo Creed in his prime. No matter how worthy their intentions they’re slow, overweight and just don’t have enough bounce. This self-proclaimed “Grown Man’s Music” needs a large dose of youthful enthusiasm. But unlike Rocky, Crew 54 have got time on their side, and the potential to make good music. They just need to freshen up. A lot.

- Will Georgi