Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

  Jesusfreakhideout.com 5-Star Review

  JFH 5-Star Review



Playdough
Don't Drink The Water



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 52 minutes, 53 seconds
Street Date: October 17, 2006


Playdough is everywhere. Not only has he done collaborations with artists like Heath McNease and RedCloud, and been apart of several hip hop groups (Phonetic Composition, Ill Harmonics and Deepspace 5), as well as being an instrumental art supply when I was a kid, but he also has his own career. He first debuted his solo skills on his 2002 album Lonely Superstar, and then returned with his sophomore album last year, entitled Don't Drink The Water.

What exactly does Playdough mean by "Don't Drink The Water?" Does he want us to dehydrate? Not so much. It's a metaphor. The world offers us so much evil, but puts it out there with the label of "good." And we see it, and have the temptation to think "Oh, it looks like it's good for me, so it must be." But when we put it up to the light of God, we see it for the poison that it really is. As Playdough says in the title track of the album, "Hold that glass to the light and notice, what's blurred in the dark is exposed in focus, it's metaphoric but you can still take it literal, floating upside-down they poisoned the mineral." The theme of not drinking "the water" is expressed throughout the album. Most of it touches on the fickleness and fakeness of the world, from the expectations of what to look like in the title track ("What should I drive, what should I wear, we all care, what they say is alright so highlight your hair, do it just like this and wear your shirt like that, pull up your jeans magazines say you look too fat"), to the emptiness of today's popular music in "You Sound Funny" ("I'm only told once, to be quick and come up with an album the world wants, and so my crew flaunts bling while we sing, and keep it real cause we all know it ain't about skill").

Playdough's lyrical skills are hard to match. Incredible talent is present in his vocals and his flow. And he uses his gift to try to reach out to those lost in the world. In his song "Saddle Up," he says "So let's speak, what could be done to change this, and wake up the mind of today's teenagers." "Sandal Sole" is a song about the hardships of traveling ministry, from making little to money right on down to calling a nearby friend who has a place to stay for the night. It features great music and a fantastic beat, and it's accompanied by the vocals of none other than...Kevin Max? As strange of a pairing as this might sound, the former dc Talk member's unique and almost-eerie vocals mix well with the chorus of the song. Other favorites on the album include the infectious party song "Tip Your Hat," the slow but hard-hitting "The Difference," and "Huh!", which is the album highlight musically.

Whether it's the lyrics, the flow, the beats, or even the little spoken lessons featured at the end of several songs, there isn't much to not like on Don't Drink The Water. Brilliance shines through on every track from beginning to end. Definitely a recommendation for fans of great sound and production, as well as fans of good music. If you want comparisons to other artists, think of hip hoppers Mars ILL, Ohmega Watts, or The Procussions.

- Review date: 10/4/07, written by Scott Fryberger



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 


. Record Label: 7 Spin Music
. Album length: 13 tracks: 52 minutes, 53 seconds
. Street Date: October 17, 2006
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Up To Date
  2. Dang!
  3. Emergency Broadcast
  4. You Sound Funny
  5. Tip Your Hat
  6. Sandal Sole (ft. Kevin Max)
  7. Saddle Up
  8. Leave You
  9. Huh!
  10. Don't Drink The Water
  11. The Difference
  12. Ghetto Blaster
  13. Daisy Proof
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images