2Dope PremiereAlbums

Carl Roe – Eleven Chuck (Album)

blame it on JES7 November 11, 2016
carl-roe-eleven-chuck

The title of Carl Roe‘s new album, Eleven Chuck and what it exactly references might confuse the average, everyday listener — but for the Seattle native, the album and its title is certainly personal.

As a proud U.S. Army veteran, this former 11C (or mortarman/indirect fire infantryman) put a clever twist on the album’s title, alluding to his Army MOS (military occupational specialty) as well as the classic, never-really-out-of-style Converse Chuck Taylors.

Says Carl: “Even though the album is not about my time in the military as an 11C, it’s in my blood, and it’s what I am to the core. Eleven Chuck will forever be a part of me and I felt the title was very fitting for such a personal project.”

Being that today is Veteran’s Day, it made perfect sense for Carl to deliver his sophomore project on a holiday that, unfortunately, most Americans seem to take for granted.

The 17-track Eleven Chuck LP — led by the singles “Rock Bars” with Ripynt, and most recently, the Nottz-produced “S. State Street” — features gritty boom-bap (“Spells”), aggressive, in-your-face pop sensibilities (“Lightspeed”), and engaging storytelling (“The Good Son”).

Sure, the album isn’t entirely flawless, as Carl admits “On Eleven Chuck, expect to hear that street Hip-Hop sound. The album isn’t perfect, and I didn’t want it to be.” Blemishes aside (if any can actually be found), Eleven Chuck aims at being a true long-player that gradually grows on the listener, with its allure drawn from understanding and relating to the imperfections as well as the frailty of the human psyche.

Stream the entire album below, and if you like what you hear, purchase the LP on iTunes.