Big Boi: Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumours

- Despite in the past being overshadowed by Andre 3000's flashy persona and thirst for maxing out and doubling down on the pleasures of life, Outkast's literally and metaphorically solid as a rock Big Boi has really lunged forward and thrust himself into the limelight in the last few years, capitalizing on Andre's departure into the shadows. 10 long years since Outkast's last 'real' record (2004's Speakerboxx/Love Below doesn't count, those two big personalities rarely crossed paths on the nearly 40 strong track list) some people still seem convinced, by some god-given miracle, that a true follow-up to Stankonia will arrive and not only will it magic itself in front of our eyes, it will also live up to the now, insanely high and unrealistic expectations created by those same zany, carefree dreamers. While some may consider me a pessimist, I like to think of myself as more of a harsh realist. For this reason when, a couple of years back, Big Boi released his first solo debut proper, the appropriately grandiosely titled, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty, I not only saw it as a door closing, but a window being violently smashed open with a rock. That record was just plain fun, tight and solid from start to finish, a near perfect blend of old and new, electronics and pop-sensibilities intertwined seamlessly with Big Boi's trademark southern soul. A couple years on from that surprisingly wonderful solo debut I was now totally looking forward to any and every thing Big Boi could wrap his hands around. Without too much delay, sophomore solo release, Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors sees the once old-school MC continue to branch out musically with near worryingly open arms for collaborations and new ideas, hooking up with as many "indie" darlings as rappers, combining forces with Little Dragon, Phantogram, the increasingly annoying dude from Wavves alongside rap stalwarts, Ludacris, T.I., Killer Mike and red-hot, not-so-newcomer, A$AP Rocky. The album really does feel like someone should have maybe given Big Boi a little more guidance, an outsider looking in that could have vetoed some of the less palatable ideas on show here, someone to reaffirm the 'less is more' path of thinking. There's simply not enough Big Boi on his own record. Only a few of tracks here (out of the 17) feel better for the company, 'In The A', 'Lines' & 'Raspberries' all have their share of charm, but there's just not enough of these moments throughout. Despite being a bit hit and miss, Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors is still worthy of your time for Big Boi's presence alone, there's no denying, even amongst the many distractions and left-turns the tried and tested MC remains as on-point and likeable as ever, and at worst the record comes off as a slightly misguided and perhaps failed experiment in working outside the often highly restricitve boundaries of modern day hip-hop. I doubt it'll get the repeated attention that it''s predecessor received but it's an interesting listen, if nothing else. - Jay Edwards.