Mic The Finite 'Grow Up'

Man Bites Dog Records 2005

1. Intro
2. Grow Up
3. It stands true
4. People Watching
5. Toons #1
6. Illusions
7. Wordplay feat. Cashus Flow
8. Crews Control [Live]
9. Toons #2
10. Pain Game
11. Hurt So Much
12. Dumber...
13. Toons #3
14. Mr. Knowitall
15. There he goes again
16. Kids
17. The Garden

Production Credits: Cashus Flow [1, 16], DJ Blake 9 [10], Paradox [2,6,7], Brahm [18], J Scrilla [4, 8, 12, 14, 15, 17], Zacharia Wise [5, 9, 13]

Grow Up! As a posterboy for my very own lazy day laced, fuck authority and responsibility gilted generation - I can't even fathom how many times someone has told me to "grow up". Sifting through empty bottles, optimo intestines, and an extensive cd collection- Hip Hop's
very own Spud Webb has finally slam dunked us with a album FULL of adolescent anarchy and has perfected the way of telling these suburban tales by taking us through a rollercoaster ride via intelligent toungue. When even a lot of independent hip hop was beginning to sound alike - The 5 foot nothing 'Mic The Finite' torched the refresh button with
mic in hand and delivered a highly energetic euphoria of slithering slam poetry like rhymes over forceful yet frivolous production [Cashus Flow, DJ Blake 9, Paradox, Brahm, J-$crilla, Zacharia Wise]. If The Finite is this dope at this age...lets hope he doesn't 'grow up'.

1. Intro - Various skits throughout the album done by Finite's little niece [maybe cousin?] gives 'Grow Up' a childish wrapping around such a grown up and powerful package. Her adorable voice ties in the concept very well.Mic rips the intro with ease- teasing and leading into the upcoming tracks...

2. Grow Up [Rating: 5/5] - I've had various conversations with friends, Uncles, Parents- and attempted to explain my generation. I've come up with 'Millenium Hippies', Generation Peter Pan, etc. But instead of mouthing off asinine anecdotes I'm just gonna pop in this track.A true anthem. So many lines hit the domepiece its almost too comfortable to listen to. Paradox on the boards - You can swim in his talent. Maybe my favorite on the disc.

3. It Stands True [Rating:4/5] - Beatbox is the landscape where Mic rips a short, sweet and strong message. "With Traffic jams, job interviews, and a million paths to choose it stands true- I'm only me." This line stands out to me the most because as I write this review I stand smack dab in the middle of this song. I see myself as this character he is perceiving- Early 20s, finding out the hard way what it takes to become a man-- what it is like to grow up. The steps, the confusion, the drinking, smoking, prison sentences and trouble with the law. Its always the albums that speak to you about YOU which remain in the lifetime rotation. Finite hasn't left the changer yet.

4. People Watching [Rating:4/5] - J-Scrilla blesses us with a nice bumpable beat as Finite pulls up a chair and gives us an audio view through his eyes as he people watches. A cynical but honest outlook - I wonder what people think when I walk by? I wonder if people know what Im thinking. Ha.

5. Toons #1 [Rating: 5/5] - First of the toon tracks! Mic tells various short tales of characters giving each of them 'toon aliases'. These are some of my favorite tracks. Comedy and creativity - Shades of Funk Doobiest and Kool Keith Cartoon Caper tracks.

6. Illusions [Rating: 5/5] - Paradox is fucking ill. Period. A serious yet enchanting beat that reminds me of belly dancing ghosts. Definitely a pump your fist in the air vibed track [so dope live]- very energetic and vigorous...especially the subject.

7. Wordplay [Rating: 3.5/5] - Another Paradox beat layed with vigor yet outlined in mysterious cool. First time I've ever heard Cashus Flow. Kind of a swerve from the first 6 tracks but still didn't lose heat.

8. Crews Control (Live) [Rating: 3.5/5] - Not a lot of cats put or have the guts to put a LIVE track on their disc much less a debut. But when you have stage presence like the firey Finite [and DJ Sound], you can get away with it.

9. Toons #2 [Rating: 5/5] - HAHAHA! Disney style. I love this shit.

10. Pain Game [Rating: 5/5] - "Intoxicated with young mens attention." Starts off with a tale of a girl minus a father figure and her journey to find that missing void. I really dig this track especially when you know and have dated a few of those. The song transgresses into more stories that Im sure everyone can relate to or have at least known.

11. Hurt So Much [Rating: 4/5] - I really like the structure of this track. Sound quality doesn't match the others- but it never takes away from the passion in Finites voice or storytelling ability.

12. Dumber [Rating: 4.5/5] - "I dont know what I want but I want it now!" The Veruca Salt syndrome has consumed us all. I love this line and this track. Another one that hits the personal bubble. Its like the lyrics came from my life pages.

13. Toons #3 [Rating 5/5] - Hanna Barbera time.

14. Mr. Knowitall [Rating 3.5/5] - As we start to reach the tail end of this beast its really easy to say Finite has not lost a degree of heat nor ripeness. Raw and refreshing from start to finish.

15. There He Goes Again [Rating 4/5] - The chorus is my favorite part of the powerful song. As well as this line..."A 22 year old american mess..." You rang??

16. Kids [Rating: 5/5] - On point and beautiful. In all honesty this album could be written in a comic bubble coming from my head as I stare at the window. Its almost weird. Finite's storytelling and delivery is something that only comes along once and awhile but stays fossilized por vida.

17. The Garden [Rating: 5/5] - Dope beat by J-Scrilla. A PERFECT ending from start to finish...couldn't have wrapped up this debut release any better. After tales of akward confusion, addiction, mental tragedy, and heartbreak-
Finite smooths the rigidness by telling us--"We choose our own paths...only
you can hold YOU back from your dreams." Truth.

Final Thought:
The movie KIDS by Larry Clark has thrusted the tough 'teen world' into peoples faces the best so far but still comes off as highly unlikely or a glimpse with a far fetched finale. Mic the Finite has hit the bullseye 17 times in a row in this album and I am thrilled I caught the live show and then copped the disc for 8 bucks. Its honest, real, creative, fresh and is
delivered clear and concise like hip hops first young adult book on tape/cd. Cheers to Mic the Finite for a classic disc in my eyes. It really did move me in various ways. Its albums like these which make you truly appreciate the power of music [especially my true love hip hop] and life no matter how twisted it can get. As a self proclaimed 'amazing ear for talent' I can say with confidence that Mic the Finite WILL blow up as time ensues. The 'Slamcee', as I like to call him, has a true gem to catapult him into recognition he deserves as an artist. And please do not take this final line as a emcee comparison because that is not my intention...but...

Finite is the salt to the 'Slug'. You all ready to grow up and listen to a incredible album??

Final Rating: 4/5

You can contact Mic the Finite at: Micfinite@hotmail.com

If you are interested in copping this cd my best guess is to email Mic The Finite at his email address because I do not have the proper information at this time. I will let you all know as soon as I can though.

Finite tours the Virginia area and has done shows with Cappadonna, Louis Logic, Adeem [Glue], Educated Consumers, Echo Boomers, Mic The Ikon King, etc.