It is always difficult when an artist comes along talking about efforts to blow up and accompanies his endeavours with a title like "The Come Up", "The Warm Up", "Sideline Story". But that's enough about J. Cole because although Noah Caine's most recent effort, "The Pre-Season" is titled under a similar theme, he actually has a lot to say. Though the title would suggest yet another rise of the underdog tale, this mixtape isn't really an expression of the over-confident, boisterous rapper who is sure what is going to come his way. There is self doubt, not only with regards to himself but to the world as a whole littered through the tape and this is no criticism. In fact, it is extremely endearing. Of course, the tape does have its moments where Caine brags about his talent, indeed, it wouldn't really be hip/hop without this degree of showmanship. For example, in track 4 "The Crown", we are afforded a vision into "presidential suites at the weekend" as Caine rubbishes the claim he is the second coming and instead affirms he is in fact the first.
But the moments which make this tape so enjoyable are embodied in that very same track. Caine challenges Nas's concept of ruling the world, knocking it down in one fell swoop, stating, "I don't want certain parts of it". Such thought provoking lines are littered throughout the tape and Nas is clearly an influence. Caine takes the great rapper's ideas and builds on them in innovative ways, there is an inventiveness here that you do not often see. For instance, in "The Champion", he reflects on the idea that "Life is a bitch", saying that tonight she is "dressed as a slut". Caine is aware that the world is out to screw him and this line is reflective of this fact.
The highlight of the tape however, has got to be "The Chant", as the listener is introduced to these bizarre sounds of the Orient, which initially cause us to think "Oh God, how is this going to work", but then the drums kick in and the track is like a drug. The flow is aggressive and everything is perfect. There are some truly fantastic lines in here, as Caine plays on the word "prophet" and "profit" to incite interesting thoughts about Christianity and religion as perhaps fuelled by greed. The thought that must have gone into this track is inspiring.
It's a great tape, no doubt, but there are moments which are slightly disappointing, most notably in "The Prize", as Caine opens with "I got a short attention span but a long dick" which when you here the next line, doesn't really fit at all. It gives the impression that he was stuck with the number of syllables in that specific line and threw any old thing in there. The other issue I have with the tape revolves around the tracklist. Every track is "The something", "The Crown", "The Prize", "The Chant", "The Journey", "The Genesis". It is an unimaginatively titled tape which fails to do justice to the work within because every track has its moments of excellence. If I was to nitpick, then as a producer I would say that some of the snare sounds are a tad samey as well.
I am not going to let this negative nitpicking (by my own admission) overwhelm what is a truly fantastic tape with some excellent concepts. The hooks by and large are very listenable, indeed, many had me nodding my head in time while sat in the living room. (Got a few funny looks from passers by because for some reason I was wearing a sunhat indoors). I think Noah Caine is an excellent prospect and "The Journey" serves to illustrate this, it is an inventive look to the future as Caine reflects on what he hopes is going to happen.
POTENTIAL: 7.5/10- Caine is an exciting prospect and more people need to become aware of his talents. For content alone this would be an 8 and it is a good situation to be in when you are only letting yourself down with titles as this is such an easy area to correct.
High points: The Chant, The Journey, The Crown, The Genesis
Low points: Titles of the tracks, The Prize.
DOWNLOAD NOAH CAINE'S "THE PRE-SEASON" HERE:
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