In At The Deep End (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Roll Deep

*Intro*

In At The Deep End is the title of the debut album by Roll Deep, the group which are most well-known for bringing you Wiley and the mecury music prize winner Dizzee Rascal. The East-London based group has been around for many years, mainly releasing underground work when the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Wiley were still part of the group, before they had broke off to do their own thing. This album is seen as being long-overdue, ...
...a vocalist (names and cartoon-pictures in the album booklet), and upon listening In At The Deep End, it seems as if it's a near-perfect mix. The majority of the tracks feature special guests doing their bit on the records too, adding a bit more quality to the album. The style of the music has to be labelled as grime and according to the online encyclopaedia 'Wikipedia' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grime) the definition of grime is "a musical ... more

*Intro*

In At The Deep End is the title of the debut album by Roll Deep, the group which are most well-known for bringing you Wiley and the mecury music prize winner Dizzee Rascal. The East-London based group has been around for many years, mainly releasing underground work when the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Wiley were still part of the group, before they had broke off to do their own thing. This album is seen as being long-overdue, and is their first release aimed at breaking a way into the mainstream music market. However it has definitely been worth the wait, as this CD is a great mix of grime and pop, bravely mixed by Roll Deep to create their own fresh and instantly recognisable style.

*Roll Deep*

Roll Deep consist of about 9 MC's and 3 DJ's and a vocalist (names and cartoon-pictures in the album booklet), and upon listening In At The Deep End, it seems as if it's a near-perfect mix. The majority of the tracks feature special guests doing their bit on the records too, adding a bit more quality to the album. The style of the music has to be labelled as grime and according to the online encyclopaedia 'Wikipedia' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grime) the definition of grime is "a musical offshoot of the early 21st century UK Garage scene that developed in London's East End between 2002-2004.' The style can be described as a mix between electronic music and hip hop, and is often broadcast by MC's on pirate radio, who practice their talents underground before even considering breaking into the mainstream.

*The Tracks*

Though there are many excellent stand-out tracks on the album, there are still a few tracks that don't really add anything to the album; they just seem to be on there to fill up some space which is a real shame. Probably the most recognisable track on the album is 'The Avenue', which was the first single that was released too. This track features clips from 'The Maisonettes' number one single in 1982, called 'Heartache Avenue'. On listening 'The Avenue' it is really similar to the original so the song is likely to be of interest of young and old music fans (though may not be listened to as favourably as the original, by the older music fans).
Another single from the album will be 'Shake A Leg' which is probably the albums stand-out track in my opinion.

*Track-Listing *

1. Intro
2. Flying Away (Featuring Alex Mills)
3. The Avenue
4. Show You (Featuring Jenna G)
5. Let it out
6. Bus Stop (Featuring Alex Mills)
7. Be Careful (Featuring Alex Cartana)
8. When I'm 'Ere
9. Western Skit
10. Shake A Leg
11. Remember The Days (Featuring Alex Mills)
12. People Don't Know (Featuring Donaeo)
13. Heat Up
14. Good Girl (Featuring J2K)
15. Poltergeist (Remix)

1. Intro **- I'm not usually a fan of intros on CD albums, as I find they usually are a waste of space and not something which you enjoy listening to. On this album though it feels appropriate as it makes the beginning of the album sound like an episode of transformers and raises the excitement before the actual album starts.

2. Flying Away ** - An average opening track, consisting of electronic beats and sounds, with some quite nice female vocals, and Alex Mills rapping in the background.

3. The Avenue **** - A quality track which features samples from the original number one hit single in 1980 for The Maisonettes with their song Heartache Avenue. The Avenue sounds very similar, just with the verses different - with a different Roll Deep MC's rapping in each verse. This is a very catchy tune, and a single which might appeal to a broad-range of people and not just rap/grime fans.

4. Show You ** - Another average track, similar to Flying Away. It features electronic beats and sounds again, with female vocals in the background (Jenna G) and the Roll Deep members rapping throughout. Can get a bit boring after a few listens.

