The second release from Dialogue Elevaters’ co-founder Ernie Rhodes is full of head-bobbing East Coast style beats which complement Rhodes’ adept wordplay quite nicely. Rhodes’ is the Midwest’s answer to Talib Kweli, both in terms of delivery style and subject matter.
“The Orbital Effect” is a winning blend of braggadocio battle raps, party songs, and the occasional sobering narrative, which helps to balance things out a bit. “The Works [ get movin’ ]” is built around a bass groove that can only be supplied by the inimitable Twinkie Jiggles of Heiruspecs. “Fuck breakin’ the mold/I’m about to make a new one,” boasts Rhodes. “Jen Once Again” is a light-hearted party song about two drinking buddies who share benefits. “Jen is not my girl/but we’re more than just friends,” raps Rhodes. Despite the song’s subject matter, it’s amazingly tasteful. Things turn darker on “Undercurrent,” a Shakespearean tragedy of two lovers torn apart by addiction, which eventually leads to the suicides of the two hapless protagonists. “Connected” is a plea to abide by the golden rule, which Rhodes delivers in a way that is anything but preachy. In a year of huge local hip-hop releases, it’s easy to overlook an album like “The Orbital Effect;” however, to do so would be a serious mistake.
Rhodes’ has an easygoing delivery and he can spin a good yarn. His natural talent combined with guest appearances by the likes of Kanser’s New MC and Doomtree’s Dessa among others, make “The Orbital Effect” an incredibly solid record. The album also has very little filler, clocking in at a relatively breezy 51 minutes. Fans of quality underground hip-hop will undoubtedly find much to like on “The Orbital Effect”.
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