Homeboy Sandman has been steadily rising over the last few years. On the success of his excellent 2010 LP, The Good Sun, he signed with Stones Throw. To build anticipation of his new album, the Queens emcee dropped two EPs earlier in the year, and has just embarked on tour with Brother Ali. All things point toward First of a Living Breed being a landmark album in his career.

Expectations can be a bitch - this is where I’m having trouble with this album. If you take away the anticipation and don’t compare it with his past work, First of a Living Breed is a good album. Sandman is a very versatile emcee, capable of bringing multiple flows and deliveries, and delivers some really personal and moving lyrics that also have a great sense of humor. He works with some very talented producers, such as Oddisee, Oh No, 6th Sense, and 2 Hungry Bros. For all the good things happening here, I can’t help but feeling that this album just didn’t blow me away the way that The Good Sun did when I first listened to it. There’s no “Not Pop,” “The Essence,” or “Table Cloth.” Songs that demand your attention and absolutely kill when performed live. I realize that it’s a tall order to duplicate these types of songs on each album, and I should enjoy First of a Living Breed for what it is. “Whatchu Want From Me?” is a great song about dealing with personal and professional relationships and all the stresses that life can throw at you. “For The Kids” plays with some interesting mid-‘80s new wave funk, and makes nice use of sampling a small child’s laughter. “Cedar and Sedgwick” almost sounds like an old Beck song, with it’s use folk-funk sound and Sandman’s playful delivery about his neighborhood. “Not Really” is a really nice introspective song about the level of success he’s been able to achieve and how he keeps everything in perspective. There’s not a low point on the album, and Homeboy Sandman is still one of the top emcees working today. What it all boils down to is that I just never got the “Wow!” moment that I kept waiting for.

Expectations are tough on artists, and they’re tough on fans as well. Those that haven’t heard Homeboy Sandman before will probably wonder what the hell I’m complaining about. That said, those that have been following him for a while will still enjoy the new record. I’m sure there will be plenty of more “Wow!” moments in Sandman’s career.