Composed by Blu. That’s all I had to see to pick up this album, Sene’s, A Day Late and a Dollar Short. Realistically, I figured a few guest appearances from Blu with solid production and a few stand out tracks. This was not the case, as this is a great album. Backed with production solely handled by Blu, which is top notch and a strength of the album, the Brooklyn native Sene tells tales about his rough childhood and current life that make for a great listen.
Many different aspects and factors play a role in making a good song and thus, a good album. Whether it be lyrics, flow, production or whatever, different avenues are taken on each body of work. While lyrics are not horrible on this LP, in fact they are better than decent and production is most definitely a premium, the one thing that really stands out and carries the album are the choruses and the hooks. The album gives a feeling of Doo Wop, sing along hip-hop, without losing its base of bars and boom-bap. While it is not a KRS-One type of album, it stays true to the hip-hop genre and breaks away at the same time. The fantastic track (and my personal favorite on the album), “Whybother,” is a great example of this. Behind a piano loop and snare kick that give an optimistic feel, Sene counters this with pessimistic lines, a perfect match (opposites attract homie) that make for a standout track; it has the best hook of the many great ones on this album, “I don’t know why/ I even bother at all/ ‘cause if I didn’t have no bills to pay/ I’d probably chill and let my skills decay.” “Wonthousandgirls” also has an insane chorus and, along with a sample that gives a mental picture of Willy Wonka and his oompa-loompas in unison singing, tells of Sene’s desire to not settle down. The song gives a feel of a play for a video, with Sene walking down the boulevard singing, “I’m falling in loooooove.” “Everydejavu” is an outstanding song on the second half on the album, with not only a hypnotizing hook, but it may be the best song lyrically, as Sene rides the beat just right and delivers his best verse on the album in the second verse of the song, “Plus I got the fly lid I could have did without/ but now who’s counting?/ surely not me need to get me into counting/ whatever he account for/dollars aint amounting/ I’d cried out for help hell I know nobody hear/ my voice bounce back, the echo was resounding.”
Blu’s production shines through on the album. His sampling is right on point, and every snare or kick or piano key is just in place centered around the sample. An example of this is “Eyecry- The Before” as the “cry” sample is backed with hard hitting snares and this blends in perfectly with the zombie like hook that Sene recites. This is all evident in the first 15 seconds of the song. Another well produced track ,the single off the album, “Quarterwatersupporter” has an array of production elements in it. With a moaning sample that is in perfect melody with the bass line, kicks and piano loops that fade in and out, Sene seems the most energized on this track than any other. “Wonlover” shows a more relaxing beat from Blu, with several piano loops of different sounds, a violin melody in the background and a “check it out” sample to reel the hip hop essence back in, Sene expresses his love for his lady, Hip-Hop.
Blu’s impression on this album is evident, as it has the listener reminiscing of Blu’s debut album, Below the Heavens, and establishes him as a primetime producer. Sene delivers as well, as like a quarterback with a dominating defense. He doesn’t have to go out and win the game; he just has to not lose it. This is not to imply that Sene is weak in any aspect. Every beat is rode to the max and Sene does supply some heart wrenching tales and great lines. But lyrics are not the strength of this album, and there are times where Sene’s laid back flow and voice hurt him. However, flaws are a rarity here, and A Day Late and a Dollar Short is a great album and is a breath of fresh air, as the East to West coast transaction is a success. So just as the last track on the album is “Justasuggestion,” so will be the closing of this review: go get this album. You won’t regret the 10 dollars you spend.
88/100
Whybother
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Everydejavu
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Eyecry-The Before
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Yo, tight review Jon. I absolutely love this album… been on constant rotation!
I grabbed it off the strength of Blu’s mention alone, as well. I had downloaded the SeNe & Sucio Smash Mixtape a few weeks ago as well, and a few EP tracks I had with Blu & SeNe from prior sessions were pretty dope too. Good disc, definitely. I’ll have to give it another round though with that rating – I didn’t enjoy it THAT much but it was a good purchase.
good review cough*strange journey volume 2*cough please
great ablum one of the better ones this year with fashawn and rae.
Great write up Jon. I’ll have to give this another listen cause I found myself bored with it. Off the strength of the review….another listen or two is in order.
Well i loved the album. its refreshing. but it did take a little time to grow on me, so it may be the same for some of you as well. @C-Villain- yea i was thinking the same thing, its album of the year nominee in my eyes im still on this album. i still gotta give Fahsawn the nod though
Not feeling Blu’s production (though I love Blu as a lyricist) and Sene puts me to sleep. 88/100 seems pretty generous, imo. The beats are kind of chaotic and sound like a poor attempt to perpetrate Exile. I’ve heard a lot of Blu’s beats and he seems to be progressing/growing. Blu, please go make the follow-up to BTH.
Not bad. I prefer Blu on the mic than behind the boards. Sene doesn’t really grab me as a listener.
good stuff Jon. I wanna give you writer feedback but Kev won’t give me your email because he thinks I’ll bite
Good stuff though, I too, found myself playing this a few times to see “what the fuss was about.” The lyricism is a strength, and the production really is a more-you-listen-the-more-you-like type of sound
did I say that? or are you just making things up again Deez? smh
Co-sign Admbmb, this is a little too over-hyped. There’s a few joints though.
I been bumpin nonstop witha few others i copped this year.
I love this project…EyesDry JusASuggestion EveryDejaVu WhyBother..
there aren’t many cats that come this hard lyrically anymore…
I’m replying late, but there’s a reason for it: I’m celebrating getting the CD in the mail! I downloaded it first and only had to listen to it once to know there was no way around this. Definitely one of 2009’s best. Although I was wondering where Blu was at first (didn’t know he was exclusively producin), I feel Sene held it down nicely on his own, he’s definitely got a voice of his own, not a “voice” in terms of sound but in terms of poetic voice, as in his vision of things. Also, I dig Blu’s production, it’s got an odd kind of rushed or half-assed feel to it but it all pulls together nicely and the grooves are deep