Album Review's & Prop's to DV

"their style reminds me of The Pharcyde. I think if those two push theirselves lyrically to come up with some hot shit, they have the potential to do big things. "
- Robb Jaxx of Organic Productions, Myspace.com


"Indie Charts artist- TC Grandpa Rock "I'm listening their song, and I like it, they've got a nice sound and I will look forward to hearing more of their songs. Good marks for you guys from me". TC Grandpa Rock "
- TC Grandpa Rock, Indiecharts.com


Double Vision - No Explanation!
2008, DV Productions

St. Louis’ Double Vision are two of a kind, literally. Twin brothers Jarred (Mr. Mackamore) and Johnathan (Mackamillion) have been rapping since they were seven years old. The Venice, CA born duo have moved around a lot over the years and have consequently picked up quite the range of musical influences. Their debut album, No Explanation! is now available.

No Explanation! makes use of fairly standard rap conventions -- high levels of profanity and misogyny, all while Double Vision claims or implies their mackhood. No Explanation! is interesting lyrically. Aside from the overuse of meaningless words to convey thoughts, as noted above, the twins are fairly adept poets. Both are also quite accomplished on the mic. I did find this album hard to listen to though as I had a hard time with the musical choices that made the bed for their poetry.

I Don't Stop and Back Packer were both quite impressive, as were Devine Attraction, In It To Win It and A Mack's Poem. The musical aspect was unoriginal at best, and downright abrasive at worst (So Cool). I would love to hear these two poet/rappers with a producer who might provide them with a wider horizon of sounds to play against. I think the results would be fantastic. Nevertheless, lyrically there may not be many better.

No Explanation! is a strong accomplishment with some obvious flaws, but on the whole a worthwhile experience. Double Vision are highly talented pair who should be throwing down rhymes of interest for years to come.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)
Wildy Haskel - http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/


no explanation
author: cleveland jones
sample through the songs and it's clear this album is no joke. they do an incredible job taking original style hip hop beats and reminding us what hip hop was and needs to be. with a producer like bill blast and the accompany of st. louis legend jia davis mix in with the twins raw talent and lyrics, this is the independent album to buy this year. touching bases on topics like love, struggle, perseverance, and just plain mackin you will be in for a ride of mind blowing originality, flow, and lyrics.
Cleveland Jones - cdbaby.com


Now I have listened to their CD three times (I don't like to pass
judgment after the first listen because it usually takes a few times to
sink in). First let me say I like to buy CDs that I've never heard of,
underground artists, local, etc. I will be honest I had never heard of
them before and just randomly saw the album on CD Baby and bought it
because Jia Davis was on it (I have all BnP!) and listened to a couple
of the low-quality previews on the website and it sounded alright. The
majority of the CDs I buy like that end up being mediocre at best and
some are straight up terrible... but I was pleasantly surprised -- their CD was really tight!
I think all of the tracks on the album are solid lyrically and the beats
are all on point. I didn't think the lyrics and music sounded out of
place on any of the songs. I read that review that was posted on their
myspace blog by the guy that wasn't really feeling the beats; I looked
at his site and he deals with a vast array of music styles, so who knows
what he was expecting... Me, personally, as someone who 98% of the time
listens to hip-hop from 1978 to 2009 and grew up in the early 80's with
hip-hop, I thought the beats were real nice. The beat on "Just Mackin"
was dope and a great way to start off the album. I especially liked the
beat on "BackPackers" that flips the Run-DMC samples. I also liked the
song "Love Don't Come" too on the smooth jam side of things. But really
again I thought all the songs were good (no skippers so far after 3
listens), and the bass hits proper in the car. The only thing that was
missing to me was some DJ cutting and scratching, but that's missing on
almost every album these days!
I was listening to your CD in the car on my way home from work trying to
think of what their style reminds me of. Other than Bits N Pieces I think
the vibe I was getting from it reminds me of the classic west coast
underground hip hop. I'm talking about people like souls of mischief,
freestyle fellowship, dilated peoples, extra prolific etc.
Thanks again and I wish the brothers success... and good job on
the album! - Paul Hartman CD Baby customer