Timz – Open For Business / 2006 VIG / 14 Tracks / http://www.timzonline.com / Reviewed 26 January 2007

Timz at least understands the trends that are popular in rap music. In the first track that is on “Open For Business”, ey includes a sped-up track from an old song for the backing beat. The disc starts out strong, but so many rap albums do and eventually fail to recreate the talent and ability that is promised by the opening track. “Public Enemy No. 1” is a track that is perfectly serviceable, as it blends the late nineties style of rap with topic material that is up to date .

The backing beat is a little on the played out side, but Timz is still at a strong position going into “Iraq”. The second set of vocals on “Public Enemy No. 1” (Spice 1?) has a Twiztid style to eir flow, and should be used more often in the future. During “Iraq”, the style of Timz’s flow changes drastically. In a way, the flow sounds like late Tupac; there is a certain speed and intensity to Timz’s flow that keeps individuals listening into “Open For Business”. The hook in the chorus is not the most catchy thing Timz could ever come up with, but it matches well with the style of the rest of the track. “Ride With Me” is another track that does not bring anything too terribly new, and while the chorus is at the edge of catchiness, Timz is able to continue working to craft a solid album.

Perhaps the smartest thing that Timz does on this album is have only a few skits to wreck the flow of the disc. Too many rap albums put interludes and skits every three or so songs, and this wrecks a disc’s momentum without fail. “Ride With Me” does get into a groove all of its own, but this is over three minutes into the track. Will individuals maintain their interest that long for a payoff? I’m not sure, but the brief chorus does not present me enough of a reason, despite how catchy it may be. Timz is one of the rappers that come from virtually nowhere to create a solid album. The album will not be on the top of anyone’s list for albums of the last year, but individuals could stick with Timz throughout the entirety of the disc without much in the way of a problem. Give it a go if underground rap if your thing.

Top Tracks: Ride With Me, How Can We

Rating: 5.5/10

[JMcQ]