TSOL cover

TSOL

Shad · 2010

44 min · 14 tracks · alternative hip-hop

A vibrant blend of introspective lyrics and eclectic production, showcasing Shad's lyrical dexterity and artistic vision.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Rose Garden — This track stands out with its poignant metaphor about growth amidst adversity, setting the tone for the album’s introspective journey.
  • →
    Keep Shining — A powerful anthem of resilience, this song captures Shad's optimistic outlook while addressing societal challenges, making it a highlight of his discography.
  • →
    Yaa I Get It — This track features clever wordplay and sharp observations on contemporary life, showcasing Shad's lyrical prowess and ability to connect with diverse audiences.

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

Shad's TSOL combines thoughtful lyrics with eclectic production, maintaining a strong identity while exploring various themes.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a brief intro that sets a reflective tone, followed by tracks that alternate between upbeat and introspective themes.
  • Several tracks feature layered production with varied instrumentation, including strings and electronic elements, enhancing the lyrical content.
  • The interlude 'Call Waiting' serves as a pause in the narrative flow, creating a moment of reflection before the final tracks.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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 Intro 1:52
  • 2 Rose Garden 2:59
  • 3 Keep Shining 3:29
  • 4 Lucky 1's 4:04
  • 5 A Good Name 2:29
  • 6 We Are the Ones (Reservoir Poetry) 4:10
  • 7 Telephone 3:40
  • 8 Call Waiting (interlude) 1:53
  • 9 Yaa I Get It 3:51
  • 10 Listen 2:57
  • 11 At the Same Time 4:56
  • 12 We, Myself and I 3:43
  • 13 Outro 0:59
  • 14 It's About Time 3:18

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata