Lesun - The KISS Album (Keep It Short & Sweet)

Ok... since this is the first OFFICIAL album review I'm just going to go over some of the basics here. There's a visual version, and i Kept It Short and Sweet (pun intended this time... how appropriate). Click the thumbnail to get a visual song by song rating, complete track listing, a rating and a quick blurb about the album with my overall opinion. Then there's the extra something for those of you who like to read. A full length, in depth review. I don't rate Intros, Interludes, or Outros unless they make an extreme positive or negative effect on the album. In this case none of them were musical so they weren't rated. On to the review!!!!


Ok.... I'm a humorous fellow, so I appreciate when artists take the time and spend the effort to make me laugh, entertain, and feed my spirit all at once. This is certainly the case with this album. Right out of the gate Lesun offers his heart to us by sharing what a long road it's been and thanking those who had helped him along the way... but then he's distracted... check the album out to hear it for yourself. It's unexpected and hilarious. The KISS album (Keep it Short and Sweet) is a GREAT display of lyrical talent and vocal ability all submitted for the glory of God, while having a good time in the process.

Moving into the music you're immediately greeted with a bevy of BANGERS! Check the first 4 rated songs on the thumbnail.... those are some of my favorites on the album. I have to say that Lesun did an EXCELLENT job picking his beats on this project. Thankfully, he had the lyrical chops to keep pace and handle the tracks like an experienced MC. His tone and delivery did a lot to make the listening enjoyable, and you can tell he felt comfortable with what he was doing at all times. He even smoothes it out a couple of times and puts on his "crooner" hat to seranade the listener a few times. A very welcome change of pace! Normally when you have an artist that tries to both sing and rhyme, you end up with very little talent on both sides supplemented by an overload of pride. He doesn't overkill the vocals like most church choir solo artists do, opting to keep the tunes mellow and even featuring OTHER vocal artists on some of the same tracks he sings on top off, pumping out a plethora of voices to please the audio pallete. It wasn't all high points for me however. "Something You Don't See Everyday" just didn't seem to fit on this album to me. Taking into account the over all feel of the album, the southern flavor of that track seemed a little out of place. But you could appreciate the effort though.

As I keep mentioning, I was impressed thouroughly by the quality of the production. With contributions from production powerhouses like Tony Stone, Theory Hazit, Lesun himself, G.P., Tone, Duan Wade, and Roc Beats, K.I.S.S offeres a WIDE range of musical styles that cross a wide range of genres. There's plenty of ear candy to keep that neck going with bobblehead action.

Although I didn't rate them, I really enjoyed the interludes as well. It gave a lot of insight into his personality, led smoothly from song to song, and gave opportunities to laugh along with him, feel for him, and just generally get to know him. It's always nice to feel like you know the artist at the end of listening to an album. The constant interuptions from the "KISS" clip from an artist everyone should know, kept the mood light and the album on its heels. A very comfortable album from top to bottom.

This isn't a theology album. It's definitely not one of those albums you'd turn to for help to exegete a passage of scripture, or to prepare for a sermon. That doesn't mean that this album doesn't edify or build you up spritually. As a matter of fact that's QUITE the case. I'm finding that I start my day with "BPM's" stuck in my brain every morning which encourages me to draw closer to God on the daily, helping me by reminding me of where I came from, and where I am now. This isn't an album you'll put in and wonder if the artist is saved or not, this is DEFINITELY CHRISTIAN Hip Hop here. He tastefully manages a balance of content that SCREAMS JESUS while at the same time is just good music.

The bottom line man, this is definitely one of the best Holy Hip Hop albums I've heard in a while. I'll be recommending this album to all of my friends and family, especially those that aren't currently in the faith. So obviously.. my recommendation to you...

GO COP THAT JOIN SON!!!! Currently available at 3hmp3.com and from his website, www.BruceLesun.com