Cody Miles – Apocrypha

Released: 1/15/2012

Reviewed by: BWD

Rating: 4.8 (Out of 10)

[xrr rating=4.9/10]

Ever try and say something but have a lot of trouble actually saying it? Some of you know what I’m talking about. You got a hankering to speak your mind but it always comes out wrong. Maybe your opinions are too sharp and edgy, offending everyone in shouting distance of your latest rant. Or, you’re too awkward to communicate your thoughts in an exciting manner. Perhaps your deep and insightful reflections in life sounds perfect…in your head. To the masses, you’re a space cadet spouting off hopelessly random non-sequiturs.  Maybe, like this guy*, you just need to enunciate. All that being, when you don’t communicate well, your opinions and message will suffer. Cody Miles, I hope you’re listening.

Apocrypha, a seven song LP, suffers from a very below average flow, and a grating cadence. The intro, “Hide My Shame,” contains a mess of a sung hook. CM’s wavering, (heavily) computer-assisted vocals are aiming for eerie, but instead land on irritating. This same problem, a grating flow, follows through much of the project. While CM’s timing is decent, his words feel forced through most of the project. Awkward, over emphatic stresses on on words dominate pretty much every verse. Cody’s a guy that could greatly benefit from avoiding using a “rap voice” and trying to rhythmically find his voice.

While I don’t have a whole lot of positive things to say, Apocrypha isn’t all bad. On the contrary, the actual content throughout it is exceptional. “Gomer’s Song”, features Cody ambitiously telling the story of the loose Biblical prostitute* and its lesson for listeners today. Besides this song, you can tell through the short project that he’s always interested in being real with his audience and sharing from the heart. “Simple Man,” featuring Manchild (of Mars ILL fame) exemplifies his authentic approach to every rhyme.

Cody, like most young emcees–I’d wager many veterans would resonate with this–is on the long-suffering search to find his own voice. Fortunately, he’s already got the substance. Hard work will bring the style. Looking forward to his next effort.

1. Music – 3
2. Flow – 2
3. Creativity / Originality – 6
4. Relevancy – 7
5. Content & Character – 7
6. Credibility & Confidence – 5
7. Personality – 4
8. Presentation Quality – 5
9. Overall Production Quality – 5
10. Potential Impact – 4

*No offense for the hip hop GWB fans out there. Just found that funny, and illustrative!
** Yep, Gomer is her name.* The Bible is fun, yo!
***For reals!