The duo of Blu and Ta’Raach as C.R.A.C. Knuckles (the former pronounced ‘crass,’ and an acronym for ‘Collect Respect Anna Check’) turn in an early candidate for ‘WTF Album of the Year’ with The Piece Talks. Last year saw Blu turn heads with he and producer Exile’s Below The Heavens LP, while MC/knob twister Ta’Raach (a.k.a. Lacks) has years of work in Detroit’s indie hip-hop scene under his belt. Their group debut doesn’t play like a mash-up of Cali’s and The D’s respective hip-hop scenes, but instead as a trippy smorgasbord of sounds that manages to work. Those who cop based on the strength of Blu’s stream of consciousness verses from Heavens may be disappointed, as Ta’Raach’s engaging, genre-bending instrumentals often overpower Blu’s rhymes, no matter how potent they are. But when all the off-the-wall beats, skits, singing and random narratives settle, The Piece Talks is an experience that’ll make you press play again’whether it’s to understand it or to enjoy it.

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