Hard Times Music: In Her Music Box by Atmosphere

When doing a series on Hard Times Music, once obviously has to begin with “Hard Times” by Curtis Mayfield.  However, this idea initially started while listening to Atmosphere’s latest album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold.  This is an album full of beautiful songs about hard times. 

My three favorite songs from the album:

• Opening Track, “Like The Rest Of Us” — The piano loop in the background is fucking fantastic.  Killer lines include: “Not every pony grows up to be a pegasus”.

• “Me” — The production on this song is strong.  The vocal loop creates an atmosphere that is slightly epic and slightly eerie, which is perfect for the story being told: a kid growing up in circumstances that are less than auspicious, yet not entirely unfamiliar to a listener.

• Final Track, “In Her Music Box” — This track is a treasure.  The story telling is strong - on par with Biggie Smalls.  The character development is stronger than anything I can think of in any genre.  (And I thought about it for a little bit.  But not super long.)  The production = good.  Very very good.

She sings along like dad does
She knows all the words but she leaves out the bad ones
Except bitch, she always sings the word bitch
Cause it makes her daddy laugh, it’s her magic trick

Amazon mp3: In Her Music Box | Full Album
Atmosphere on Wikipedia