Swollen Members’ first retail project, Balance, is listed with an official release date of 1999. The implication is that both individually and collectively, they’ve created a loyal following over the course of 15 years while still displaying enough diversity to pick up new listeners and change with the times. For the crew’s de facto leader, Madchild, the dichotomy of documenting his ups and downs, satiating the loyal throng of Battleaxe Warriors and progressing as an emcee presents a set of challenges that make for an interesting listen. It’s against this backdrop that he releases his Switched On EP with the challenge of accomplishing all the above goals.
By and large, Madchild has built his discography on elaborate rhyme patterns and whimsical subject matter over brooding production. So it comes as no surprise he starts the album with bars that transition from an insular self-description to a seemingly comic book-styled transition into his rhyming alter ego. On “White Knuckles” he rhymes, “Feeling so alone, watch this orphan come undone / To a shape shifting ape, lifting weights having fun / Acid-spewing speed demon feeding on the weak / I get paid from words, literally eat from what I speak…”
As the byproduct of the boom-bap era, Madchild’s strength is stacked couplets of rhymes about how good he can rhyme. A near-death experience with drugs added a certain palpable depth and more subject matter for him to mine, and one of the best qualities of Switched On is Madchild’s ability to touch on his recovery without it becoming a dominant theme. What the listener ends up with is a nine-track offering featuring the type of references accepted with open arms at Comic Con, extremely relatable fare (the title track features the rare statement that doubles as both a boast and a lament: “Now I owe so much money I don’t open the mail”), and just bar-for-bar rhyming.
In terms of a balanced listen, both a heavier dose of the everyman material and a more diverse production palette would better serve the project. At times, rhyming for the sake of rhyming produces monotonous results such as bars about sending dick pics via iPhone (“Switched On”). The soundscapes aren’t innately bad, but they tend to hover in one mode too long to create enough variety for the casual listener. The formula of foreboding, staggered keyboard patterns over punctuated synths is repeated on “White Knuckles,” “Amadeus,” “Iran” and “Hellbound,” rendering half the album to good but overly familiar territory. Tracks like the vocal sample-powered “Act My Age” and “Tom Cruise,” with its eight-bit blips offer a welcome change. They also seemingly push Madchild out of his comfort zone and into some introspective rhymes—which one doesn’t need to be a Battleaxe Warrior to appreciate.
With Switched On, Madchild is playing to his strengths, but he shines best when taking risks. While it serves as a respectable offering to hold diehard fans over until the arrival of his Superbeast album, one can’t help but wonder what could have been with less reliance on that built-in fanbase and some increased venturing into the great unknown.
I wish this man would grow up. Why has he tattooed his body like that ?
How stupid is that? I bet his parents are not very proud of this loser. What has he achieved in his life? Talkin shit and actin like a little kid, what a loser of life this guy is. Even his hairline agrees hes 40-year old, yet he chooses to “chase his dreams in music” in other words, talkin shit not achieving anything, being a washed up loser who owns nothing.
I know I shouldn’t reply to trolls but everything about your comment is wrong and pointless. Madchild’s done more in rap than 99% of people who ever picked up a mic. Swollen Members were a big radio/TV group in Canada in the early 00’s who also toured around the world, so denigrating Madchild as a talentless dreamer makes no sense whatsoever. You really need to get back on those meds and leave these forums for people who have worthwhile things to share.
for real. idk y niggas get on here and spew fuckin negative jealous comments like their lives depended on it. its one of 2 things. its a kid 7-14 who dont know shit about life yet and thinks its cool 2 be a hater. or 2. whoever they hating on did something personal to them and thats the only way they strike bak. this comment sections is worse then KTT sometimes
almost sold dude weed and shrooms back in 2000 but new album is hard. good use of synths and he brings a potent dose of what he does best! it aint a philosophy essay fags!!!!!!!!!
“what a loser” is a short fat man with a 3 inch erection and his mom is at the farm
Ur biggest complaint is Madchild does what hes good at?Gives his fanbase what there lookin for?…What u want?A lil wayne or rihanna feature?Some shitty overhyped fruit loop production from Kanye west?GTFO.Great fuckin album.Dude Murked it.5 stars all day
He’s become very run of the mill and generic the last few years.
OMAR BURGESS CAN EAT SHIT AND DIE SLOW
co-sign and fuck soren faker and andres retardio
Ummm…. Can you say “Eminem”?? What a joke..
fucking losers squids always thinking artists ripped off eminem. the styles are completley different other than dark subject matter. Get a fucking brain and stop listening to eminem you one minded piece of shit. if anything eminem prob ripped of necros style back in the day but thats up to debate.
Great review! Very accurate.
I just got into Madchild recently after watching some videos of his on Youtube. I peeped his album Lawn Mower Man and it was dope. However, his style gets played out as he keeps saying the same types of things over and over. It would be better if he found some more subject matter rather than just bragging and spitting these “Acid-spewing speed demon feeding on the weak” type bars over and over.
Otherwise, Madchild is dope. I’m glad I gave him a chance and peeped his stuff.
This is my Favorite Madchild release to date. I feel I love the beast out lyrical Madchild, and the beat selection on this EP is on point. Madchild’s getting sharper every release, he’s on top of his game.
This EP is amazing!!! Thank you Mad, its so goood!! Tom Cruise ALL DAY!!
“Switched On” Goes Hard, this EP is sick as fuck, 5/5 Haters can suck a dick
Absolutely imcredible! Madchild killin it every time! Go get this EP if you haven’t yet, it’s worth every penny! 5/5
This has been playing in my car nonstop since I got it. Shits FIRE Madchild, 5/5, Keep doin what you’re doin, fuck the haters!
I LOVE THIS ALBUM! Madchild I love you, you never fail to put out great shit! 5/5 for sure
Steph Thanx much appreciate the support! When you come to one of my concerts please identify yourself so me and my homeboys can run through.
This is definitely one of those albums that needs to be heard by all. Great beats, amazing lyrics. Seriously Mad, you never fail to disappoint! Thank You!
Sometimes he does disappoint, almost every other SM albums has had bullshit club beats…
c:
This truly is a solid album.. I always forget how nasty MadChild is, especially when he’s spittin on a tight beat. Hella Fresh, check it out.
Love the album shane, the beats are alright I feel they could be kicked up a notch though. but those lyrics man speak truthfully and clear you just keep showing this world some excitement and props to you and your recovery I think that’s awesome, I’ve been sober for 5 months now thanks for the amazing music madchild
One of the sickest albums release by Mad.