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[Album Review] 'Personal Journal Vol. I' - Cliz

[Album Review] 'Personal Journal Volume I' - Cliz

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For over two years, Cliz has worked on putting together his Personal Journal to release to the world. Over 50 songs were written, but only 11 made the cut. These 11 songs (and 3 interludes) show his strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerability. Personal Journal Volume I gives you an inside look at every aspect of his life starting with stories that even his closest friends haven't heard. The Florida artist started out writing poetry before he got into hip-hop and you will hear that throughout the project.

Cliz begins Personal Journal Volume I with a very inspiring message for listeners letting us know anything is possible. The intro only goes on for about a minute before he gets into the first track. It starts out slow but builds momentum. After listening to "Built Up" I can tell the album will be heavy in storytelling which I enjoy very much. "Another Day In The Lab" is the second song on the 14-track album and it begins with a smooth transition from track 1. Storytelling and rhyming are in full effect through the entire track and Cliz doesn't waste one second of the instrumental. "One Day" is next and Cliz explains how he got started making music. He grabbed a guitar hero mic one day, plugged it into audacity and keep creating ever since. He explains how he is fighting the odds but making music is a part of his DNA so he won't stop until he is successful. The first of three interludes follows "One Day" and it is a poetry piece instead of a skit. He continues telling his story of starting his rap career influenced by Lil Wayne. That brings us to "Sistine on the Sixteen" and the first feature on Personal Journal Volume I, dr. O. This is the also the first instrumental on the tape that bangs. Cliz really shows his rapper side on this track flowing with the beat and delivering two strong verses. Cliz transfers the energy from the previous track to "Let Me Talk To 'Em Real Quick" with another hard hitting beat and track-full of lyrics. The short minute and a half track proves once again that Cliz can rap with the best of them. "What To Call This?" (prod. by Adrian Adonis) marks the halfway point of Personal Journal Volume I and he takes a break from the rap style beats for a couple minutes. With the focus on his lyrics, Cliz explains that he isn't your normal artist and he is ready for his takeover.

The second half of the album starts with a short skit explaining the pay gap between CEOs and employees. I like that Cliz included this in his album because it's an important issue that is facing workers everywhere. Cliz keeps his sound with "Shenanigans" flowing all over Maran's beat. At this point, the album sounds like one long song which I think all artists should aim for. It's important to stick to your style so that you don't sound like other rappers. Big ups to Cliz for keeping it 100. "Do Not Be The One..." follows and Cliz doesn't hesitate to start spitting flames. It sounds like he is coming for that rap god title. The second and last feature comes on "Come a Time" with Layne Harper. Cliz's rhyme schemes are out of this world by now. I will need to run back almost every track on the tape to get every line. He brings back the poetry for "Clockwork Interlude" and it packs a powerful message. The thing I like about poetry is that it makes you focus on the lyrics. A lot of rap nowadays is focused on the beat which takes away the importance of the emcee. Cliz is helping bring back lyrics and I respect him for that because I am a big fan of lyrics. "Clockwork" the track come next and it is one of my favorite on the album. Nothing seems forced and Cliz stays on beat throughout the track. The last and final track on Personal Journal Volume I is "No More". If Cliz was to have a "club hit" on the album, it would be this track. The beat bangs and the hook is catchy (in a good way). Cliz finished the album just as he started it; strong.

Connect with Cliz
www.itsclizzy.com
Facebook.com/ItsClizzy
Twitter.com/ItsClizzy
Instagram.com/cliz
Soundcloud.com/itsclizzy
Youtube.com/user/ItsClizzy

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