5 Sparrows for 2 Cents

by Andy KellmanThe first release on the rejuvenated Rawkus label, 5 Sparrows for 2 Cents is the second album from the Procussions, a self-contained trio from Colorado. The group's website mentions something about rewriting the rules of rap, but it's not stated what those rules are; no matter what they might be, the group isn't offering anything out of the ordinary. They sound exactly like the kind of group that should be on Rawkus -- lots of mic-swapping verses leading into amped-up group chant choruses, functional beats that occasionally excite, and sloganeering galore. It's apparent that the group places a limitless value on the East Coast rap of the late '80s and early '90s, as well as those who have followed the path since, such as Jurassic 5 and several other Rawkus favorites of the late '90s and early 2000s. They're passionate, they have integrity, and they want to let you know that they have a purpose. While the album is spirited and competent, not much of it is memorable.