Pat Maine - Night Time Medicine

Reviewed by: Corey Hoffy (10/03/11)

Pat Maine - Night Time Medicine
Release Date: September 2, 2011
Record Company: Unsigned

I used to enjoy hip-hop, especially when I was younger. I realize now that’s due in part to the rawness it used to represent, and the heart-on-sleeve approach in its conception. What’s true today, though, is that mainstream hip-hop is hardly what it used to be. Over-production is part of it; meaningless, and shallow lyrics are another. Pat Maine’s brand of hip-hop, excellently displayed in his newest EP Night Time Medicine, is a return to that rawness, but most importantly, a return to emotion.

“Oldy But A Goodie” has a traditional feel to it, featuring some impressive female backing vocals and a smooth, guitar-fueled flow. “Wants Like Needs” is a high point, where Maine really lets his lyrics take the helm, featuring lines like “I need a situation where my house is insulated by my pipe dreams” and "The world doesn't owe me something but it doesn't owe me nothing". Add in a catchy chorus and you have a perfectly accessible and radio-friendly hip-hop song. “People I Claim” continues the retro-ish sound, sounding a little at times like a decent Atmosphere track, while maintaining a sense of originality.

Night Time Medicine is more than a solid listening experience; it’s a needed lesson on what hip-hop should be about. Regardless of whether or not Maine attracts a huge audience or not, his success lies in how well he reaches that audience, and Maine succeeds in every possible way. There are minimal flaws, of course, such as a somewhat monotonous feel after subsequent listens, but I always found myself coming back to the album after a couple of hours, ready for more.

If Pat Maine is the future of hip-hop, which I hope he is, then a bright future it is indeed.

8/10

Recommended If You LikeRetro hip-hop, treating your wants like needs

Solid TracksOldy But A Goodie, Wants Like Needs, Woe

Track Listing1. Oldy But A Goodie
2. Safe & Sound
3. Wants Like Needs
4. People I Claim
5. Woe
Buy Night Time Medicine