Bam Bam Baklava, aka Action Bronson, is back with another album release ‘Only for Dolphins.’ It has been a busy couple of years for Action as he delves into television programs such as ‘Fuck, it’s delicious,’ ‘The Untitled Action Bronson Show’ & ‘Action Bronson and Friends Watch Ancient Aliens.’ He even had a cameo role in the movie ‘The Irishman’ as a coffin salesmen.
Action’s individualism, interesting taste, quick wit and charming personality shine and have made the multitalented chef/rapper/writer/tv star a cult figure. Action has been steadily releasing albums every year, does only for dolphins stack up against his others? I think so, but only just.
‘Only for Dolphins’ has drawn inspiration from his worldly travels with Turkish psych(not unusual from him), reggae, French film music, lovers rock & Russian funk influence. The sonic, free flowing, worldly sounds of the album definitely make you want to spark up a spliff. The album feels like a cool breeze coming over you, making the hairs on the back of your neck stick up.
The album kicks off with an epic Kayne-West-like horns type number called ‘Capoeira’ that gives it an epic beginning and sets the scene. ‘Latin Grammys,’ ‘Sergio’ and ‘Mongolia’ are also stand out tracks in the album.
The album is certainly an improvement from ‘Lamb and Rice’ & ‘White Bronco.’ ‘Only for Dolphins’ sits up there with his highly acclaimed ‘Blue Chips 7000’ & ‘Mr. Wonderful,’ but is probably just short of them.
I wish Action would stop using producers like The Alchemist for beats and maybe try a Hit-Boy. The randomness and referencing 90’s culture in his lyrics and laid-back efforts are getting stale. His albums certainly don’t compare to say a heartfelt, meaningful Marshall Mathers LP or Nas Illmatic, though I guess he will just never be that kind of rapper, touching on important issues, reflecting deeply on his life experience and sharing it. And that’s ok.
Is Bronson ‘spreading himself too thin’ by doing so many projects at once? His music seems unfinished, rushed if you may. Strangely though, I still love the guy’s rap style, personality and will follow his every move. I even bought his book about not a lot, ‘Stoned Beyond Belief.’ In conclusion, this album sits as a successful ‘return to form’ for Bronson.
Rap World 