Scratch Track

Item: Unreleased Sessions
Author: Zach Delph

Unreleased Sessions

(2005)

Reviewed by Zach Delph

Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Eclipse PartnershipThe Phantom Tollbooth2005

acoustic rock hip hop r&b

It's impossible these days to live your life and not be inundated by the overwhelming presence of urban music. Unless you are a connoisseur of today's urban music, most of it might all run together and begin to sound the same. This statement is one that is not true of Scratch Track.

Formed in 2000 at Union University in Jackson, TN, this trio began creating some of the most original sounding acoustic hip-hop today. Consisting of Jason Hamlin on acoustic guitar and Will Gray and DJ Lee on vocals/beat box, Scratch Track shapes socially aware songs that stick in your head. Hamlin's impressive guitar licks can leave the listener floored, especially when he's seen live. As the lyrics cover everything from relationships to homelessness, Gray and Lee don't just sing songs to get you moving, they get you thinking.

The chunky groove of "Come One, Come All" starts off this impressive disc and sets the pace for the next 43 minutes. "Homeless Man", also on the group's sophomore effort back when they were known as Eclipse, addresses the perspective of the homeless in regards to what Christians might do to help them out. "1972," "I Wanna Know," and "Wake Up" offer interesting perspectives on culture without just showing the problem, but offering a solution. "Troubles" and "Run Away" deal with the many issues of troubled relationships.

The album is rounded out with two tracks from their previous effort recorded live at Eddie's Attic in Atlanta, GA. While these two tracks showcase the band in a live setting, they really don't do the band's live show any justice. Having seen them live a countless number of times, Scratch Track is certainly a band that needs to be on your must-see list.

As this band continues to cross the country at an almost non-stop pace, they'll continue to hone their chops and impress more and more audiences with their original blend of acoustic hip-hop, funk, R&B, and rock. This is a release that is certain to please listeners of all genres.

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