What makes Spitshine by Urthboy notable?

Spitshine received critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and production quality, earning Urthboy a nomination for Best Urban Album at the 2010 ARIA Awards. Its impact on the Australian hip-hop landscape is notable, influencing a generation of artists to incorporate more narrative-driven content into their music. By the time Urthboy released Spitshine in 2009, he had already established himself as a key figure in the Australian hip-hop scene following his debut album, The Signal. This release marked a significant moment in his career, showcasing his growth as a lyricist and solidifying his place within the Elefant Traks label family.

How many songs are on Spitshine?

Spitshine has 13 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Spitshine

Urthboy · 2009

52 min · 13 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant blend of Australian hip-hop infused with introspective lyrics and dynamic beats that resonate deeply with personal and social themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Spitshine — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, blending catchy hooks with sharp commentary on personal struggles and societal observations.
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Hellsong — This track showcases Urthboy's storytelling ability, weaving a gripping narrative that explores themes of identity and resilience amidst adversity.
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Fight Fire — With its anthemic chorus and powerful message, this song stands out as a call to action, reflecting the urgency of addressing social issues.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album blends personal and social themes with dynamic production, showcasing Urthboy's lyrical skill and musical versatility.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response patterns, particularly evident in tracks like 'Ready to Go' and 'Hellsong'.
Several tracks incorporate live instrumentation alongside programmed beats, creating a dynamic sound that shifts between organic and electronic elements.
Lyrically, the album balances personal introspection with broader social commentary, often shifting perspectives within individual songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Til They Snatch This Last Page 3:30
2 Spitshine 3:02
3 Served 4:12
4 Ready to Go 3:41
5 Hellsong 3:59
6 Shruggin’ 4:01
7 Above the Canopy 4:32
8 Don’t Sideline Me 4:03
9 Usher in the Cool 5:05
10 Impossible Story 5:37
11 Them Shackles 3:43
12 Fight Fire 4:37
13 2000 and Whatever 2:22

What to play next

Listen next

Smokey's Haunt

2012

Go back to

The Signal

2007

Full Urthboy discography Artists like Urthboy

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata