Grieves Establishes Himself with New Album Together/Apart

Grieves is among the youngest and latest additions to the independent rap label Rhymesayers Entertainment that is well known for their founding rap duo Atmosphere as well as other notable acts such as Brother Ali and P.O.S., but even though Grieves is new to the table, his latest album is not one to be passed up on by fans of the independent and alternative rap genre.

Grieves is based out of Seattle as well as his right hand man, Budo, who works side by side with Grieves on the music production process and even at concerts where he is seen playing the trumpet, guitar, and piano. Together/Apart marks their second album together, and Grieves' third album overall (as well as a 10 song EP released last Spring after signing with Rhymesayers), but as the first new studio album since signing with Rhymesayers, this album has been released under by far the largest stage for Grieves yet.

If you go into listening to Together/Apart expecting a standard commercial hip-hop album, you will end up disappointed. The album is very focused on a consistent sound throughout the album, and does not include any breaks for attempted Top 40 singles. The production is unique, containing a bit of an electronic-jazzy sound at times, and has become the signature sound for Budo and as a whole the album slides right in as a familiar follow-up to their 2008 album 88 Keys and Counting.

Lyrically, the album takes on a melancholy tone like much of Grieves' music, and discusses the difficulties of being on the road touring all the time and a break-up Grieves' experienced since his last album.

One of the more unique elements of the album is the melodies, Grieves sings his own hooks and establishes some soft spoken melodies that contrast nicely against his rapping. (Now for some shameless boasting...) I had the pleasure of conducting a radio interview with Grieves a little more than a year ago and he expanded on how rap music was not even what he first took interest in and detailed that he really loves melodies, which appears true when listening to Together/Apart, because one of the more notable evolutions that have taken place since his last album is the improvement and increased presence of these softer-melodic choruses sang by Grieves.

Check out a couple songs below and you can buy Grieves album from Rhymesayer's official store, as well as iTunes, Amazon, or in major stores everywhere.