Possible Pick: Mad Child - "Dope Sick" (UPDATED)

Mad Child - "Dope Sick"

As a long-time Swollen Members fan, I'll admit they've had their ups and downs (well, one down really). The underground community did not approve of their 2009 release "Armed to the Teeth," though I generally liked it. I think they moved their sound to a more mainstream level, maybe because they moved to Suburban Noize, a fairly well-established underground label, but I think most of the animosity came from the fact that their prior album, 2006's "Black Magic," is an underground classic and they sort of fell off. SM producer Rob the Viking has never disappointed, but the inclusion of autotune, meaningless lyrics, and Tre Nyce on many of the tracks sort of gave the album an inconsistent and, in the end, a sour taste. Now is the best time to be a Swollen Members fan, however. Last year's "Dagger Mouth" is a great comeback album and was one of 2011's best. They also released a Part 2 to 2002's "Monsters in the Closet," which had some very memorable tracks (as well as including some older tracks from EP's).

Mad Child, the louder of the two MC's, is releasing his first Suburban Noize solo project, "Dope Sick". For the last while he has been releasing a slew of EP's, each being 100% spot-on. Mad Child has had drug and legal problems as of late, both of which he is overcoming, and these EP's (and most likely "Dope Sick," as well) will reflect his continual progress. In addition to "Dope Sick," I recommend buying a physical copy of all of the EP's ($10 at Suburban Noize).

"Dope Sick" has a few packages at Suburban Noize, a $30 package and a $50 package. The $20 difference is a limited edition 7" record, which is a selling point for me but you decide for yourself. Or you can just opt for the CD for $10. Album drops July 17 (hopefully, it's been delayed a few times - SEE UPDATE).

UPDATE: According to the pre-order page, the release has been delayed (yet again) to August 14.

UPDATE 2: Release date is August 28. Here is the tracklist:

1. Devil's Rejects ft. DJ Revolution
2. Grenade Launcher ft. Slaine & Prevail
3. Monster
4. Runaway
5. Oxylude (Interlude)
6. Wake Up
7. Battleaxe ft. Dilated Peoples, Bishop Lamont & D-Sisive
8. Jitters ft. Dutch Robinson & Matt Brevner
9. Little Monster Blend
10. Judgment Day ft. Sophia Danai
11. Dickhead
12. Fuck Madchild ft. Phil The Agony
13. Mongoloid
14. Freak
15. Reaper
16. Wanted

The updated album art: