Blue Brain

Erik Schrody, better known by his stage name Everlast, is an Irish-American rapper and singer-songwriter, best known for his hit “What It’s Like“, and for his unique genre-crossing mix of hip-hop and acoustic-based rock music. Love, War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford is the fifth solo album released by Everlast. The album was released on September 23, 2008. So why am I reviewing it now?

The album went fairly un-noticed or reviewed by the mainstream media, which is unfortunate because it may be Everlast’s greatest work. With the exception of opening track “Kill The Emperor,” the album largely abandons any hip-hop influence one might expect, instead delivering dark tales and gritty personal musings all threaded together by Everlast’s baritone crooning and a gang of live instruments.

Is Everlast believable in this darker, grittier tone and is it sustainable for a entire album? The songs come off sounding very genuine and introspective. Although his vocal range is limited and this can cause some songs to sound repetitive– there is a great variety of instrumentals and moods. From the “Insane In the Membrane“-esque cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues“, the slow bluesy ballad of “Anyone” to the frustrated barebones acoustic “Friend” or the more upbeat twisted love-song “Dirty”. Everlast does not disappoint.

“Letters Home From The Garden of Stone” is a chilling track written from the perspective of a soldier in doubt, fearful and missing home.

“Sitting restless under the moonlight, I know I’m getting ready to kill, They say we’re going in with the daylight. Ma (Mom), I don’t want to but I will… Coz I won’t know the man who kills me, and I don’t know these men I kill.. I pray to god for my salvation.. wash away the blood I spill”

“Stone In My Hand” and “Naked” are two other stand-out quality tracks.  You can’t help but respect Everlast’s artistic reinvention and evolution. While many artists stay safely within their cookie-cutter dimensions, Love, War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford is an example of an artist successfully walking a new path. While some fans may be disappointed by the new direction, other listeners are bound to become fans as a result of it.

Check this album out– it’s one of 2008′s best.