Following an unsuccessful one-album stint with Tommy Boy, Midwestern hardcore rapper
Shoestring returned to his indie roots, joining forces with the Detroit-based Overcore label. While the major-label, glossy sound of his Tommy Boy album was indeed a pleasure, the gritty, lo-fi sound of
Cross Addicted is more fitting for
Shoestring, an artist far too harsh for the majors. Besides the street-quality production,
Shoestring brings some menacing rhymes to the table, along with some catchy hooks, dropping lyrics about everything from cars and drugs to hoes and parties to cops and killing. With 20 songs, there's plenty of ground to cover, and a steady degree of variety from one track to the next. It's perhaps most impressive how
Shoestring doesn't rely on guest rappers for the sense of variety, instead relying on the production, his subject matter, and his songwriting. Overall, the Flint, MI, rapper doesn't compromise his agenda for anybody here, giving all the thugs and ruffnecks what they're looking for. An improvement over his debut,
Cross Addicted also shows
Shoestring's growth as an artist. ~ Jason Birchmeier