As sonically rich as it is lyrically inspirational, the debut album by the hip-hop/gospel duo
Missionary Men mixes unfailingly positive raps and strong, sung vocal hooks with a widescreen musical aesthetic. The tracks are built on unexpected musical hooks like the vaguely threatening low-register throb that underpins "Make It Hott," and the completely unexpected use of a sitar (?!) on several songs. Over these ear-grabbing sonic choices, the duo's raps are clear-eyed looks at real situations that emphasize personal choice and decision-making without being either hectoring or overly simplistic. The handful of linking skits and interlude tracks are disposable, as they are on most hip-hop albums, and that's the key to
Homesick: this is a strong, musically solid hip-hop album with a positive Christian message, not a Christian album with some lame hip-hop beats grafted onto it. ~ Stewart Mason