My Favorite Album of 2011 Thus Far: Saigon's The Greatest Story Never Told

There was a point in time when Saigon's The Greatest Story Never Told was almost a self-fulfilling prophecy. It could have gone the route that so many other Hip-Hop albums before it have travelled. At Atlantic Records' insistence, it could have been altered to become a radio-friendly, strip club anthem. It could have been meaningless but it could have sold millions. That's what the label wanted.

The record's path deviated from its predecessors when Saigon stuck to his guns and for four years, held onto the album intact and unreleased. He was released from his contract and eventually put the CD out earlier this year independently, without much hoopla and to meager sales. But, it was his album, not the label's. And what a gem it turned out to be.

From the beginning, The Greatest Story Never Told is shaped like a radio broadcast, with the familiar static-y sounds and small-talk tying the tracks cohesively together. But like any great radio show, the album hits the jackpot in its perfect balance. The explicit tales of "Clap" and "Better Way" vividly narrate slivers of Saigon's life and adversity he's seen his brethren succumb to. Yes, it's grim, but there's also hope and happiness, as seen in the soft, harmonious melodies of "Believe It." There's loyalty, and there's betrayal; "Friends" and "Enemies." Taking things on the lighter side, on "Come On Baby," Saigon takes the listener out for a night in the club, popping bottles and throwing singles (the perfect record for Atlantic). Never, for an instant, does the listener feel overwhelmed by any one element.

Music doesn't typically last more than a couple days in my palate. It spoils quickly and before you know it there's a replacement lined up. In Hip-Hop years, The Greatest Story Never Told is a Twinkie. The CD still hasn't fallen out of my rotation since its February release and even more, the fact that it was recorded in 2007 and still doesn't sound the least bit dated in 2011 is a testament in itself.

Seven months into the year, Saigon's masterpiece stands alone. There has been no other record, in my ears, that even comes remotely close to achieving its sonic mastery, and pure authenticity. It's my favorite album of the year so far by a landslide, and probably will one day fall into one of my all time favorites one day.