:: Animal House

Angie Martinez

By the late 90’s Angie Martinez had enjoyed success as a hip-hop/R&B DJ on New York radio station Hot 97. In 2001, Angie decided to take her passion for music one step further and release her first solo album ‘Up Close and Personal’ featuring Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Prodigy, Jay-Z, Wyclef and Busta Rhymes. ‘Animal House’ is Angie’s second album produced in association with her new production team of the same name. Following the two vocal styles made popular and commercially successful by Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliott, ‘Animal House’ lacks its own distinctive identity.
Like ‘Up Close and Personal’ this album features an array of hip-hop artists. ‘What’s That Sound’ features Missy Elliott in a quintessential Missy Elliott track. ‘Take You Home’ is a highlight of the album. Featuring Kelis, this track is a welcomed relief from the constant throbbing of the speak/rapping and electronic effects and beats. The Missy Elliott flavour continues throughout the album, in particular ‘We Can Get It On’, which parallels Missy Elliott’s ‘Get Your Freak On’ not only in title. The melody and programmed beats create a sound that is disconcertingly similar to the Elliott hit. Fat Joe, Lil' Mo, N.O.R.E and Petey Pablo make leave less of an impression with their adept but uninspiring appearances. Displaced banter interspersed between tracks is frustrating and distracting. American men taking the mickey, with poor cockney and Jamaican accents are neither funny nor entertaining. Sometimes it is best to leave studio antics at the studio. ‘Animal House’ is disappointing, despite the numerous collaborations with successful artists. However, if you are partial to female rappers and are content listening to highly influenced beats this one might be worth a look.