When you step back, you see life isn't really that bad after all.
Another favorite from the Scrublife mixtape. Wax gives us a very smooth tune as we exit this musical work. Mainly composed acoustically with other elements thrown in, it is just something to relax to when the weather is beautiful, or you just want to cheer up. This is absolutely one of the best ways to go out on a mixtape. It is very hard not to like this song, as at this point you appreciate Wax's many qualities. This one he sings perfectly, and I appreciate the vocals on this track, over a rap. Sometimes for a hip-hop head you want something that is smooth and constant, and a break from the drums is well received at this point.
He sings of taking that special someone out, impatient for a date of some sort, relieving all his stress. Regardless of the location, it could be anyway just to see her. He begins with a romantic image, a picnic in autumn as he pours her wine, and he takes in all that life has to offer. Next it is the beach, somewhere exotic, taking her in his grasp. And the moments where he just breaks down to release the energy from his soul, humming along with the tune he creates, it is just magical.
This track just paints many images in my head. Those of easy times, with lovely women, and just living those dreams we greatly yearn for. The tune relaxes our soul, as we are taken on a journey, where Wax opens up the vault of dreams we keep in our head, and we just look at the way things are, imagining the best. Even the thought of such heavenly events bring happiness to us, even if not experiencing it, because sometimes the music is our best way of ever experiencing something. Of course what makes the track more powerful is when we are reminded of those epic moments, times of pure joy and relaxation. As I was saying, we look at things in a different light afterwards, by the end of the song I am thoroughly convinced that life is indeed, not so bad at all...
Another sick track from Wax, with more production from EOM that I thoroughly enjoy. I like the approach that Wax took on this song, not focused on rapping fast, but when he brings his flow down slow with the sample echoing in the background, you can just space out and concentrate more on the imagery, as it isn't in a blur of words like other songs.
Wax kills it again with the lyrics adding a sadder tone with more negative connatation than say, Limousine. But both bring that smooth vibe you can just glide on, until before you know it the song is already over. He brings more of that wonderful imagery and clever little anecdotes, the cat fish one being my favorite one! While the stories he may tell all seem weird, they work so well. He introduces himself with a obviously melancholy tone, we all have those times when we just sit back and ponder life, you can just hear the sadness in his voice. However, he claims he feels like Clark Kent's alter-ego, which of course is Superman. So when sometimes we aren't enthusiastic as we often times are, inside we could be on top of the world. He expresses the stress he feels when he doesn't have another loaf around to feed the pigeons, that can be looked at as the financial struggle some have. We ask, "who would appreciate me if I didn't have something to flaunt or give up?", this often times brings up the subject of materialism. On the subject of pondering life, he has no rush to get back to the shore which is oh so very true, when we relax for the longest time, do we want to go back out to our usual routine? Hell no, far from it, sometimes I wish I was in a canoe with no paddle, just so I couldn't be blamed for not returning to the world. The chorus picks up to bring a lot more happiness to what first seemed like a depressing song, but we'll talk about the vocals in a bit. And he goes on... that he doesn't care if people view him as weird, because if he could he would fly to a special seat. I often find myself thinking that, if my situation was easier, I could have a much easier time dealing with my usual troubles, and I'd have my chance to really shine. For example, if you wish to make music but things like school and work hold you back, but you can never strive to reach that true potential you have yearned for. Wax puts a lot of interesting thoughts through my head on this one. Although my favorite line, just because of the image it puts in my head is this...
Loneliness is a mountain, a massive climb, I'm on the other side, happy, just passing time.
...And the thought we sometimes feel, that thought when you feel everyone else is having the time of your life, here you stand with all your problems. But Wax motivates us, yeah life can be hard as fuck. But through many mindsets you too can be on the other side of that mountain, spending your days the ways you most wish to.
The beat on this is well, a beat. It is simply drums and that sample, whether voiced on the hook, or suppressed during the verses. My possible thoughts on what the chorus might actually be seeing:
Don't need no palace paved with gold. Don't need more cash than banks can hold.
Or what I usually hear myself: Don't need no better place to go. Or Don't need no better place at all.
Whatever it may be, it is beautiful. I find myself singing along with the chorus everytime because it is so catchy! Then you hear the chorus put in every now and then as Wax spits. EOM does a good job to make the words hard to comprehend, which I think always makes it fun, even if it is harder to sing along. So yes a nice simple beat, with only 2 elements really.
This track is similar to Limousine in a few regards.
It has a very laid back beat that is very simple, letting us ride along with Wax's words.
Don't Need starts similar to Limousine, "feelin' like Clark Kent's alter-ego" "felt like I just found a huge treasure chest". But both branch to address struggles we have, and that sometimes the going certainly gets rough.
I might also add that the chorus' are quite similar as well. Giving us the idea we don't need much but that we instead must look at what we have and power through things. Palaces paved with gold, can be juxtaposed with a flying limousine.
