Album Review : Montien

Artist : Montien

Album Title : Montien II

Styles : Mainstream Hip-Hop / Electric Hip-Hop

Label : King Records
Reference Code : KICS-1143
Released : 2005/02/16

Running Time : 30:30

REVIEW >>>

In case you haven't been following the side-projects of the members from Nitro Microphone Underground you might have not heard of Montien, a project by Macka-Chin, Suiken and Tina (K.O.D.P.). How is Montien different than from their solo works or music they have done with their main group Nitro? The idea of the group since their formation in 2002 was to do music with more influence from different cultures and backgrounds and shape it into a package of hip-hop and r&b. In the time of the release of their first mini album as Montien in 2003 the Japanese media hilariously marketed them as Japan's Lucy Pearl but if you ask my opinion or anyone's opinion who's qualified to share their expertise with the community, they would say there's no visible similarities to the ear between the 2 groups.
But this is a good thing, Montien definitely is more than a money making attempt for the trio and while Macka-Chin and Suiken have been consistent through their whole career whether it is as solo or with their group they sound more home on this album than anything they have released in the past few years. Lyrically one might say they got more to offer on Nitro's works or on their own solo albums but there's a certain feeling that makes you appreciate their work on Montien, a weird feeling of knowing that the artist sounds 1 with the music and more relaxed about what they're doing. Drawing influence from cultures around the world has worked for Montien this time and it is also visible on the production of the EP. Tina is also one of Japan's best vocalists in R&B and her rich voice compliments the rapping duo greatly and definetely adds some good vibes to the songs. The album might not please the hardcore underground hip-hop fans because of the more mainstream approach but for those people normally scared of the mainstream, the album stays away from the cheese and bubblegum or bling bling or pop or whatever you want to call it. Another wacky award for productions goes to Twigy for "Get Away". Wacky but definitely nice.

In the end Montien II is an enjoyable experience all the way, maybe not a classic but an album that can be enjoyed by more underground oriented listeners as well as the more mainstream ones. The only weakness is the EP's length (25 minutes if you minus the 5 minutes of silence from between the last track and the hidden track) but to those wanting more of Montien should also purchase the first EP.

Rating :

Words By : Jesse Viinikainen

ADDITIONAL INFO >>>

Formerly known as Mongol, Suiken and Macka-Chin (from Nitro Microphone Underground) changed the name of the group when R&B singer Tina joined the duo to form Montien in 2004. As the title of the EP implies this is Montien's second release.

TRACKLIST & SOUND SAMPLES >>>

01. Martes
02. N.A.C.
03. San-Daddy
04. Get Away
05. Moon Erection
06. G.A.H.
07. Get Away (Remix) (Hidden Track)

Album Highlights are marked with this symbol

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	Artist : Montien Album Title : Montien II Styles : Mainstream Hip-Hop / Electric Hip-Hop Label : King Records Reference Code : KICS-1143 Released : 2005/02/16 Running Time : 30:30
REVIEW >>> In case you haven't been following the side-projects of the members from Nitro Microphone Underground you might have not heard of Montien, a project by Macka-Chin, Suiken and Tina (K.O.D.P.). How is Montien different than from their solo works or music they have done with their main group Nitro? The idea of the group since their formation in 2002 was to do music with more influence from different cultures and backgrounds and shape it into a package of hip-hop and r&b. In the time of the release of their first mini album as Montien in 2003 the Japanese media hilariously marketed them as Japan's Lucy Pearl but if you ask my opinion or anyone's opinion who's qualified to share their expertise with the community, they would say there's no visible similarities to the ear between the 2 groups. But this is a good thing, Montien definitely is more than a money making attempt for the trio and while Macka-Chin and Suiken have been consistent through their whole career whether it is as solo or with their group they sound more home on this album than anything they have released in the past few years. Lyrically one might say they got more to offer on Nitro's works or on their own solo albums but there's a certain feeling that makes you appreciate their work on Montien, a weird feeling of knowing that the artist sounds 1 with the music and more relaxed about what they're doing. Drawing influence from cultures around the world has worked for Montien this time and it is also visible on the production of the EP. Tina is also one of Japan's best vocalists in R&B and her rich voice compliments the rapping duo greatly and definetely adds some good vibes to the songs. The album might not please the hardcore underground hip-hop fans because of the more mainstream approach but for those people normally scared of the mainstream, the album stays away from the cheese and bubblegum or bling bling or pop or whatever you want to call it. Another wacky award for productions goes to Twigy for "Get Away". Wacky but definitely nice. In the end Montien II is an enjoyable experience all the way, maybe not a classic but an album that can be enjoyed by more underground oriented listeners as well as the more mainstream ones. The only weakness is the EP's length (25 minutes if you minus the 5 minutes of silence from between the last track and the hidden track) but to those wanting more of Montien should also purchase the first EP. Rating : Words By : Jesse Viinikainen
ADDITIONAL INFO >>> Formerly known as Mongol, Suiken and Macka-Chin (from Nitro Microphone Underground) changed the name of the group when R&B singer Tina joined the duo to form Montien in 2004. As the title of the EP implies this is Montien's second release.
TRACKLIST & SOUND SAMPLES >>> 01. Martes 02. N.A.C. 03. San-Daddy 04. Get Away 05. Moon Erection 06. G.A.H. 07. Get Away (Remix) (Hidden Track) Album Highlights are marked with this symbol