5. Let It Out ** - Quite simple and laid back, one of the more mellow tracks on the album. More electronic beats and use of a keyboard in the background, with more mc-ing.

6. Bus Stop **** - Another laid back and mellow track, really easy listening with quite a happy sound to it. Soft electronic beats throughout, guitar riffs and more female vocals in the background as well as the complimentary mc-ing thrown in.

7. Be Careful *** - A typical grimey track from Roll Deep, with the usual electronic beats, and same female vocals. Good-sounding beats throughout, a song which will probably grow on you with time.

8. When I'm 'Ere *** - Sounding extremely like one of Wiley's songs from his album Treddin' On Thin Ice, this is another quality track from the album, with its typical grimey attributes. Really heavy beats and great vocals make this a top track.

9. Western Skit * - Put on the album no doubt for its comic value, this track definitely breaks up the music a bit to give the listener a break, but it doesn't really serve much of a purpose other than that. Nothing musical and doesn't improve the album.

10. Shake A Leg ***** - The best track on the album in my opinion, a really catchy and energetic tune, definitely a number-10 hit for Roll Deep. A lot happier-sounding, less-dark and less-grimey then the rest of the tracks. This track serves a refreshing and fresh tune on the album and makes up for the previous track.

11. Remember The Days *** - Another great tune, with a more emotional feel to it. A really catchy tune with great vocals (featuring Alex Mills again), and sounds quite different to the rest of the tracks.

12. People Don't Know *** - Typical grime again with this track, sounding similar to Wiley's style with the same type of electronic beat. Another great tune with a different style chorus, featuring Donaeo on the vocals.

13. Heat Up ** - Not one of the best tracks on the album by a long shot, sounds really repetitive and very similar to other tracks on this album. Can get quite boring and quite drawn out. Nothing new or different on this track.

14. Good Girl *** - Another interesting track on the album, with great vocals (J2K features on this track) and a catchy-slow beat. One of the slower and more emotional tracks of the album, but still a quality track.

15. Poltergeist Remix - *** The album ends with a great song, with a real fast and exciting beat, and some quality fast-beat mc-ing. One of the fastest beats on the album makes this track stand out from the rest, and giving a different mix of grime and garage.

*CD Booklet and Design*

Throughout the album front cover and booklet there is a cartoon-style, which is also evident on the beginning of the album on the Intro track, and also on the video for Roll Deep's first single The Avenue. The front cover of the album is really colourful, and features cartoon caricatures of all members of Roll Deep. This is quite original and makes them seem more interesting, and probably helps Roll Deep appeal to a younger market too.

Inside the album's booklet you will find information on all of the tracks, and a 'thanks' page where all members of Roll Deep say their thanks. You won't find a lyrics section in the booklet, though you can't really blame Roll Deep for not including this as it would take up so many pages no doubt. You can also find information on purchasing ringtones and wallpapers for your mobile on the back few pages. The CD itself contains graffiti-style 'Roll Deep' writing, with the Relentless-record labels logo too. Overall from the album design and packaging you get the feel that this is aimed at quite a young market, and perhaps that Roll Deep don't take themselves too seriously, maybe even that they under-estimated their potential success and the effect that the album would have on the public.

*Overall*

In At The Deep End is a quality debut album by Roll Deep, and It is obvious that this is a group which is going to emulate the success that both Wiley and Dizzee Rascal have had with their own-new style of music that is grime. The album has some excellent tracks in The Avenue, Shake A Leg and When I'm 'Ere, and The Avenue has already reached number 5 in the UK Top 40 Charts. The album has gone down a lot better then Roll Deep would have ever expected, and their own special mix of pop-and hip hop is already turning out to be a great invention. Though the album does have a few dull and useless tracks, which you feel have been implemented to fill up some space, the rest of the tracks definitely make up for this. If you're already a Dizzee Rascal or Wiley fan then you'll love this, or if you're a fan of hip-hop and feel like trying something a bit different, then this up-and-coming UK group are sure to be of interest to you.
 

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