And Wax does a good job in both tracks to give us advice, that we must power through loneliness and that only through rough moments to we get "the highest highs".
That is all I have to say for this one, very cool indeed!
I now introduce you to Wax ladies and gentleman. I first heard of him, back along while back, this was the song. Some classy real shit right here. Funny, as I first heard this song on Ascience's blog and fell in love with it, also the best way to get attention as I searched through the blog. But before I digress, I wanna talk about this track. This track blends several amazing qualities together. A sick beat, thought-provoking rhymes, and some down to earth talent that you just can't ignore. It is such an amazing track that eases your mind, and takes the pain away. Good track to introduce Wax in my opinion.
Ha yep, I'll be posting my favorite lyrics as usual, this one needs that typical breakdown, so many clever lines that stand as essential principles in our lives.
I'm by the fire Hugh Hefner-esk
Feeling like I just found a huge treasure chest.
Nice we get a taste of the chorus, we are warmed up the beat, and receive warm imagery. But Wax is here to teach us something today.
I use to never sweat death now I trip about it
this lifes to good for me to even live without it
Shows you how crazy life gets, but when you look at what you have, you would be dead without it. Giving is a line that might throw us off at first.
it's so surreal
and it aint about the doe or the deal
it's about the feelin in ya soul that ya feel
when that little feelin in ya soul becomes real
My thoughts exactly, it IS NOT about having it made, but when you get that feeling it makes you feel great, you know? Those moments when you hit something you strived towards for so long, and never even knew you were looking for it.
lady luck creep'd up on me like a crazy fuck
tapped me with her wand on the shoulder as a way of makin up-
for the tears that have poured
the years I've endoured
when anxiety and fear left me floor'd
Wax expresses how lucky he feels, because sometimes life works out so well you wonder why? Then you look back and realize the hardships you have dealt with has done something do you, but we'll get to that just a few bars down.
the stress will creep from down under like koala bears
havin me grinnin my teeth and pullin out my noggin hairs
but now through some type of dumb luck
I've come up and I'm awestruck by my surroundings
After such luck or whatever experience saves you, everything seems beautiful, and how true that is.
so never say never
the pain from the past makes the pleasure way better
you gotta feel the lowest lows to get the highest highs
blow ya noses/ dry ya eyes/ open roads waitin n it's time to drive
This is the line about hardships. When people sometimes ask you, "if life was always good you'd never appreciate it". Exactly, we become so joyous of events even more so, because we remember those times when we almost gave up. Then he drops that line about open roads, which inspires us to free ourselves and discover our dreams.
isn't it scenic after
all the worlds small while you tryina see it faster
beautiful woman hitchhiking while you speedin past her
pick her up and take a visit into greener pastures
I feel we do want to see the world faster, we simply want those results we have been waiting for, so we stumble upon the beautiful woman, viewed to others as a job, house, career, that goal that means something to us, no matter who you are, there is a greener pasture out there, a better opportunity for you.
the road to life's bumpy like cobble stone
pot hole problem prone seatbelt diggin in ya collarbone
but you are not alone
stand still traffic even in the no stopping zone
Yes life has its problems. But the most reassuring thing for some people, to know others are in the same pain, or a similar situation. And that he knows what it feels like to have a life that doesn't seem to move, and we are dying to go, and that we shouldn't worry about those speedin' past us on to those greener pastures.
the slow lane will never be your own lane
merge left and get the fuck up off the road man
me and EOM are in your own plane
look directly up and see us at the window sayin
Again, find your path, you are not alone, perhaps you should just leave the road, the idea that a symbol of roads and paths can be broken so simply gives us incredible freedom, we come to a beautiful realization.
Wax does a wonderful job with the chorus. If you don't want to leave heaven in a flying limousine. I consider the following. One, perhaps you hate flying, you are too modest and limousine aren't your style, and maybe heaven goes against your belief system. Or two, something or perhaps this very track has opened your eyes to appreciate life. Some moment that drills the idea into your head, the idea that everything can work out, and just to relax, no matter what circumstances. These moments of relaxation give us the time we need to plan out our future decisions and ease yourself, giving you the reassurance you need to survive in this crazy world.
The beat really is something, EOM works with Wax a lot and the elegance he brings to us is unparalled. Really with the right notes you can make something wonderful, as Rythmatical has already shown us with his instrumentals and beats he has used for the artists he works with. The piano keeps my fingers rolling, and the drums keep my heat tapping, and my head bobbin. I keep tellin my music friends that if I keep listenin to these awesome beats I'll have some serious neck injury by the time I'm 30. But hey, life is too beautiful for me to even live without it, so an injury won't stop me.
I'll be sure to hit you guys up with more Wax sometime, but with talent like this, he isn't that hard to find anymore.
