Political hip hop is not quite an accurate description of the sophisticated, whimsical lyrics of this troupe. The term gives no sense of the intricate musicality that Check’d weaves into its tracks. One of my personal favorites, “Imaginary Riot,” incorporates a feet-movin’, body-groovin’ trumpet solo melded together with a contagious clapping underlay, combined with a beat-popping keyboard and riot-inspiring vocals. “There’s gonna be a riot/A stampede/Throw your hands up/If you do agree with me/There’s no justice/No peace/No security/’Cause freedom ain’t free,” shouts the troupe, and frankly, I’m already on my feet.
	Each song on this album seems to have come from my ADD-driven dreams: unique and ending on a different riff every time. “Non-Violent Fist,” “Wal-Mart on Fire,” and “Welcome to America” are excellent examples of Check’d mixing the musical equivalents of ranch and BBQ sauce, then dipping their deliciously crispy lyric-nuggets into their new creamy-sweet condiment. In “Wal-Mart on Fire,” Onegin puts it simply, “There’s famine and kids/Who would kill for a piece of/Jammin’ up bread/There’s workers in other countries /Who are better off dead/You know this country’s so wrecked/You know, if you ask me/ Earth should get itself Check’d.” I couldn’t agree more.
	True to nonconformity, Check’d is a local gem that shouts out from beautiful Portland, OR. Icing on the cake? Their album’s cover is made from 100% recycled paper. For its mind-buzzing mellifluousness, powerful messages, and pleasing use of environmentally –friendly packaging, Check’d gets eight scrumptious nuggets out of ten.
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