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Exclaim! - Album Review (June 2004)
Offsides - Foul Language [Odouble F Records/URBNET]
By Thomas Quinlan


The debut album by Mount Real quartet Offsides is an enjoyable, if sometimes
frustrating, experience. Foul Language is a long album, and the fat should
be trimmed, starting with the intro and opening immediately with "Ukraine"
instead, a better introduction to the group (and album) anyway. It would
also be wise to use producer CityParks more in the future. He adds that
extra touch that makes a beat stand out. Whenever a co-producer interferes
or someone else handles the production, the results are more often than not
generic. Rappers Bailey, Lo'Key and Malicious try their best to overcome the
odds, but it's not a pretty or interesting sight. Still, Offsides can sound
great. They're best at crowd-rocking club anthems like "Banging," a funky
ode to women, or their thuggish riot-starter "Throw Something." Plus,
Offsides get lyrical with some impressive alliteration on "C.K.I.K.," pull
the card of a local, unnamed group on the scathing "2:55," and show a sense
of humour throughout a number of songs and interludes. Fourth member DJ D.R.
One adds cuts throughout, giving the album that old school party vibe. Foul
Language has the potential for more, but ultimately it's still a very good
album. Although I'll never understand how "Hipnosys" made it onto the
twelve-inch.
~ By Thomas Quinlan
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