Panacea - The Scenic Route

Unfortunately, Panacea aren't the cure we've been looking for.
As a palliative, Panacea have some comfort to offer the jaded and weary hip-hop heads. As far as the ground, however, it remains no more broken than it ever was. With echoes of the less popular (and often less interesting) end of the P-funk phenomenon, this is a dreamy album for dreamers. If you're after escapism and don't mind your destination being a timeshare somewhere low key on funk's more mellow beaches, this could be what you're after. Panacea's music abides in a lush world, and its verdant lawns stretch for miles... it just isn't all that exciting. A sample of Method Man's 4,3,2,1 lets us know what they listen to on The Scenic Route, but you'd be hard pressed to see what they've brought to this album from that experience. The album feels like it wants to be a J.Dilla joint, but it doesn't have the tough heart that held his smooth and silky style together. Forgettable vocals and beats too concerned with layering combine to make this an album for the dedicated mellow hip-hopper only. Party heads and booty shakers should avoid.
[James Blake]