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Once Lifted, Twice Shy by Dirty-Dirt McGurt review

Dirty-Dirt McGurt (aka Ryan “Dirt” Barbin) is a singer/songwriter, rapper and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, piano, bass, drums and more!) hailing from Marksville, Louisiana. His music is essentially hip-hop but with a strong pop leaning that makes it more commercial than some of the more hardcore rap and hip-hop.
This track, Once Lifted, Twice Shy is a perfect encapsulation of his sound. It begins with just a beat and low-end organ that creates anticipation for what’s coming. The verse is rapped, the lyrics describing his paranoia about being in trouble having been ‘lifted’ before. He switches to singing for the second half of the verse which leads to the bridge refrain of “like the world is trying to break me down“.

It leads up to a superb chorus featuring an instantly memorable vocal hook, which lifts the track as any good chorus should. The bassline becomes much more funky and melodic here, which adds to the groove. The second verse breaks down to just drums and vocals, continuing the theme, McGirt bemoaning how “this world of corruption breaks my function“.

The third verse brings another rap and this alternating between the two styles keeps the track from dragging, providing contrast. Overall, this is a classy, insanely catchy slice of hip-hop that manages to be commercial and radio friendly, whilst lyrically being cutting edge and relevant. It would actually be surprising if this doesn’t become a big hit, it would be a grave injustice if that isn’t the case.

Debut Album – Dirty-Dirt McGurt “First March” :
http://itunes.apple.com/album/id314865145

First March” available on ITunes, Spotify, etc. “What The World Needs” and “Yeah I Heard That”
http://www.youtube.com/dirtydirtmc

Download the new Dirty-Dirt McGurt app for android devices:
http://www.reverbnation.com/dirtydirtmcgurt/android

Dirty-Dirt’s newest album “Hard Work and DIRTermination” is set for release in December 2014. Dirt has started the buzz for his new album, by releasing the first single “Once Lifted Twice Shy” featuring DeAndre Flewellen. The single track is now available for download on ITunes, Spotify, Amazon, Rhapsody, etc.
http://www.dirtydirtmc.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/dirtydirtmcgurt

By Alex Faulkner

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