Dorrough Music

Chronique

On his debut full-length, Dallas-based Dorrough comes off as more than a ringtone rapper, but his transition from the singles club to the league of album artists gets off on a rocky start. Dorrough Music feels rushed when half-baked anthems like "Flashout" come around with their flashy hooks and flimsy ideas. Compare it to the rock-solid, instant party starters "Ice Cream Paint Job" or "Walk That Walk" and the difference in quality control is clear, but Dorrough stands behind all his material, and to his credit, delivers everything with all the hunger you'd expect from someone gunning for Slim Thug or Paul Wall's job. Lyrics are influenced by Wall's so-dumb-it's-fun-style with "I wouldn't spend a dollar on her at a Dollar Tree" being your average punch line. His monotone thug delivery is driven home by the stately hooks and the trunk-rumbling beats of 2 Much, DJ Montay, Todd Hamburger, and handful of others that bring the Texas street boom. Fans who like their hip-hop Lone Star State-big will find the rough edges easy to ignore. Everyone else should focus on the singles, which are satisfying in any territory.
© David Jeffries /TiVo