It's hard to be a white MC rapping about bullies and unleashing revenge fantasies without drawing comparisons to Eminem. Clearwater's Mist uses memorable beats, but a number like my "Father's Gun," which recounts a Columbine scenario, feels forced and creepy. The misogyny of "Crazy and Insane" aims for laughs but misses the mark. And when Mist gets political on "Wonder if Bush," one can't help but cringe, especially when the rapper unleashes lefty platitudes bereft of humor that sound like someone handed Cindy Sheehan the mic. 2 stars
This article appears in Sep 5-11, 2007.