Somebody likes the folk record look. Too bad he's not really playing piano for these three lovely ladies. Don't you know rappers love to play real instruments? (Just ask the Beasties.) This is Sad Clown Bad Summer, Atmosphere's newest EP which confidently brings the boys back to original form. It's definitely less rock infused and more hip hop like their earliest releases, and focused on youthful nostalgia and grasping life. The result is a jazzy, funked up soundtrack with an experienced Atmosphere sounding driven like a rookie. "Sunshine(1)," "The Number One(2)," and "Don't Forget(3)" all carry the air of "the good 'ol days" accompanied by some sick beats. I'm feeling that soul sample on "Number" - so soulful and nice. "RFTC(3)" is for all the graf heads out there. The picture painted is spraycans, adrenaline, and what it means to be alive. It's real deep, but so is Atmosphere. It's their job to get deep on ya. Oh yeah, can't forget the "Mattress(5)." That's the "inner reflection" track and it just wouldn't be complete without that one either. Funny thing is, although he confronts issues like human vices, mistakes, and dark secrets, the beat is the funkiest on the entire EP. There's music in the message.

reviewed by C'mish