Search - Flame :: Our World: Fallen

As a whole, this is Flame's best CD

Kurikaesuyoudesuga | 04/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Flame's first CD ("Flame")had 19 songs. There's not one song on there I'll skip. That was my introduction to Christian rap. To this day, the passion in his voice and his delivery make it one of my favorite rap CDs.



Flame's second CD ("Rewind") was alright. It had around 20 songs, with an intro and outro. I wasn't really feeling his style on this CD, but there were about six songs that are still fantastic. I'm mainly feeling on the mssage on this CD, compared to the lyrics on the first. The beats were lacking on this first, but his flow made up for all of that.



Now to the meat:



This CD has got the passion, lyrics, *and beats*



1. Our World Fallen - this is a slower song, but in no way soft. The background has some simple dark synth beats and Flame raps about the horrible state of our world: the violence and the focus on self. It's a medium length song that ends with a summation of the Genesis story. Because of that, it's not really a stand-alone song. The rapping only takes about 1:30, and the rest is talk-story. This is a great intro to the CD and does set the mood. It ends with a concert-setting where Flame goes off stage and meets an old friend of his in the crowd (played by fellow Christian rapper, Json. Check out his solo joint!). You'll meet up with this old friend later.



2. Where God Placed You - some more dark synth beats. Flame talks about groing up in St. Louis in a decrepit neighborhood. The message is that God has placed you where you are and in the race/body that you're in for a rason. There's a reason to your life. The rhyming is clever and his message is an important one. 4/5



3. Shinin - Tedashii teams up with Flame on this chopped and screwed song. The beats are heavy and the rapping is fast and powerful. The chorus is a slowed repeating of "I keep His word in me/so I'm shinin all the time" which honestly gets annoying after the third chorus. If I were to edit the chorus out of this, I'd be a perfect song. Tedashii and Flame are ripping up this track on how we need to focus on God and read His word. As it is, I don't tend to enjoy it because of the repetetive chorus. 3/5



4. Myspace - This features Diamone. It's a smooth, slow song with gentle music in the background. Flame wants to warn people that trying to find love outside of God isn't fulfilling and encourage people that God loves us for who we are. The rhyme scheme is clever and Flame's voice is spot-on. 4/5



5. Fallen World Interlude 1 - This is a summation of the Genesis story and the reason why our world is fallen. It's very short.



6. Goodness to Repentance - Heavy song with gunshots in the background. Flame talks about how rappers escape death but keep going back to their old ways. He talks about 50 cent and other rappers who've been shot. He says that "God's goodness should lead men to repentance." Hardcore and empassioned--Flame's voice is gritty on this one. 5/5



7. Call Him - Oh. My. Word. Sounds like Busta Rhymes became a Christian and is rapping about the need for truth and coming to Jesus. The rapping is so clever and stylish. All I can say is this is one of the best Flame song I've ever heard. The message we're left with is that we can call on Jesus to save us and that Jesus died for a sin he didn't commit--one we did. Would you die even for your enemies if it'd save them? Thank you Jesus for saving me, a sinner! 6/5



8. When You Step - Da'truth is on this one! Two awesome songs in a row! This song sounds like a school marching band and a military march put into one. Flame and Da'truth rap fairly fast and stylish. 5/5



9. World View - Three awesome songs in a row?! World View urges listeners to step away from MTv and our sheltered lives to see all the troubles of this world and how the world needs Jesus! He goes through different countries and their big issues--with each country getting their own respective style of music. The music blends together from country/style to country/style, it's very creative. 5/5



10. Fallen World Interlude 2 - Gentle music in the background and Flame actually slowly raps about the aspects of American society that are in direct contrast to God's word. It's very touching and makes you think. He's really digging deep on this one. 5/5



11. Bad Ain't Good - I didn't think I'd like this one, but Flame and Trubble come through. Flame asks why does "everything that's bad for you/why does it feel so good?" Flame and Trubble talk about the sin in their lives and how it's so attractive. The issues are real and seen all around us. Trubble is always a pleasure to listen to. Overall, a slow song. Again, not soft, but slow. 5/5



12. We Apologize - this issue has been on my heart for a while now, and I was pleased to hear this song. Many people feel like Christianity is full of hypocrites who don't follow what they preach. Flame takes the initiative to apologize and offer the truth that Jesus is full of love. He asks skeptics not to blame Jesus and God for the sins and failures of men. It's a slow, touching song. The song is brimming with sincerity. 5/5



13. Desires in Conflict - This song is fairly slow, but when the guest characters (who are rapping their stories about struggling with homosexuality) get emotional, their speed picks up. It's a good song, but I don't really find it enjoyable. There's a lot of emotion in this song, but just not something I'm feeling. 4/5



14. Heart Stops - Another jaw-dropper. You can hear a different beat for this song on a youtube video of a concert he did. Some people have complained that they like the earlier beat better, but the rolling jungle beats and drum claps on this are classic! The deep, deep voice mirroring his on the chorus and the occassional funky guitar rift stay in your head all day. I kept hearing that curius guitar rift during my college physics class today. This song talks about how people like temporary pleasure and personal glory and he assures Christians that even though we don't search for riches, we'll inherit more in heaven than we could on earth. Flame asks listeners where they'll end up after they die. 5/5



15. Come to Christ interlude 3 - this is an altercall. Good message.



16. Goodbye - I never thought I'd like an outro, but this is a great way to end part one to this CD project. We meet up again with Flame's old friend from song one. His cousin has been shot and is dying and he (Json) calls Flame and cries/raps out his pain and frustration and hurt. It's very heavy and deep. It reminds me of the last song on Knine's CD, Born Again. It's all about pain and it can give you chills and choke you up. A fast strummed acoustic guitar plays with soft synth beats and a gentle drum tap. Flame has to deliver the hard truth to Json that you have to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to go to heaven. Even "good" people can go to hell if they don't have this relationship with Jesus. Json has so much hurt in his voice, it's very empassioned. JR sings the chorus about saying goodbye. 6/5



This project was a while coming but I'm so glad I got it. The message and passion (and his awesome gritty voice) harken back to his first CD. However, the beats bump it up a notch. The creativity and hardcore feeling of many of the songs make this a winner.



Cop it!"

FLAME Does It Again

Michael T. Brown | Canton, Ohio United States | 04/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Third time is a charm for FLAME on this album. Whether you are new to Christian rap or a regular listener, FLAME's message is clear and inspired. As the title suggests, the album attacks issues in our world from a Christian perspective. A must have."

Flame - FIRE!!!

J.T. Stone | Nashville, TN United States | 08/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yeah buddy, this album is that one. Dude got a hecktified flow and the guests on this one are tight-to-death as well. The song MySpace is a sad one (although good-than-a-mug) cuz there are too many , not just the kiddies, that are going through the thing of looking for love, attention, something in all the wrong places. This is my fave. Have to give it up to Christian rappers these days, they is not playing and are sounding much, much, much, much(for a long time) better secular rappers and he's another example of this."