Timeflies Dispenses An Above Average After Hours Cocktail

After "Start It Up Again", the first track off of Boston based duo Timeflies' "After Hours" kicked into gear there I was muttering to myself "Oh great. The latest pre-processed hip hop party in a box window dressing gussied up to look awe-inspiring." Could you fault me for my pessimism? Waiting in track 3 was T-Pain who's responsible for "Low" to the consternation of some and to the giddy delight of others. That was hard to get out of your system. Trouble is I'm not guessing the great majority wanted it in there in the first place. Billboard said #1. Doesn't mean the grand total veered towards universal thumbs up. Katie Sky, another myth making celeb was nestled within track 6. Off to the urban side of the tracks. I have so many frequent flier miles from visiting that slab of terrain that most of the major air carriers should not only be giving me discounts but fill my mailbox with seasonal Christmas cards complete with adorable kith and kin mug shots. Those sentiments embodied Rockin' Robert before "After Hours". You know something? Rockin' Robert after "After Hours" has softened his stance considerably. No, you won't get fresh perspective on modern life from a roll in the hay with Rob "Rez" Resnick and Cal Shapiro. The reward that does await is an above average hodgepodge of both shindig enhancing heady times beats and gentler acoustic gilded homages to man's potential to be sensitive. Rob and Cal are the twin engines that make Timeflies go but Katie Sky is of considerable worth to "Monsters". If you just finished the worst day, weel, month, or decade of your life Katie's the one you'd want in your corner. She stresses that it takes bravery to stand up to problems, your own or that of your peer group, and then vow to scare them away. This track is calibrated for maximum conviviality. Nothing seems insurmountable with Katy's shawl softness draped around your shoulders. Those of you who are on Team T-Pain, you won't regret your affiliation. Mr. Pain has the right steamy setting to throw down his lyrical know-how. Coming to represent track 3 his word waxing exemplifies the necessary contrast between sexually emboldened hip hop and making hay while the sun shines jubilation brought to the fore by track 1, "Start It Up Again" and track 2, "All We Got Is Time". Table any claims that Rob and Carl are phoning anything in. Ma Bell would shake her head in incredulity if you did. Cal isn't revelation personified but his vocals don't lack for sincere, honestly intended male sensitivity. "Fall" is a song you learn to fall into, as if you were the test guinea pig for a team building exercise. In order not to lose your mind you must first learn how to relinquish control. Lots of acoustic wholesomeness to fill your seldom satisfied belly. "I Choose U" returns to the arena of "Everybody needs love." Been there, heard that. The messenger is debonair enough to keep doors from being slammed in his face though. "Swoon" likes the skin it's in. Furthermore it's not shy in letting you know how badass it claims to be. "Yeah" is marigold yellow heartwarming. A feather in the cap of each song that leans heavily on programmed magic to keep the show progressing in a winning fashion is the beats aren't stuck on trademark foot stamping. "Crystal Ball" could've easily been plucked from the blueprints of an Aladdin's Castle arcade video game, circa 1982. "Beast" knows where to aim its intense snarl. "Alkaline", the closing number for this sojourn to the bar cradles human vulnerability in its hands and demands you pay attention. Our shortcomings are brought into focus on a deep molecular level. Timeflies successfully avoids being lumped in the controlling volume of street walking hip-hoppers under the delusion that one needs only dot their albums with wee hour revelry to keep hip-hop on the frontlines of the cultural battlefield. "After Hours" isn't the best cocktail you've consumed but the aftertaste leaves you under the impression you spent some time with a pair of good listeners.