“Cloud nine” is an idiom for unrestrained bliss. This idiom is the namesake of Cloud 9, the band that prides itself on not fitting into one standardized genre. The idiom fits the band like a glove.
Mike Mcinerney, one of the two emcee’s, said every song Cloud 9 performs is its own separate genre.
“The vocals are all consistent,” Mcinerney said. “It draws everybody in.
Hip-hop vocals appeal to a lot more different people. Everybody loves hip-hop. When it comes on its like, ‘I can dig this.’ You got your funky ones, acoustic ones and bluesy ones.”
Cloud 9’s album “Evolution 9” is funky, thoughtful and charmingly candid. The album produces the feeling that you’re touring alongside the band, hearing them riff about everything from love, to women, to the gratefulness of fans.
After the last song closes, you’ll stretch your arms, smile and believe you were riding with the guys on their bus. This sense of comfort is, naturally, the byproduct of Cloud 9’s camaraderie.
These guys have known each other for awhile.
Anthony DeRosa, lead percussionist, said both of Cloud 9’s emcee’s went to college together. They did hip-hop and liked to play behind bands, he said.
“Longer Days,” the first track on the LP, establishes the mood of the band: fun-spirited lyricism laced with wistfulness. “Longer Days” is a love note to the summer season. “I put on my sun shades and thank the sun rays for longer days and short skirts.”
“How Ya Livin’” pointedly describes the lifestyle of being a part of Cloud 9. One of the two emcee’s in Cloud 9, Michael Tangney, said, “the video I look forward to (shooting) is a video that has live footage, things that include how we are.”
This particular song is a strong candidate for video treatment. It’s not hard to see why Tangney and the band came to this decision.
Everything from the pleasantly airy hook to the dance-worthy beat of “How Ya Livin’” makes this one of the best songs on the album.
The pace of “Evolution 9” slows down with “45,” a ballad about dysfunctional relationships. Who hasn’t been deeply infatuated with someone who makes them crazy? “45” is the anthem of anyone who held onto a relationship that was doomed to end.
Band member Hamilton Fredericks said this is his favorite song to play. He said it was inspired by many of the colorful people he’s known throughout his life.
“Ball and Chain” is a more upbeat look at relationships. It’s a nice contrast to the last fashionably poignant song, but its placement is a bit questionable. It would’ve made more sense to place this song before “45.”
“Love Sucks,” a song about the trials and tribulations of love, demonstrates the rap skills of Cloud 9’s two MCs. It’s probably one of the catchiest and relatable tracks on “Evolution 9.”
Like someone who’s sick of hearing about their best friend’s lackluster love life, you’ll be glad when “Evolution 9” shifts focus to how hard it is to survive as an artist. “Ketchup,” like “How Ya Livin’,” muses on what it’s like to be a rock star struggling to rise.
“Brace Yourself” is a wildly enjoyable spitfire of political statements. It alludes to current events without bashing anyone in the government. It does, however, encourage people to oppose the system and stand for what they believe in.
One of the last five songs, “The Dream,” talks about the dark side of reaching fame. The emcee emphasizes the importance of having a band behind you. This is understandable because all the different band members contribute to the mesmerizing amalgam that makes “Evolution 9” worth jamming out to.
Cloud 9 shouldn’t have a problem obtaining unrestrained bliss if they stick to their style. Cloud 9 shouldn’t have a problem obtaining unrestrained bliss if they stick together
