Asher Roth Fell Asleep In The Bread Isle

Asher Roth exploded onto the rap scene in 2008, armed with the uber popular The Greenhouse Effect mix tape. From that moment on, it seemed as though his place in the world was cemented. This college educated rapper started rapping back when he was a teen and started to develop a following from the moment he went to college. That would only further his career when he released his underground hit "I Love College," towards the end of 2008. Six months later, as summer rapidly approaches, he's just unleashed his debut album Asleep In the Bread Isle and it looks like the rest of this year might just be his for the taking.

The first thing you notice about Asleep In the Bread Isleis just how much, at times, it sounds like an Eminem record. Which when you think about it, is kind of ironic seeing as though Slim himself is plotting his comeback. Asher Roth's inflection at times is so close to Eminem's you might even begin to wonder if they're not one and the same. The similarity and potential cloning is something Roth doesn't deny, in fact, he even rhymes about it on "As I Em."

Regardless of the obvious similarities, Asher Roth does have skills and he's quite easily able to come up with his own rhymes that in all honestly are on another level then most of the competition. Say what you will about college, but it's certainly opened Asher's mind and he uses that on just about every tune here whether it in a humorous way or making a political statement. To be honest, it's rather refreshing to hear someone with a complete sense of irony about them who is unafraid to use it and poke fun at not only himself but the world around him.

Asleep In the Bread Isleis a nice combination of indie hop grooves and intelligence as well as mainstream aspirations and potential radio hits. That being said, it's not surprising, "I Love College," makes an appearance on Asleep In the Bread Isle and it really sums up the quirky sense of humor and mid-20's attitude that Asher Roth has. Asleep In the Bread Isleis a great listen; it's lazy suburban aspiration (he did fall asleep in the bread isle after all) mixed with just the right amount of urban grit and it shines like a diamond in the rough.

Having listened to this a bunch, it's easy to see this kid who enjoys a few illegal things a bit too much becoming a sensation pretty much everywhere. Sometimes you can just tell when someone has got that knack, and Asher Roth is one of those artists. He's funny, edgy, intelligent, and unafraid to take risks and it's those things that are paying dividends right now. If you don't believe me, all you have to do to see that is check out Asleep In the Bread Isle.