Time Machine

Life is Expensive

Glow in the Dark Records

Rating: 3.5/4

If ever an album title accurately reflected the lyrical content within, Time Machine nailed it with this one.  Don’t let the attention-grabbing cover art form your opinion entirely though; few ego-driven bling and booty anthems here. Truly a reflection of everyday thoughts and experiences, the good and bad of getting through life which we all enjoy and endure, Life is Expensive is not the average hip-hop release by any stretch.  These guys can take an otherwise passing glance, or moments randomly plucked from a million millisecond-long thoughts, and showcase them as an important piece in a larger puzzle.  Musically speaking, catchy bouncing beats meet with softened mellow jams, but it’s all carried out with old school hip-hop spirit.  Like spoken word, only more fun as a summertime soundtrack. Loosely think of Slick Rick’s storytelling style, occasionally spiced with guest female choruses, and then throw in a dash of ’70s funk and soul for good measure.  Maya Jupiter adds some female empowerment to the danceable “I Mean,” the bass beat body-moving groove of “The Groove That Just Won’t Stop” makes it really shine, and  “We’re Making a Video” simply seals the deal of a great sound scheme. Time Machine’s substance and often-comic interpretations of life make even a dull day fun and important, painting aural portraits of all that is personal, sexy, annoying and joyful.