It’s been close to four years since Grynch released a full-length record but the Ballard MC hasn’t been spending his downtime resting on his laurels. If you’ve been paying attention to local hip-hop then you know Grynch has been quite prolific in the past few years dropping a mixtape, two EPs and showing up as a guest artist on a multitude of tracks.
Grynch’s third proper album, Perspective, drops today and the album shines a new light on a rapper who is likely best known by most as “the Volvo song guy.” Throughout the record Grynch not only shows he’s got some highly-respectable chops as a MC he also shows how highly respected he has become locally and nationally. The album features guest spots aplenty (seven out of Perspective’s 13 songs include a guest singer or rapper) and solid production by Jake One and Budo, making Perspective Grynch’s best work to date.
Things gets off to a solid start with its title track which also serves as a mission statement of sorts for Grynch letting listeners know a lot has changed since his “My Volvo” days. “So Far” picks it up a but with a somewhat aggressive beat by Jake One and a guest verse by albino Ryhme Sayers MC Brother Ali, making for perhaps the whitest rap song to ever come out of Seattle. “I’m Good” is a fun, laid back joint featuring Sol. Just about every time these two team up it makes for a good listen and “I’m Good” feels like a track that will be a solid marker of both MCs while they’re at the top of their game.
Perhaps the most interesting guest verse comes from Fatal Lucciauno on “The Twilight Zone.” Hearing Fatal’s hardened flow contrasting with Grynch’s style makes for a nice change of pace near the middle of the record. Another collaboration of note is the love song “In the Rain” which features Mailce & Mario Sweet. It’s a bit of an uncharacteristic turn for Grynch but it plays well on the album and it’s nice to see him flex his versatility.
But Perspective isn’t all guest spots as Grynch does some standout work on his own too. “Mister Rogers” is one of the stronger songs on the album with its verses showing daily life from Grynch’s Ballard-centric point-of-view. Later on the album he gets into party mode with “Too High.” Theses songs and others on the record show that while Grynch could be considered a collaborator extraordinaire he’s at his best working solo and they give Perspective the Grynch touch it needs.
Grynch celebrates the release of Perspective at Neumos tonight with a show that features The Bar (Bambu & Blue Scholars’ Prometheus Brown), Chev and DJ Swervewon ($10, 8 p.m.)
