Albums Roc Marciano & The Alchemist - The Skeleton Key (Discussion Thread)

ReWiNd

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came across this older article about the history of roc and ka forming metal clergy. In the article, they compile all the tracks they have worked together on over the years . I am going to have to rip it later on. Just wish Roc and Ka worked together at least one track together with alchemist . Would have been even crazier if Ka and Roc had a whole album produced by Alchemist. I think the album would have been special.

Metal Clergy's Album: The Definitive Audio Guide To The Myth
 
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scorpino

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I agree. I'm surprised to see so many people fukking with the album tbh.

That elephant man album is probably my fav Alc produced album and one of my fav albums of recent times.

Most tracks on this album lack soul or melody... Mainly just really simple loops with the same note played again and again.

I feel like elephant man had more bangers but this new album flows so well. No skips for me
 
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After running through Marciology last night, I'll say I like that album more than The Skeleton Key b/c it has some more versatility (diff producers) and feels more unique and complete. Skeleton Key is still fantastic tho.
 

Dont@Me

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Alchemist is one of my favorite producers but this aint doing it for me, probably some of his weakest throwaway instrumentals
I only liked about 3 songs

you cant sit there and tell me Chateau Josue was dope
Same boat.

All of the beats on Reloaded are better than any in this current album imo...Skirt Steak is the only one that I really like because it has soul.

Roc makes any of these beats sound listenable, but they don't shine at all.

Edit- Acid and Chateau fit Roc well though.
 

Dont@Me

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“Knock it off” :ohlawd:
The piano is too loud and steps all over his vocals. This is actually a common gripe in Roc's music with pianos for some reason, except in his song "76" they got it perfect.

No idea who is mixing these tracks :francis:
 

Pop123

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Ran thru this whole joint in the sauna then the ice bath (Crazy one of the joints is called Cryotherapy, lol). The rapping is a 10…if you are a Roc fan you will be thoroughly pleased with the rapping. Is the production on this joint like overly slow or is it just me? Might be me, 🤷🏽‍♂️, all real slow, dragging type tempos on the beats.

Skirt Steak, Cryotherapy, Chopstick and Make Sure are def my favorites right now, I’m gonna run thru it one or two more times this evening but right now I’d give it a solid 7.5 to 8, Roc rapping at peak Roc levels and the beats, tho slow to me, are dope. I personally prefer Roc over Roc production, I’ve grown to love that weird, soulful aesthetic from bro. But yeah, another dope joint, 🫡, I like the other one they did more tho def.
 

TheDarceKnight

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The piano is too loud and steps all over his vocals. This is actually a common gripe in Roc's music with pianos for some reason, except in his song "76" they got it perfect.

No idea who is mixing these tracks :francis:
Funny enough Eddie Sancho...same dude that mixed their last album and Marciology. He mixed all the old Gang Starr albums and most of Preemo's music
 

Dont@Me

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Funny enough Eddie Sancho...same dude that mixed their last album and Marciology. He mixed all the old Gang Starr albums and most of Preemo's music
I see.

Reloaded was mixed the best. Listen to the choruses on the tracks on that album. They're distinct. Doubled and maybe even slightly panned. The choruses on skeleton key are the exact same as his verses and they really don't pop like that. This has been happening on the majority of his albums. Not sure why they continue to go with that direction when it sounds bored sometimes.

I know I'm complaining, but Roc always has superb lyrics and I'm kinda disappointed His beats and mixing don't match his vocal ability.
 

TheDarceKnight

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I see.

Reloaded was mixed the best. Listen to the choruses on the tracks on that album. They're distinct. Doubled and maybe even slightly panned. The choruses on skeleton key are the exact same as his verses and they really don't pop like that. This has been happening on the majority of his albums. Not sure why they continue to go with that direction when it sounds bored sometimes.

I know I'm complaining, but Roc always has superb lyrics and I'm kinda disappointed His beats and mixing don't match his vocal ability.
Reloaded definitely sounds the best to me too. A few of Roc's albums have been mixed kind of badly. The first Rosebudd's Revenge stands out as being especially bad. I've thought they got better since Marcielago, and I don't have too many complaints since then, but I can also hear what you mean about his voice getting drowned out here and there.
 
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wtf do ya'll see in Rome. Guy is a complete snoozefest as a rapper.
He can spit. I really enjoyed Kiss The Ring, and he's had solid tapes with a good ear for beats. He doesn't have the same charisma as someone like Roc or Conway....and typically he does spit that same flow every song.

a lot of people (used to) say roc was boring too. Or someone like Boldy James to me gets boring b/c the monotone lull delivery every song, but I still like Boldy.

Rappers like Rome and Boldy to me need to be accompanied by really dope production. If the production lacks, they do drag.
 

FrankieLymon757

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Elephant man's bones by a nose hair just cause of that sample of the title track...but this is probably my favorite Roc album since Pimpire where I can let every track play in it's glory...Dark Horse came close...I like the second half of Marciology too...everything else is pick and choose...Mt Marci was too slow and Khaos but he was spitting crazy on both...Marcielago had its moments... I would love to hear a Roc and Madlib tape...Reloaded and the b sides trump everything tho and lit a match to the underground......boom !
 
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