Hip-Hop with rock ideals making for a very concrete and catchy collection of songs. GOAT produces hard driven beats accompanied by a very tangible voice and lyrical flow. Sharing a similarity to "Aesop Rocks" ability to unravel a story told with nonstop rhyme schemes and very interesting lyrical phrasing. The songs are catchy with an ability to selectively pick the correct areas to produced vocal hooks for the choruses. Tr. 4 Hollowed LUV – Heavy introduction with a great piano line leading into a great flow eventually taking you into a catchy chorus. Tr. 5 Toxic Tears – Wonderful acoustic guitar and synth violin accompanied by a very interesting beat, taking you through a very good vocal melody line for its chorus. Tr. 15 Reflections – Dark and dismal beat and melody with Goat leading you through a story of hard partied nights and the after math producing its effects on its victims. -Damon Kellard

Dallas-based producer, musician, and MC, GOAT, brings a different and complex approach to hip hop. The disc begins amidst the clatter of jubilant voices and talk within a bar setting---before GOAT extols the virtues of libation in "Count Me In." Mystical and classical violin sounds, humor, self-analysis and tight rhymes emanate throughout. The theme focuses on alcohol, but does not simply glorify it. Instead, the good times had while imbibing are offset with the consequences of drunk driving. The ear-gasmic eroticism of the duet "Sexual Playgrounds" has an R&B flavor that drips with anticipated carnality, while hidden track "...173" begins with a melancholy piano solo and lyrics that seek to reconnect with a dearly-departed friend. Absolute Truth successfully combines musicianship and lyrical content through modern sound, and listening to it is time well spent. -Brian Carr

There is something to be said for learning and studying one's craft. Local hip-hop artist, GOAT (which stands for Grades of Absolute Truth), who has recently released his full length, solo album entitled Absolute Truth, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas, with a concentration in classical voice. Anyone familiar with music education in the United States knows that UNT has one of the premier music programs covering a broad spectrum of study. Those who take the time to check out Absolute Truth will be treated to GOAT's passion for and knowledge of his profession. The theme of alcohol pervades throughout the entirety of Absolute Truth, including a playful reference in the title (think Citron, Raspberri, Mandarin… there you go). The listener, however, is not underwhelmed with countless trite party references. Instead, GOAT covers several situations where alcohol can play a role, including at the party, in the bedroom, and even the tragedies that can occur when mixed with driving. Heavily infusing this theme of alcohol and excess into the entire album may make it difficult for most artists to differentiate between songs, but for GOAT the task is easily met. Each of his songs takes on its own distinct flavor, pulling from varied musical and lyrical sources. According to GOAT, he is influenced by musicians like Talib Kweli, Brandon Boyd of Incubus, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, as well as the poet Edgar Allen Poe. When paying close attention to the Absolute Truth one can hear GOAT's varied influences given voice. The album starts off with the sounds and voices typical of a bar setting, which lead into the first track, "Count Me N," sure to be a frat party favorite across DFW colleges as the album gains in popularity. Then in "Hollowed LUV," GOAT steps out of the hip-hop mold and breaks it down with a furious, rock-inspired passion that I haven't seen from this genre in far too long. GOAT later brings in an early 90's groove with the track entitled "Sexual Playgrounds," featuring Stacia McNeil, which is reminiscent of L.L. Cool J's old favorite "Doin' It." Creepy factoid: a simple Google search reminded me that L.L. Cool J came out with an album entitled G.O.A.T. in 2000. Coincidence? Ok yeah, probably, but I can speculate. What struck me the most about this album were its depth and its ability to transcend musical and artistic genres. From hip-hop lovers, to rock enthusiasts, to spoken-word poets, most everyone will be able to find something to appreciate in Absolute Truth. -Erin Rice