Album Review: PT Burnem – “Ornithopter”0
Posted by - In Music, Reviews
I’m new to PT Burnem‘s music, but not to the name (pretty sure I’ve seen Brzowski, MC Homeless, and Nomar Slevik talk about him here and there). That’s him in the picture you see above, rockin’ some crazy, cool self-made goggles.
PT Burnem, a rapper and producer from Baltimore, is getting ready to drop his fourth album, titled “Ornithopter“. The album was “Conceived under duress after his production tools were seized by the Moscow police. Ornithopter reflects the connection between Burnem’s touring live show and his album creation process.” If this album is a small reflection of how he is live on stage, then sign me up for tickets (in Arizona, yeah?). It’s complete with 8 tracks that play fully in about 20 minutes. He rides alongside mechanical, sometimes fidgity, beats with an aggressive energy and something to say.
The first track, “Live In St. Entienne” is a raw recording from his European tours… giving you an amuse-bouche taste of a live performance. The album is knee-deep in personal expression, and those type of songs seem to be among my favorites. “Warm Water” evokes strong emotions of sadness, frustration, and a struggle with life (“Warm water and cold beer // Everything I need is right here // I’ve got these troubles that keep me so vexed // I’m gonna sit in the tub and wait for the drug to take effect.“)
“Last Best Summer” uses that same submergence in water analogy for lack of control, or loss of life. With that said, when I listened to this track (over and over), I got strong political notes. Not the type of political where he’s trying to force feed you opinions, though. I’m just saying that there’s messages in there, as a conscious person of society, that’s speaking on economy issues, political figures, and higher authorities in power. Some parts reminded me of the current issue of the SOPA/PIPA acts. The inevitable big-brother, “we are watching you”, eye on the internet. So enjoy the last best summer while you can.
“These pills can kill an infection // These pills can quell inhibitions // These pills can swell an erection…” “Pac Man Nation” is more than just a song about taking drugs. It plays on the robotic, same routine, nature that a large percentage of people get put in when they’re being medicated. For good reason, or for bad. Doctors and parents deciding how a child should or shouldn’t be, and if they’re different, they should take pills to correct that “wrong” (such as a kid with A.D.D. or A.D.H.D.). Medication prescribed to make something better, and when those results become true… you want them, and that outcome, all the time. Then the act of taking them every day becomes habit. Just keep on chomping on them like a Pac Man. And, of course, the constant need to refill prescriptions equal a massive amount of money into the pockets of pharmaceutical businesses and shit, drained from your hands. Don’t mean to talk about another artist, but it follows that same type of path that Rafael Casal went in on his A.D.D. spoken word piece. Both really good tracks.
I think that “A Thousand Miles” was recorded while on tour. A lovely melody of keys play over dusty drums bubbling in the background, while Burnem lays vocals about being far away from home and loved ones. It’s like a letter to home. “… Pay them no mind, darling // Yours, P.T. // P.S. I’ll be home soon.”
This is just a few observations and opinions on a few tracks. Overall, this album is a solid 4.5/5 to me.
“Ornithopter” will be available on February 11th via Flyrock Records, but you are more than welcome to pre-order it over here. The $5 digital album will be sent to you the minute it releases, and the $10 vinyl (which comes with the digital copy, stickers and a postcard from his travels) will be mailed out within a week of the release date. Pre-orders also come with an exclusive bonus track, a Matty G. remix of “Gypsy Heart Rock”.
Until then, watch the black and white video (shot in Leipzig, Germany, by Arvid Wünsch) for the single “Midas Touch” (the version on the album is slightly different and intensified).
Burnem’s production on the record is more nuanced and purposeful than ever, sampled content blending seamlessly with multi layered drums and synths. On “Ornithopter”, Burnem’s constantly evolving style is defined by the dynamics of his instrumentals and urgent delivery of lyrics with substance.
PURCHASE
