By the Time I Get to Phoenix | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 15, 2021 | |||
Recorded | 2019–2020 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 41:14 | |||
Label | Self-released | |||
Producer |
| |||
Injury Reserve chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from By the Time I Get to Phoenix | ||||
|
By the Time I Get to Phoenix is the second and final studio album by American rap group Injury Reserve. It was released on September 15, 2021, and is dedicated to late member Stepa J. Groggs, who died during the recording of the album. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The album features Bruiser Brigade rapper ZelooperZ, with production contributions from Black Midi drummer Morgan Simpson, as well as Body Meat, Jam City, and SADPONY.
Once the tracklist came together and we started to make sense of it, one of the last phone conversations we had with Groggs was over his love for the repurposing of Isaac Hayes’ By the Time I Get to Phoenix to title the album. Shortly thereafter we were struck with his loss and of course everything was put on hold, but eventually, we regathered and felt most comfortable finishing this album we had made as it still resonated fully (in some respects even taking on what felt like haunting pre-echoes) and above all else stayed true to his constant insistence while recording to simply ‘make some weird shit.’
While touring in Europe after the release of their self-titled 2019 album, the group performed an improvised DJ set remixing their songs to create a new avant-garde style; at one point in the set, they remixed Black Country, New Road song "Athens, France". This impromptu sample flip, along with improvised vocals by Ritchie With a T, laid the foundation for one of the album's two singles, "Superman That". Inspired by this set, they pursued this experimental sonic direction when crafting their next album. [4] The album's production was influenced by tumultuous events in 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests. Halfway through the year, the album was mostly completed, when Stepa J. Groggs died. Following his death, the group went on a brief two-month hiatus before completing the remainder of the album. [7] The remaining group members named the album, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, as Groggs had suggested. [2]
The album explores a variety of personal themes ranging from hopelessness, death, and despair. Some songs also touch on the political themes of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increase of conspiracy theories during that time. A good majority of the lyrical content was heavily influenced by the sudden death of emcee Ritchie with a T's stepfather. [8] As an effect, the writing ventures away from the typical verse-chorus structure with most songs lacking a chorus, hook, or bridge to create friction and tension. During the recording process, Ritchie with a T would record his vocals in a dark room:
"I recorded all my stuff alone in a dark room, but this created a truth. I was trying to rap in new voices so I could get out of my head." [8]
In response to the lyrics, the album embraces a more deconstructed, dissonant sound in terms of production in comparison to the group's previous releases. In an article for The New Yorker, Sheldon Pearce categorized the album as a "post-rap epic, exploding with poignant music that is hectic, congested, and glitchy." [4]
Following a year-long silence, the album's release date and name was revealed on the group's social media alongside a statement with no prior warning. [9] The album was made available for pre-order the same day via Bandcamp. The lead single, "Knees", was released the following day accompanied by a music video. [10]
Another single, "Superman That" was teased on August 30, 2021 through their social media. It was released on September 1, 2021 with a music video. [11] Simultaneously with the release of "Superman That", a black vinyl pressing packaged with a poster limited to 1,000 copies was made available on their website. [12]
A week prior to the release of the album, an international tour was revealed with musicians Zeroh & Slauson Malone as supporting acts on the American leg of the tour. [13] Tickets for all touring dates were made live on their website on September 10, 2021. [14] Due to unforeseen circumstances, Zeroh was replaced by electronic producer Colloboh as a supporting act. [15] On November 2, it was announced that frequent collaborator and musician Body Meat would join the European leg of the tour. [16] Native dance troupe, Indigenous Enterprise opened the New York show without any prior announcement. [17]
Two days prior to the release of the album, a release show limited to 50 occupants held in Palabra in Phoenix, Arizona was announced via their social media. [18] It was held on September 16, 2021, one day after the release of the album and was livestreamed on the group's Instagram. Shortly thereafter, the group announced a 2 hour radio mix for English online radio station NTS. It featured remixes of Soulja Boy's 2007 single "Crank Dat" and the Jockstrap song "The City". It also featured edits of the released singles, "Superman That", and "Knees". [19]
One day prior to the release of the album, another smoke-colored vinyl pressing limited to 1,000 copies without a poster was announced on their social media. It was made available on their website coinciding with the release. [20] The album released worldwide on September 15, 2021 through streaming and digital download. A general release red-colored vinyl and merchandise was made available on their website for one week following the release. [21] [22]
In an interview with Anthony Fantano of The Needle Drop, the group revealed that the album was completed in the final months of 2020, and was to be released that year, but their record label Loma Vista refused to release it commercially. [7] The label released the group from their contract after they requested it, and allowed them to independently release the album. [23]
