Since 1997, rap group People Under the Stairs (PUTS) has made its living swimming against the hip-hop current. Members Thes One and Double K have always been known for their creative, vintage-sounding, laid-back production style, which blends perfectly with the rhythm of their rhymes and their general message: Make and love music for music's sake. Though it has yet to score chart-topping success, the duo has developed a large and loyal fan base, as well as a reputation for engaging live performances. Earlier in 2009, SPIN magazine said of their set at Bonnaroo, "The Best … Period."
With their seventh full-length release, "Carried Away," People Under the Stairs show off their skills as wordsmiths and their propensity for making intricate beats. In every song, reflective lines mixed with funny verses and throwback beats keep things complex. Tracks are danceable but relaxed, and witty, honest verses make this a quality hip-hop album.
The track "Much Too Much" features social commentary on both the state of hip-hop culture and the band itself. The late '90s and earlier part of this decade have seen what many would call the death of hip-hop as artists have begun to shy away from the classic skills of MCing, DJing and break dancing. While they don't dance (though their attempt in the video for "Trippin' at the Disco" is good for a laugh), Thes One and Double K produce every track on their album and do all of their scratching with real vinyl.
The rhyming takes a somber note in reference to the gang wars that erupted in the mid '90s during the height of gangster rap's popularity. In one line Thes One declares, "Too many of my rap heroes are dead ... moment of silence, too many drugs, gangbangin' and violence." Through these verses, PUTS tries to urge others to stop putting so much importance on ego, money and revenge.
Both members hit an introspective note during the song, pointing out personal flaws and idiosyncrasies. Double K remarks, "Ohhh, I just fell off the stage/ Tried to crip walk to ‘Acid Raindrops'/ Too much booze and too much to lose." The two rappers have an uncanny ability to convey vivid descriptions of their everyday lives through song and never hesitate to include embarrassing but humanizing details.
On the tracks "Down in LA" and "80 Blocks from Silverlake," the rappers use this colloquial, revealing style to talk about their lives in Los Angeles — which include average moments like barbecues and hanging out with friends. Thes One says, "Another beautiful day in LA/ I already smell the charcoal/ The awful hangover from last night's already a memory/ I walk in the Busy Bee all the homies remember me." Referring to a local barbershop barbecue party, Double K's line goes "Everybody's celebrating ‘cause the Lakers just won/ Another reason for the tough guys to put away their guns." These lyrics are a good example of the duo's positive message and concern with the state of their community.
In addition to these lexical skills, Thes One and Double K are able to create beats that blend perfectly with their subject matter and flow patterns. They often include horns, piano and bass — as well as old-school R&B riffs with bells and hand claps. Heavily reverberated voices sing simple chords in the background of many tracks. Some of the best examples are "80 Blocks from Silverlake," "Step Off" and "Carried Away."
Fans of People Under the Stairs will be pleased with the production on this album, as it is reminiscent of the classic album "O.S.T." (2002). After 12 years and seven albums, the LA-based duo seems to be performing and recording its best music yet. The album "Carried Away," has everything: inventive rhymes, a positive and honest message and well-produced beats that complement the vocals. This is an important album for the preservation of real hip-hop. For fans of the band, the genre or just good music, this album is a must-have.
