Stave Magazine Review of Can't See the Forest
Can’t See the Forest - Sun Zoo
www.sun-zoo.com
by Christy Claxton

Here’s a literate rapper who really gives the “American way” an intelligent punch in the mouth.  Throughout this entire piece, Sun Zoo, gives us his perspective (and even takes his share of the blame on Track 1) on this dysfunctional life we lead.  He starts out with a moving piece he addresses to a sibling drug abuser.  He acknowledges his place in the society that drives his brother to drugs. Needless to say, I immediately loved this CD.

If there was any doubt that Sun Zoo could keep his brain in a feature role, he gives us Track 2, “Aldous Huxley,” that spins the cautionary tale of the brave new world that we’ve created by continuing to ignore the coming of fascism and totalitarian control in America.  The track includes a sample from the “Andy Griffith” show where Opie pleads with Andy to pay attention.

The goods just keep coming as “Victims” paints the very real picture of a girl trying to be Brittney or Paris, but our rapper doesn’t put down the stars.  He reminds us that they are better people than our culture defines them to be.  This is a smart young man who has succinctly defined a culture that honestly can’t see the forest for the trees.  The album is certainly political, but it isn’t angry.  It isn’t violent gangsta rap.  Think of it more as a hip hop dissertation.  If you think of yourself as too “well-healed” for rap, then this is the best place to experiment.  In fact, our artist even concedes that the sampling that dominates rap soundtracks is unoriginal.

Ultimately, this is a worldly, sad recording that is very personal, but also very universal.  Sun Zoo is one to watch.

-Christy Claxton, Stave Magazine