I usually don’t do album reviews on WritersBlockMedia Dot Net because Julia cuts the check for me to write reviews for Ozone. But I will make exceptions for certain people and the homie D. Swain is one of those people.

Danny!, South Carolina’s best kept secret, will release his latest independent project on July 17th but R.E. has the album in his possession right now because I’m important like that. So I’ve decided to do a Bol style album review since it’s only an 8-track EP and it won’t take me all day.

Now You’re Back

Danny! begins where Charm left off and as the SC rapper/producer begins to kick rhymes, you’ll notice some improvement in his lyrics and flow. The beat switches halfway through as an instrumental plays but both beats are better than anything on T.I. Vs T.I.P. but that’s neither here nor there.

The World Is Yours

Here, D. Swain rhymes about his success amidst the doubters and naysayers. The track kinda drags but Swain keeps it entertaining with punchlines like, “You tried to deny me but I don’t give a flying fuck/I’m on iTunes, you’re on iSuck.”

Rhyme Writer Crime Fighter

Danny! rambles about being some kinda rapper/superhero. I’m not sure what the fux he’s talking about but the concept is different.

Press Conference

On this one, Danny! answers questions from the media about Def Jux, the Grammys and being overlooked. Another brilliant concept and ill sample on the production. Danny! does kinda rap off beat but for some reason that shit sounds dope.

Cafe Surreal, Pt. 2

A remake of one of my least favorite songs from Charm = my least favorite song on Danny Is Dead until Swain flips the beat at the halfway mark to something I can rock with. Swain has more originality in this track than most rappers have during their whole career.

Fly, Pt.2

Another remix of a Charm track, where Danny! raps about flying away from his problems. Not really as good as the original but pretty good nonetheless.

Check It Out

Danny! takes his “A Tribe Called Quest on acid” comparisons to the proverbial next level on this Tribe “Find A Way” sampled track. Swain kicks some game to some dame but it’s not that cheesy “chick track” that most rappers do. For the record, this is my favorite track on the EP.

Outro (…Dead?)

I think we’re supposed to get the feeling Danny! is dead on the outro because of ambiance sirens and a lot of commotion going on. The EP ends with a Danny! instrumental (producers like doing shit like that) but the beat is tight and somewhat relaxing, so it’s cool to vibe to.

I can’t say Danny Is Dead matches the Grammy-considered work of Charm but this EP is filled with musical brilliance. D. Swain’s atypical production carries the EP and Danny’s newfound confidence as a MC makes him a bona fide rapper/producer.

Danny! goes in a completely different direction on this one but the originality and creativity along with Swain’s witty rhymes are enough for me to give Danny Is Dead 4 out 5 Chick-fil-a sandwiches.

You can pre-order Danny Is Dead here.

And hit Danny! on myspace here.