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Product Description
Review
When is a debut album not a debut album? When it’s a free mixtape. Broken via MySpace, Philadelphia rapper/MC Chidera ‘Chiddy’ Anamege and his studio-wiz partner Noah ‘Xaphoon Jones’ Bersin made waves in 2009 with The Swelly Express, whose mix of originals and samples included the irresistible MGMT-raiding Opposite of Adults. The Sufjan Stevens-sampling All Things Go was even better. 2010’s mini-follow-up Air Swell embraced La Roux, Ellie Goulding, Tinie Tempah and Gorillaz in a smash-and-grab of UK rhythm aces. Ye olde trick of hooks sweetening hip hop’s blunter impact felt fresh for a change. But as an official debut three years after The Swelly Express, the virtually sample-free Breakfast has a lot to prove.
Clearly Chiddy Bang don’t just know a good hook, they can fashion one too, as Breakfast’s lead single Ray Charles shows; it’s symptomatic of their way of combining something insanely catchy and just as brief, but the soulful piano riff oozing retro charm in the style of Raphael Saadiq (likewise the Blue Brothers-referencing video) is evidence of something much more sophisticated. VV Brown’s (uncredited) vocal on Happening is another slice of soul-pop bounce, but it underlines the obvious Chiddy formula, of hooks so simple they resemble playground chants and nursery rhymes.
In the one sample-based track, Mind Your Manners, it’s the turn of haughty Swedish electro-pop girl duo Icona Pop’s single Manners, a great counterpart to Chiddy’s swagger and punch. The slower jam Does She Love Me? has a perfectly formed three-note hook that sounds like a robot child, as if Chiddy are only content in a state of arrested adolescence. The fact they sampled MGMT’s Kids for Opposite of Adults doesn’t seem to be a coincidence.
Breakfast sparkles less when the boys force themselves to act their age. The title-track (not the same as Air Swell’s Breakfast) is, strangely, one of the most uneventful tracks, 4th Quarter is an anti-climatic finale, and Whatever We Want only comes alive with the chorus. But Bersin’s a smooth operator: Run It Back taps the same velvet melancholia as Frank Ocean, Talking to Myself could almost be a 21st century Hall & Oates, and Out 2 Space is simply great hip-pop, a space-age soul-rap with Neptunes-style fizz. It helps Breakfast be a more balanced meal, despite the album’s predominant diet of candy hooks and bouncy-castle rhythm. So, less Philly steak, more like Chiddy Bang’s beloved Nando’s; an instant hit with tasty ingredients, and worth waiting for.
--Martin Aston
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CD Description
Breakout electro inspired hip-hop duo and viral sensation Chiddy Bang, whose addictive breakthrough hit, the MGMT sampling, “Opposite of Adults” put them on the map, are proud to announce the release of their highly anticipated debut album, Breakfast on Parlophone Records. The much buzzed about album, which venerable music magazine Spin declared as “one of the most anticipated debuts” was written over the course of this year whilst the duo extensively toured throughout the US, Europe and Australia. Their infectious party spirit coupled with on the road experiences, interests and influences has resulted in a body of work that that will unite the mainstream as well as the underground; making the b-boyz sing, the indie kids bounce and the pop lovers rave.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been waiting a long time for this album. I had planned my money spending around it, making sure i could get it. This was on the power of the fact that i knew Xaphoon never dissapoints with his beats, and Chiddy is always on point with his rhymes. Therefore, i bought the album, almost knowing that it would be great. And oh boy was i right.
The album begins with an atmospheric but at the same time simple intro that shows off Xaphoons talent for production and really sets a tone and standard for things to come. This is followed by the excellent song 'Breakfast', which has superb production and a genuinly catchy rap chorus.
After this, you are quite sure already that youve made a good purchase, but you are definetly sure by song 5 after youve heard the joyful 'Mind Your Manners', and the albums single, 'Ray Charles'.
The great thing about this album is that in some rap/production couples, you cant tell the difference between them and a solo rapper, but in this album, the production is so amazing that you are very glad Xaphoon is there supporting Chiddy while he tells the story of their journey.
The rapping by Chiddy is also top notch, especially on more downbeat songs such as the heartfelt 'Does She Love Me?' and 'Talking To Myself'. The rest of the album is upbeat, and will genuinly make you feel very happy whatever situation youre in, and the high point of the albumn is probably 'Out 2 Space' which is catchy, fun, happy and makes you feel good.
Overall, this album lives up to my own massive hype of it, and has so much variety, with happy, fun songs, mixed with story telling. The whole thing has the best production ive ever heard from Xaphoon Jones,and probably from anyone, and after one listen through, you feel really good about yourself in the knowledge that you would have happily payed double than what you did in order to listen to this work of genius.
The album begins with an atmospheric but at the same time simple intro that shows off Xaphoons talent for production and really sets a tone and standard for things to come. This is followed by the excellent song 'Breakfast', which has superb production and a genuinly catchy rap chorus.
