For their third album as Flight Distance, Ottawa rappers Bender and Patience preach the gospel of the High Priests of Low-Life while third member DJ Calkuta interprets with his hands. Bender is best known as a King of the Dot battle rap champion, but High Priests is much more than braggadocio and punch lines; "Walther PPK" is still a great opening track, though. The lyrics throughout the album are clever, and the songs are often more conceptual. An album highlight, "Gold Cartridge To Purple Tape," is a nostalgic song revealing the duo's early influences and their come-up in the scene, while "Imaginary Friends" is full of cautionary tales of fantastical characters and "Briefcases" attempts to solve the unanswered mystery of Pulp Fiction: "Marcellus Wallace never had a soul, what's in that briefcase?"
Bender and Patience also receive quality vocal contributions from regular contributor Escrol, fellow Ottawa artists Buck N' Nice and Zeebot and Toronto underground legends D-Sisive and Theology3; singer Whitney Delion is almost a fourth member of Flight Distance, providing the hook on two tracks and completely taking over "Bottom of the Ocean" for a very trip-hoppy track. The latter stands out on the album, but it acts as a short palate cleanser prior to the second half of the album. Aside from that song, the album has a throwback boom bap vibe with a few forays into the futuristic. Old heads will dig High Priests of Low-Life, but young cats should also find plenty to pull them in, too.
(Independent)Bender and Patience also receive quality vocal contributions from regular contributor Escrol, fellow Ottawa artists Buck N' Nice and Zeebot and Toronto underground legends D-Sisive and Theology3; singer Whitney Delion is almost a fourth member of Flight Distance, providing the hook on two tracks and completely taking over "Bottom of the Ocean" for a very trip-hoppy track. The latter stands out on the album, but it acts as a short palate cleanser prior to the second half of the album. Aside from that song, the album has a throwback boom bap vibe with a few forays into the futuristic. Old heads will dig High Priests of Low-Life, but young cats should also find plenty to pull them in, too.
