"1918" jumps off with the creepy "So It Begins" introduction with a narrative describing people dropping where they stood and simply dieing overnight. I'm not a history buff, but I have to give props to Epademik for pushing me to google everything I could find about tragedy in 1918 to see if I could identify the tragic events described in the theatrical intro. I have to ask Epademik if this is all about the Great Pandemic of 1918 and if so, why?
I immediately started bobbin' my head to the classic west coast bounce of "All of You" and the Dr Dre samples setting the tone within the first four bars. Everyone needs a "fuck all of ya'll" theme song at some time in their normal grind and Epademik delivers with "All of You".
"Jesus Syndrome" is definitely a highlight of the album with it's weeping guitar riffs riding over a classic west coast bounce accompanied by strings and bells ringing in a distant right channel while Epademik speaks on being true to self.
I'm not normally a fan of intros and interludes and skits, but without a doubt the movie that plays out in the "Door to Door" skit is epic and is a perfect introduction to "Pass" which builds with a dark piano bassline into Epademik flipping his lyrical acrobatics high in the air like a middle finger stabbed in the eye of wack rappers.
"85 Percent" is another highlight of the album with dope production behind Epademik speaking truths that most pedestrian rappers are truly just full of shit and lieing about all their "accomplishments" and trappings. What really makes "85 Percent" stand out are the arrangment flips sprinkled throughout the production along with the twists in Epademik's cadence and his comical wordplay.
"Good Shit" is the best bet as as a lead single from the "1918" album with dope production riding behind Epademik with Katt Williams samples driving home the point of the record. "Good Shit" really finds Epademik in his comfort zone lyrically as he slides from bar to bar with ease as he delivers what I find to be his best work on the album.
"Sound Like" is so odd with its production that I was fully expecting George Clinton would splash down with his Funkadelics. The record is screaming for that funk to push it over the top.
"Alzhimer" wraps up the "1918" album with the same basic theme as "85 Percent" as Epademik again proclaims his disdain for wack rappers and the dumb shit they lie, boast, and brag about.
Side note: I did ask Epademik about the 1918 title and theme and I was on the right track. Here's how Epademik speaks on it
"1918 was the largest epidemic that hit the world. Killing some 50 million people, some people would be dead within days of becoming infected. So thats what I felt this album represents... Epademik spreading globally to all walks of lifes & just like the epidemic of 1918 it seemed to be unstoppable. Im a huge history buff. I like to educate muthafuckahz while spittin."
Get familiar with Epademik at www.epademik.com and on twitter @Epademik