After this, you are quite sure already that youve made a good purchase, but you are definetly sure by song 5 after youve heard the joyful 'Mind Your Manners', and the albums single, 'Ray Charles'.
The great thing about this album is that in some rap/production couples, you cant tell the difference between them and a solo rapper, but in this album, the production is so amazing that you are very glad Xaphoon is there supporting Chiddy while he tells the story of their journey.
The rapping by Chiddy is also top notch, especially on more downbeat songs such as the heartfelt 'Does She Love Me?' and 'Talking To Myself'. The rest of the album is upbeat, and will genuinly make you feel very happy whatever situation youre in, and the high point of the albumn is probably 'Out 2 Space' which is catchy, fun, happy and makes you feel good.
Overall, this album lives up to my own massive hype of it, and has so much variety, with happy, fun songs, mixed with story telling. The whole thing has the best production ive ever heard from Xaphoon Jones,and probably from anyone, and after one listen through, you feel really good about yourself in the knowledge that you would have happily payed double than what you did in order to listen to this work of genius.
Format:Audio CD
The first time I became aware of Chiddy Bang was the single "Opposite of Adults", and then I forgot all about them.
Until I heard "Ray Charles". What a great song. Having read the reviews here I decided to buy the album "Breakfast", and for the most part I'm glad I did. I can't say I love every track on the cd but how many albums can you honestly say that about? Strangely enough the title track "Breakfast" is one of the weakest songs here, but after a shaky start we move quickly into 4 songs in a row that are great! "Handclaps and Guitars", "Mind Your Manners" and "Ray Charles" all up tempo bouncy hip hop tracks with catchy melodies and great rapping from Chiddy. Then they slow things down a bit with "Does She Love Me?' which is nice, and shows a slightly more serious and tender side from the duo.
I have to say I tend to skip the next song "Run It Back" not because of the singing, which I like, but I don't feel the music and rap gel well together. The music is quite slow and yet the rapping is loud and fast. It doesn't quite work for me. But things soon warm up again with "Whatever We Want". My favourite slow number on the album is "Talking To Myself". When I first heard it I found the singing slightly strange but now I love the clever lyrics, good beats and rapping.
The highlight of the whole album has to be "Happening" featuring VV Brown. Just a great feel good song, that bounces along at a great pace, and could easily be a big summertime hit for Chiddy and Xaphoon Jones. Yes to some it will be a bit too commercial and poppy, but what's wrong with that? These guys can do both pop and non-commercial music, as the final track "4th Quarter" with its much tougher sound, proves.
All in all a great album, with only a couple of tracks I tend to skip as I'm playing it, which, for me is highly unusual. Amazon are also selling a "clean" version of this cd, so if you'd prefer not to hear the swear words, although on most tracks they aren't used too often, then check it out Breakfast (Clean)
The single "Ray Charles" reached 13 in the UK Charts, but their first single from the album "Mind Your Manners" didn't chart here at all, but hopefully their future releases will do better because they really do deserve to have more success here in the UK. Take a listen to "Breakfast" and I'm sure you'll agree.
Until I heard "Ray Charles". What a great song. Having read the reviews here I decided to buy the album "Breakfast", and for the most part I'm glad I did. I can't say I love every track on the cd but how many albums can you honestly say that about? Strangely enough the title track "Breakfast" is one of the weakest songs here, but after a shaky start we move quickly into 4 songs in a row that are great! "Handclaps and Guitars", "Mind Your Manners" and "Ray Charles" all up tempo bouncy hip hop tracks with catchy melodies and great rapping from Chiddy. Then they slow things down a bit with "Does She Love Me?' which is nice, and shows a slightly more serious and tender side from the duo.
I have to say I tend to skip the next song "Run It Back" not because of the singing, which I like, but I don't feel the music and rap gel well together. The music is quite slow and yet the rapping is loud and fast. It doesn't quite work for me. But things soon warm up again with "Whatever We Want". My favourite slow number on the album is "Talking To Myself". When I first heard it I found the singing slightly strange but now I love the clever lyrics, good beats and rapping.
The highlight of the whole album has to be "Happening" featuring VV Brown. Just a great feel good song, that bounces along at a great pace, and could easily be a big summertime hit for Chiddy and Xaphoon Jones. Yes to some it will be a bit too commercial and poppy, but what's wrong with that? These guys can do both pop and non-commercial music, as the final track "4th Quarter" with its much tougher sound, proves.
All in all a great album, with only a couple of tracks I tend to skip as I'm playing it, which, for me is highly unusual. Amazon are also selling a "clean" version of this cd, so if you'd prefer not to hear the swear words, although on most tracks they aren't used too often, then check it out Breakfast (Clean)
The single "Ray Charles" reached 13 in the UK Charts, but their first single from the album "Mind Your Manners" didn't chart here at all, but hopefully their future releases will do better because they really do deserve to have more success here in the UK. Take a listen to "Breakfast" and I'm sure you'll agree.
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