Faith is the third album by the American hip hop group Basehead, released in 1996.[2][3] The release was delayed for two years as Imago Records separated from BMG.[4][5] It was the group's last album for the label.[6]
| Faith | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1996 | |||
| Studio | Pachyderm (Cannon Falls, Minnesota) | |||
| Genre | Hip hop, alternative rock | |||
| Label | Imago[1] | |||
| Producer | Michael Ivey | |||
| Basehead chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe album was recorded in 1994 at Pachyderm Recording Studio, in Minnesota, with engineering help from Michael Koppelman; Koppelman and DJ Clarence Greenwood also coproduced some of the tracks.[4][7] The lyrics, written by Michael Ivey, address themes of Christian spirituality and God; "Lucy" is a song about Lucifer.[8][9]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [10] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [6] |
| Entertainment Weekly | A−[11] |
| Fort Worth Star-Telegram | [12] |
| MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide | [13] |
| Orange County Register | [14] |
Entertainment Weekly deemed the album "avant-Christian funk", writing that Ivey "hasn't curtailed his humor, his drawling sensuality, or his sense of musical adventure."[11] The Washington City Paper advised: "Imagine a mellow Prince quietly declaiming over the late-night vibes of a cafe ensemble comfortable with jazz balladry, triphop, sadcore, and cutting-edge hiphop."[4] The Orange County Register called it "a brilliant blend of social observation, lo-fi hip-hop, twisted jazz, clever avant-rock, and smart old school that cuts very, very deep."[14]
CMJ New Music Monthly thought that "some songs lilt and others throb, but Faith still has the arid, rustic sound that distinguishes Basehead's records from any others in hip-hop."[8] The Fort Worth Star-Telegram determined that Ivey's "spiritual lyrics have matured without getting pompous", writing that the frontman is "the guy who pretty much founded that whole 'alternative rap' movement—a commingling of rap, reggae, country and R&B that Arrested Development, the Fugees and others swiped and made nice careers out of—and still he lingers in the shadows of obscurity."[12]
AllMusic wrote that Ivey "didn't leave behind his trademark amalgam of funk, hip-hop, and kitschy pop but he has become more focused... Unfortunately, you don't listen to Basehead to hear direction—Ivey's charm has always been in his fragmented, hazy cut-and-paste approach."[10]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Michael Ivey
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "If I Were Superman" | |
| 2. | "Cold Outside" | |
| 3. | "Faith" | |
| 4. | "Castles & Kings" | |
| 5. | "Ask Your Dad" | |
| 6. | "Fun Tube" | |
| 7. | "Betty Ford & a Brand New Bag" | |
| 8. | "Lucy" | |
| 9. | "Objects in the First Person" | |
| 10. | "Fives & Fours & Friend of Friends" | |
| 11. | "Saved" | |
| 12. | "Spreading Germs" | |
| 13. | "The Son Does Shine" | |
| 14. | "Family Man" |
References
edit- ^ "Basehead". Trouser Press. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Basehead Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Basehead's Game of Tags". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c Kiviat, Steve (October 11, 1996). "You Gotta Have Faith". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ Morris, Chris (February 10, 1996). "Imago Links with Koch International". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 6. p. 89.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 453.
- ^ Brace, Eric (February 21, 1997). "A Musical Model Citizen". Weekend. The Washington Post. p. 13:1.
- ^ a b Molanphy, Chris (August 1996). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 36. p. 34.
- ^ Hampton, Howard (June 6, 1996). "Hex Files: Basehead and other UFOs". LA Weekly. p. 43.
- ^ a b "Faith". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Ehrlich, Dimitri. "Faith". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Mayhew, Malcolm (May 31, 1996). "Rap". Star Time. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 13.
- ^ MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 35.
- ^ a b Darling, Cary (June 28, 1996). "Basehead's Ivey climbs to new level". Orange County Register. p. F56.