Album Review: Point Ash “Sight Beyond Sight”
Point Ash “Sight Beyond Sight”
Released: 2010
Reviewed By: DJ Gravity
Committee Rating: 6.65 (of 10)
[xrr rating=6.6.5/10]
Point Ash is a self proclaimed sedentary Lyricist, according to Point Ash’s bio, from Gary, IN. He delivers a vocal style that has a definite taste of Outkast (specifically Andre 3000) mixed with creative beats in a wide range from Ash and Pastuh Stu’s “futuristic production dream machine known as FAITHGrind,” along with a bit of comedy, grit and content heavily focused on Jesus Christ. As far as whether the moniker of “Lyricist” is apt? Absolutely!
Sight Beyond Sight is a bit different than most albums you will get your hands on. First off, this is only 11 tracks which includes four tracks each under 3 minutes, three of which are under 2 minutes, and only one of them being a skit (the album intro). That means this is a really short “album.” But maybe Point Ash said it appropriately in “I Don’t Care NEway:”
“You can say what you wanna, but I don’t care anyway. Get mad if you gonna, but I don’t care anyway. Got give the message cause he’s coming back any day. How we do it? Any way. You don’t wanna? Get away!”
Okay, well the context of that song really has nothing to do with my short album dig, but it certainly describes Point Ash’s commitment to unabashedly putting Christ first in his craft. I just wish there was more of it in terms of the number of tracks. Of course, that’s only if the tracks are good and I want to listen to them. Well, I guess my wish infers the answer to such curiosity.
So let’s break this down.
The intro will throw you off cause, well, it’s just strange. It’s like an old southern gospel nursery rhyme followed by an even more comical twist. If you last long enough to listen to the whole thing you might just get a chuckle too.
The second track, “100 Proof Chris,t” is essentially a musical interlude that really gives you no idea what the rest of the tracks will sound like apart from the keyboard run at the end of the track. Personally, I thought this was one of the best tracks on the album despite not being an actual song. Weird huh?
Moving on is a track many might have heard, “All Hail to the Kang,” which is really more of a half a track, essentially perpetuating a mixtape feel. That track is followed by the first full length song on the album, “We About 2,” which probably gives you the first real taste of what the rest of the tracks will be like in sound and style. Also, here’s where you really get a taste of Ash’s lyricism and standard delivery.
Next is the title track, “Sight Beyond Sight,” which just happens to be my least favorite track. Why? Because the beat gives me a headache, is really distracting and becomes monotonous quickly despite the clear attempts to do otherwise. Lyrically this might be a great track, but the beat ends any chance of it actually being a great track. My recommendation is to try it out for yourself and see if you agree. I will note that if there was any question to the obvious influence from Outkast on Point Ash, it is clearly evident as Ash flips their “So Fresh, So Clean” hook on the bridge. Say what you wanna about biting or not, I just wish it happened earlier in the song.
“Let Him Ryde” starts off groovy and slides into a distinctive lyrical style of Kanye West’s “Two Words.” Mixing the East Coast lyricism with some southern swag really works well, especially with this kind of beat. This is not a song that is going to jump out of the speakers and grab you, but it’s still a great song – especially if you like lyricism.
“Turn Up The Heat” is quite awkward at first, but has a nice hook, which again may make a person think… ‘Andre 3000? No wait, is that Big Boi? No it’s Dre… no it’s neither. I’m confused?’ Look, I admire lots of artists myself and we all take bits of them with us and into our style, but sometimes you can go a bit too far. That’s all I’m going to say on that issue. Ash becomes a lot more playful with this track continuing to push his penchant for lyricism, so props there. In reality, this is one of the best songs on the album and one of the most creative and fun. Despite the awkward beginning this track does really reach through the speakers. Point Ash did more here than just write a strong song, he also performed it extremely well. And, if I might add, the production on this track from all perspectives is phenomenal especially towards the tail end of the track. This should be the single in my opinion.
So we all know how albums work by now. Typically after a few upbeat tracks, especially a really strong one, the next thing you’re going to come across is a slow and/or serious track. Well if this is when you think that kind of track would be inserted, well, you’re sorta right. “My L.O.V.E Song” continues to have the Andre 3000 style, but it is honestly a good track. I’m not so big on the slower joints so I have a harder time with these tracks, but it doesn’t turn me off. Better yet, Ash’s playfulness with his adlibs make a slow and typically boring track interesting and entertaining and not really seem like a slow joint at all. And maybe it isn’t… hmmm?
“Nuthin But Blessed,” is a chill testimonial type track and has another strong hook and bridge that will have you singing along. Again, this track is stronger going out than coming in so give it a bit and it will settle on you. After a couple listens the hook will stick in your head, or at least it did mine – until the next track when a new hook will get stuck.
Here’s the previously referenced “I Don’t Care NEway.” To be honest, there are things I do like about this track – specifically the message and intent. However, it got real annoying really fast. It’s something about the beat I think. Everything really fit together, it just doesn’t work for me and is very different from most of Ash’s other tracks. Check it out for yourself and make your own opinions, but this is on my proverbial ‘hated it’ list.
The album closes with “What U In It 4,” which is one of the best tracks on the album, at least till the end of it. Go out on top with heat and fire, right? Well that’s exactly what Point Ash did which was take it to the pinnacle – then fall off. This track has crazy energy, sick lyrics and steez and a dope beat. Then is the ‘thanks you’ bit that I could have done without. Sure the “this is not going to make the album anyway” bit garnered a chuckle. But maybe that’s because it was exactly what I was thinking… ‘why did that stuff make the album and get put on that track?’ It certainly detracts from the quality of the song as a whole. As far as it being a “Benediction” as the sub title refers, well, there definitely is not a benediction of any kind so don’t expect one or think your version is missing something.
So in summation: Point Ash’s Sight Beyond Sight has very strong hooks and lyricism and is heavily focused on Christ drenched content and has a couple stand out tracks. While there are definite strengths, the album is just too short. Furthermore, most of those few tracks are just good instead of being great. The production varies a bit but is pretty good. There is a definite feel of copying Andre 3000 with a bit of Ludacris in some bits and quite different vocally in others. One consistent sound is generally a good idea, but this feels like little bits fitted together. Yet, overall this album has more positives than negatives qualitatively and I recommend adding it to your music collection – for a fair price.
Music: 6 of 10
Flow / Delivery: 7 of 10
Lyricism: 9 of 10
Content: 8.5 of 10
Creativity / Originality / Relevancy: 3.75 of 10
Credibility / Confidence: 6.75 of 10
Personality / Character: 7.5 of 10
Presentation Quality: 8 of 10
Overall Production Quality: 6 of 10
Potential Impact: 4 of 10
