KB – Weight & Glory (Review)

Reach Records

Released July 17, 2012

Reviewed by Anthony Peronto

Many music critics, when presented with an album to review, can easily listen to the record and instantly give out a complete opinion. But every once and awhile there is an album that requires multiple spins to get a clear picture. Such is the case with KB’s debut album, Weight and Glory, which I can safely say is the best Reach Records debut album I’ve ever heard. With that being said, it doesn’t mean the album is perfect.

A standout attribute of KB’s style is his musical progression evident so early-on in his career. This can be seen on “Weight Music,” “Go Off (Note: Tedashii steals the show on this track),” and “Zone Out” which blends the smooth during the chorus and the bass-heavy hip hop on the verses. And samples from Thi’sl’s “Let It Knock” and Trip Lee’s “Who is Like Him?” are used on “Zone Out” and “Angels” so effectively that it becomes part of the song. One of the more surprising songs on the album is “Don’t Mean Much,” which is a good blend of rock and hip hop with a chorus that would’ve been better sung by Paper Tongues’ Aswan North.

As far as weaknesses go, there are a few that are worth mentioning. Even with a killer verse by Lecrae on “Church Clap,” unless you’re accustomed to southern churches this fusion of gospel & hip hop just won’t connect with you as strongly as it should. “Mr. Pretender” taken from the POV of the “deceitfulness of sin” is pulled off well but doesn’t hold up to the superior and comparable “Indwelling Sin” by Lecrae. However KB does improve on a concept used many-a-time by KJ-52: The reading of fan letters. By bringing along Swoope’s lyricism, Trip Lee’s prayer/verse, and addressing topics rarely discussed in churches the song becomes one of the highlights despite the repetitive use of “war!” in the chorus.

After several rotations of this debut album I believe this is a solid record that is the best Reach Records debut album the label has ever put out. But based on what his labelmates have done before him, KB should be able to create a standout sophomore album that not only improves musically but also contains a stronger and well-executed theme.

Grade: 4

Tracklisting:

1. Weight Music
2. Zone Out ft. Chris Lee Cobbins
3. Anomaly
4. Don’t Mean Much ft. Sho Baraka
5. Go Off ft. Andy Mineo & Tedashii
6. Mr. Pretender
7. Open Letter (Battlefield) ft. Swoope, Trip Lee, & Jai
8. Heart Song ft. Jasmine Le’Shea
9. Angels ft. FLAME
10. Tear It Down
11. Church Clap ft. Lecrae
12. Hello ft. Suzy Rock
13. Here We Go ft. PK
14. Bonus Track: Zone Out (Amped Remix)