"Is this CD a cry for help?/ Is it taking up too much space on my shelf?/ Is it for me and no one else?/ Is every track meant to be an intro, where the opportunity is clouded by the bird shit on the window?/ My face is pressed against the window…am I the bird shit?/ Is music laced with nervousness really a great purchase?" So goes the appropriate manner in which Nobs introduces Musicide, his first full-length contribution to rising fledgling label 3SC. Heavy on the introspective and self-effacing poetics, and backed by some simple (yet surprisingly catchy) beats, Nobs spends the lion's share of the album questioning himself and the thoughts that run through his head. If the concept sounds familiar, it's because it is; self-examination in rap is no new concept. Quite the popular subject matter these days, you can refer to the likes of Sole, Lyrics Born, Sage Francis, and the rest of today's flock of pensive emcees championing the cause for self-awareness. Despite the endemic nature of a lot of the album's content, Nobs manages to keep the delivery of his material relatively fresh and unique. Though a great deal of his lyrics may seem a bit esoteric, he manages not make his songs completely impenetrable. Stepping in and out of being completely blunt, and at other times writing knotty, veiled rhymes, he keeps the listener on their toes as he weaves tales of substance abuse ("Diseased You"), poor parenting ("The Strained Voice"), and, well, y'know, ripping wack emcees and such ("Seinfeld" and "Crippled Defense"). Hurling his words in a voice and delivery that is at times similar to that of Rhymesayer wunderkind Eyedea, but with a tinge of a guttural New York intonation, Nobs shows a strong tendency for self-deprecating lyrics and proves himself to be an apt storyteller, with the highly personal compositions "Diseased You" and "The Strained Voice" best illustrating his knack for poetry. They are written and conveyed to the listener well enough that one can seem to identify with the artist, despite content that can easily be alienating. Speaking of which, alienating the listener may be the biggest problem with Nobs' writing. Much of what he says on this record is so personal that the average listener may find it hard to relate, and it can sadly impede one's ability to actually enjoy this otherwise solid effort. As far as the albums beats go, they often sound a little bare in relation to much of what makes up today's prevalent underground sound. Provided by 3SC member Slomoshun, they are generally comprised of straightforward drum patterns paired with either a lilting piano or guitar loop. For the most part, Slomoshun is able to pull off this simplistic style, though it can at times be hit-or-miss, dependent upon how well the basic elements correlate. Highlights include "Fair Weather Song", which in all its sluggish repetition never really grows tiring, and is in fact a very effective, albeit slightly unorthodox hip hop beat. The same goes for "Crippled Defense" and "The Strained Voice", both of which were built upon simple loops and sparse drum patterns. One very positive aspect about the beats is that they never override the emcees words, and never overwhelm the listener…they play their part well; they are something rhythmic and unobtrusive over which the poet can bare his soul. Overall, Musicide is a nifty blend of raw poetry and traditional hip hop aesthetics. With a good grasp of lyricism and possessing a distinct sound, Nobs, along with the rest of the members of Three Sides Of A Circle, seems to have a pretty bright future ahead of him in the world of underground hip hop. But oddly enough, if you asked him, he'd probably tell you otherwise. - Jed Miranda