Review: Adam WarRock – This Man…This Emcee!

That is why the use of a genre term like nerdcore strikes me as a little unfiar when it comes to a work like Adam WarRock’s new EP; The Man…This Emcee!  Adam WarRock, along with production by Dale Chase, has crafted a collection of songs that have an appeal that is going to extend beyond just geeks and nerds. There is definitely nerdy references in these songs, but that isn’t the whole of the picture.

Adam WarRock is a lawyer turned D.I.Y. rapper who has made a name for himself by playing in the sandbox of nerd culture. He has covered topics ranging from This American Life host Ira Glass to Scott Pilgrim. Which….now that I have written that doesn’t seem like that wide of a spectrum. Again, this is the unfairness of talking about the topic instead of the message.

There is a lot to like about the message behind the songs on This Man…This Emcee! Boiled down it is all about finding yourself and following your own path, regardless of what others expect of you. That just because we take different paths doesn’t mean we all can’t get along. The fact that he does this with songs talking about Ultron  is just a charming bonus. Hip Hop as a genre leans heavily on the personal experience of the lyricist. The skill lies in turning that experience into a story worth listening to. The story here isn't just comics; it is about someone who grown up with comics and how that colors his view of the world. WarRock attacks this from several different angles.

Marvel vs. DC isn’t a lyrical exercise in deciding which is better, but a plea to realize how much we all have in common. New Sincerity deals with discovering your path in life and being true to yourself. Nerd Corps  is a hyperactive call to arms for the nerds of the world to join together. The most clever moment of the EP belongs to Sad Ultron, where WarRock weaves a tale about seeking acceptance around the long time Avengers foe. The catchy Johnny Wanderin’ delves back into introspection about your role in the world. These topics seem awfully heavy but Adam shows a quick wit that defuses any threat of getting too deep into navel gazing.

WarRock manages to also dip into more traditional hip hop themes like authenticity and having the world stacked against you. These moments might be the only chinks in the armor as WarRock’s laid back charming moments seem more natural than exhortations about being an outsider. That is the curse of being gifted with a lyrical charm, it is hard to imagine that anyone wouldn’t want to pay attention.

This isn’t just a guy listing off Avengers members over a beat. This is an artist sharing a blend of passions, which is going to speak to even the non nerds out there. Comics are just a jumping off point and not the end goal. Though jumping off from a cyborg IS a pretty strong start. WarRock's music is worth a listen, even if you don't have an affinity for twenty sided dice.