This review is one of my two entries into the fourth annual "I'll Show You Mine If You'll Show Me Yours" write-off, which I also host. Basically, writers are paired off and they each pick a CD for their partner to review...a CD that their partner would not normally touch with a ten foot pole...a full list of participants is at the bottom of this review, as well as on my profile page. My first partner was crypticcradle. Be sure to check out his take on the album I assigned him, The Black Crowes' Southern Harmony and Musical Companion.

When crypticcradle emailed me about what discs he was picking for me (he gave me an option of 2), I immediately assumed that I would be reviewing Danger Mouse and Jemini's collaborative effort. Unfortunately, finding a record store with this disc in stock was a challenge. With time running out, I decided to try and find the other album he gave me. And with all due respect to Mr Mouse and Mr Jemini, I'm really really happy that he gave me the choice of Ugly Duckling's Taste the Secret.

Ugly Duckling is a trio of rappers from the LA Suburbs who formed in 1995. Reminiscent of other groups influenced by jazz, they had no interest in the gangsta rap that was so popular at the time of their formation. They named themselves Ugly Duckling in response to how they were perceived amongst all the gangsta rap acts.

Taste the Secret is an album detailing the experiences of working at a fast food joint called Meat Shake, where yes, everything has meat in it. The whole concept of the album sounds silly, but it helps to play up the playful nature of the songs and the music backing tracks. There's even a rival chain called Veggie Hut, "where you can eat some leaves and grin."

The album begins with Opening Act, a funny and goofy song about yes, the opening acts at concerts. "We know you waited two years for your favorite band to tour, but you're stuck watching us who you've never heard before." The beat is basic, though the music sounds like it came straight off a Fresh Prince album from 1988. And that's not necessarily a bad thing...

Turn it Up is a party/dance track with a blistering horn hook, and it works well in leading into MeatShake, a song with a creeping bassline that should get you nodding your head along in no time. The track works as a true intro to what MeatShake is all about: serving meat in every single thing that is on the menu, and directing those who don't like this fact over to Veggie Hut.

Energy Drink works as another high energy dance track with a killer beat and a vocal delivery reminiscent in tone of Rapper's Delight. The song that follows, The Drive-Thru, is more restrained in its vibe. It's also one of the funnier tracks on the record, where Andy Cooper has a full discussion on the menu and what it contains ("chicken, pork or steak" for shake flavors for example). When the customer continues to question the menu choices, Andy gets fed up and finally lays into him ("they play world music so it's perfect for a hippie"). You gotta love the "shouldn't you be reading Dianetics" line as well.

La Revolucion is one of the more serious tracks on the record, with another killer bassline and the horn section in full effect. The song works in showing off the group's rap skills; on the rest of the album the delivery can sound a bit too simple in terms of flow. This track rectifies that with an excellent flow.

The Confrontation is a slow jam back and forth between Andy and a Veggie Hut employee named Brianna. Brianna rips into the whole Meat Shake operation, only to have Andy goof on her ("hey Brianna, I just killed a fly, is that murder?").

The album closes with the trippy and dreamlike Goodnight Now, which finds the MeatShake employees going home and looking to fall asleep.

When I picked this album up, I had no idea what to expect. What I got was a greatly enjoyable disc that is refreshing for the fact that the group doesn't take themselves seriously in the least. The album has a whole throwback feel to it, to a simpler time in hip hop when it wasn't a crime to be fun. This is a solid alternative to the D12s and 50 Cents of the world. Pick it up, kick back, nod your head, and remind yourself of what "old school" should truly mean in the world of hip hop.

Other participants in the 4th annual I'll Show You Mine If You'll Show Me Yours Write Off (links to be added as reviews are posted):

jennjoy and andym173

minorthreat78 and sixerman

grandpa_riot and plorentz

guildenstern and stairway2drew

jeff_wilder78 and DrFaustus

speeddemon531 and lambchops

foxy_shy and shilmafone

teamfreak16 and musicsucks

flamepillar and given2flymike

crypticcradle and matta75 (that's me!)

redsox75 and pacmany2j

crazedkrinkle and titan45

divad23 and bob_tomato

roheblius and jiggyjay

cletta1201 and matta75 (that's me again!)

Recommended: Yes