The album cover was designed by band member Parker Corey and was sourced from a frame of a National Geographic documentary, where the camera crew filmed a man standing outside in a dust storm. [24]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 82/100 [25] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Exclaim! | |
Clash | 9/10 [26] |
Loud and Quiet | 6/10 |
Under the Radar | 5.5/10 |
Flood Magazine | 8/10 |
Beats Per Minute | 80% |
Sputnikmusic | [27] |
Pitchfork | 7.7/10 |
By the Time I Get to Phoenix was met with critical acclaim while polarizing critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 82 based on 9 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [25]
Critics commented on the jarring experimental nature of the album in comparison to previous releases. Wesley McLean of Exclaim! deemed the project "the most experimental and least accessible Injury Reserve project thus far, abandoning any semblance of tradition or convention", and went on to herald it as "an abstract, melancholic and affecting body of work that is not only another incredible addition to a stellar discography, but a magnificent and moving tribute to a friend gone too soon". [28] Jack Oxford of Clash similarly commended the innovative production, calling it "a truly dystopian impression of despair, smashing together polar opposite genres to create something wholly new" before pondering if the album could be considered "post-rap". [29] In a positive review for The New Yorker , Sheldon Pearce discussed the effectiveness of the group's multi-genre approach, writing, "It’s in the smoking wreckage of the Injury Reserve sound that the members found the radical yet tuneful music they’d been seeking all along—it isn’t rap or pop or punk, but it’s also all of those things at once". [4]
In a more mixed review, Joey Arnone of Under the Radar criticized the disorganization of the release, describing it as "a patchwork of ideas than anything, resembling a puzzle with all of its pieces scattered", while praising the emotional depth of tracks like "Top Picks for You". [30]
Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Sputnikmusic | Staff's Top 50 Albums of 2021 | 4 | [31] |
PopMatters | The 75 Best Albums of 2021 | 11 | [32] |
BrooklynVegan | 30 Best Rap Albums of 2021 | 14 | [33] |
Spin | The 30 Best Albums of 2021 | 19 | [34] |
NPR Music | The Best Music of 2021 | 20 | [35] |
Beats Per MInute | Top 50 Albums of 2021 | 39 | [36] |
Consequence of Sound | Top 50 Albums of 2021 | 41 | [37] |
All tracks credited to Injury Reserve. [38] [39]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Outside" |
| Injury Reserve | 6:14 |
2. | "Superman That" | Injury Reserve | 2:40 | |
3. | "SS San Francisco (feat. Zelooperz)" |
| Injury Reserve | 3:51 |
4. | "Footwork in a Forest Fire" |
| Injury Reserve | 3:36 |
5. | "Ground Zero" |
| Injury Reserve | 2:25 |
6. | "Smoke Don't Clear" |
|
| 2:30 |
7. | "Top Picks for You" |
|
| 4:32 |
8. | "Wild Wild West" |
| Injury Reserve | 2:28 |
9. | "Postpostpartum" |
| Injury Reserve | 4:10 |
10. | "Knees" |
| Injury Reserve | 5:03 |
11. | "Bye Storm" |
| Injury Reserve | 3:40 |
Total length: | 41:14 |
Credits are adapted from Tidal & Bandcamp. [38] [40]
Injury Reserve
Additional personnel
Get in the Zone is the debut studio album by Filipino boy band SB19, released on July 31, 2014, by Sony Music. It contains six original compositions, an electronic remix, and two instrumentals.
Zebrahead is an American rock band from La Habra, California, formed in 1996. The group's current line-up comprises rapper Ali Tabatabaee, bassist Ben Osmundson, drummer Ed Udhus, lead guitarist Dan Palmer and lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adrian Estrella. Playing a style of music that merges elements of pop-punk and hip hop music, they have released thirteen studio albums.
Infinite is the debut studio album by the American rapper Eminem. It was released on November 12, 1996, through Web Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at the Bass Brothers' studio, with production handled by Denaun Porter and Eminem himself. The album features guest vocals from fellow Detroit rappers Proof, Denaun Porter, Eye-Kyu, Moe Men-E, Three and Thyme, as well as singer Angela Workman.
Emotional Technology is the fourth studio album by electronica artist BT. Transitioning towards a more pop music oriented sound, the album features some of BT's more commercially successful releases, including "Somnambulist ", "The Force of Gravity" and "Superfabulous". "Somnambulist " holds the Guinness World Record for most vocal edits in a single track, with 6,178 in the album version. The album features vocal performances by JC Chasez, Rose McGowan, and BT himself, among others.
Split Personality is the debut studio album by American rapper Cassidy. It was released on March 16, 2004, by Full Surface Records and J Records.
Fabrizio Tarducci, better known by the stage name Fabri Fibra, is an Italian rapper. In his career he has sold more than 2.3 million certified copies.
"I Get Money" is the third single from 50 Cent's third album, Curtis. This song was #14 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007. The song peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Gold by the RIAA.
Aron Erlichman, better known by his stage name Deuce, is an American rapper, music producer and guitarist. Brought to fame as a member of the rap rock band Hollywood Undead, Deuce departed from Hollywood Undead in 2010 and has since moved on to solo work through the label "Five Seven Music", a branch of Eleven Seven Music. He was formerly involved in a movement with fellow rapper Truth called "Nine Lives". Deuce released his debut album of the same name on April 24, 2012, which sold 11,425 copies in its first week. Deuce has also collaborated with artists NXTREADY, Ronnie Radke, Brokencyde and Blood on the Dance Floor.
Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, also known by his stage name Earl Sweatshirt, is an American rapper and record producer. Kgositsile was originally known by the moniker Sly Tendencies when he began rapping in 2008, but changed his name when Tyler, the Creator invited him to join his alternative hip hop collective Odd Future in late 2009.
"Anything (To Find You)" is a song by American recording artist Monica taken from her seventh studio album, New Life (2012). It features additional vocals from American rapper Rick Ross, and was written and produced by longtime contributors Missy Elliott and Cainon Lamb with additional penning from fellow R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan, Henry Fuse, Miguel "Pro" Castro, and William Roberts. The song samples 1995's "Who Shot Ya?" performed by The Notorious B.I.G. and Diddy, and uses an interpolation of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1968 hit, "You're All I Need to Get By".
The Stoned Immaculate is the sixth studio album by American hip hop recording artist Curren$y. It was released through Warner Bros. Records on June 5, 2012. This release was his first "major" release through Warner Bros. The album features guest appearances from Pharrell, Wiz Khalifa, Estelle, 2 Chainz, Wale, Marsha Ambrosius, Daz Dillinger, Big K.R.I.T., Fiend, Corner Boy P, Young Roddy, Trademark da Skydiver, and Smoke DZA.
Indicud is the third studio album by American rapper Kid Cudi. It was released on April 16, 2013, by GOOD Music, Wicked Awesome Records, and Republic Records. It was the first album of Cudi's solo career to not be an installment of his Man on the Moon series. The album's cover artwork was designed by Kid Cudi himself, who also served as an executive producer of Indicud. It was Cudi's goal to make more uptempo and positive music with the album. He described it as a completely new format compared to his previous albums.
"Ronan" is a charity single by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was registered as a single with RIAA on September 7, then released as an iTunes-exclusive download on September 8, 2012, by Big Machine Records. The lyrics are based on a blog by Maya Thompson about her three-year-old son Ronan, who died from neuroblastoma in 2011. Swift wrote and produced the song by putting together quotes from the blog, crediting Thompson as co-writer. All proceeds from sales of "Ronan" were donated for charity causes to raise awareness of and fight against cancer.
Injury Reserve was an American hip hop group formed in 2012 in Tempe, Arizona. The group consisted of rappers Ritchie with a T, Stepa J. Groggs, and producer Parker Corey. After the death of Groggs in 2020 and the release of the group's second and final studio album, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, the remaining members regrouped under the name By Storm in July 2023.
Twenty88 is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Twenty88, composed of rapper Big Sean and R&B singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko. It was released on April 1, 2016, by Def Jam Recordings, in a joint venture with both artists' imprint labels, GOOD Music and ARTium Recordings. The album features guest appearances from American R&B group K-Ci & JoJo and record producer Detail. Production was handled by Detail himself, as well as KeY Wane, Tommy Brown, Sidney Swift, Cam O'bi, Steve Lacy, Flippa and Jproof.
KOD is the fifth studio album by American rapper J. Cole. It was released on April 20, 2018 through Dreamville Records, Roc Nation and Interscope Records.
Born 2 Rap is the ninth studio album by American rapper the Game. It was released on November 29, 2019, via eOne Music. Its release coincided with the Game's fortieth birthday. It was advertised as his final album before retiring, although Game resumed his recording career in 2021. It features guest appearances from Dom Kennedy, Ed Sheeran, 21 Savage, Anderson .Paak, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, D Smoke, J. Stone, Just Liv, Masego, Marsha Ambrosius, Miguel, Mozzy, Nipsey Hussle, Osbe Chill, Red Café, Sly Pyper, ToBi, Travis Barker and Trey Songz.
Injury Reserve is the debut studio album by American rap group Injury Reserve, released on May 17, 2019, through Loma Vista Recordings. This is their only release under Loma Vista, before departing shortly after the death of bandmate, Stepa J. Groggs. It follows several mixtapes by the group, including Live from the Dentist Office, 2016's Floss and 2017's extended play Drive It Like It's Stolen. The album features artists such as A-Trak, Rico Nasty, Aminé, DRAM, Freddie Gibbs, Cakes da Killa, Dylan Brady, Pro Teens, Tony Velour, and JPEGMafia.
"Up from the Ashes" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from the deluxe version of his tenth solo studio album, Donda (2021). The song was initially intended for West's ninth studio album Jesus Is King (2019) and previewed during listening parties in September and October 2019. The original track named was "Glade". West's singing on the song has been compared to his fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song leaked online in February 2020 alongside an alternate version featuring production done by Dr. Dre.
Call Me If You Get Lost is the seventh studio album by the American rapper Tyler, the Creator. The album was released on June 25, 2021, through Columbia Records. The album is narrated by DJ Drama and features guest appearances from 42 Dugg, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ty Dolla Sign, Lil Wayne, Domo Genesis, Brent Faiyaz, Lil Uzi Vert, Pharrell Williams, Teezo Touchdown, Fana Hues and Daisy World. Tyler produced the album himself, with additional production contributed by Jamie xx and Jay Versace.