So what's the world without another realistic album/song to bring you down and depict the world as a sad and terrible place? Bill Ray Cyrus had "Achy Breaky Heart," Celine Dion had "All By Myself." The music industry needs another depressing album like we need a hole in the head.

Well, there are always exceptions. Point in case, Liquid's debut album Tales from the Badlands. Being from the inner city of Philly, it seems growing up in a bad neighborhood doesn't give you too many positive things to sing about when it comes to you home life. But these are stories that despite their depressing nature are something you want to listen to. They are stories from an artist whose unique flavor of Latin music, hip-hop, R & B, and reggae (to name a few) make a style all its own.

But you know, it's not all gangsters and gunfights. This is an album that knows how to tell a sad or inspiring story and tell it well. Just take a look at his first single "Swing Low." "Open my eyes/So I can see you fighting for me Lord/Send up a chariot/To help me fight this war." Some lyrics play the narrative of a kid from the "wrong side of the tracks," but it's told with so much flare and great rhythm that it's hard to be depressed about it. Whereas, other tracks are so inspirational, it's hard to believe this is the same artist. And if serious songs aren't your style, tracks like "Crazy" are just the thing. A hip song about the typical anthem for girls about their men, who just "can't live with 'em, can't live without em." Or even the opening track "Back in the Day" which takes a fun trip back to the days of the 8-track.

With Liquid's smooth voice and lyrics as touching as any great poet can tell, Tales from the Badlands stands alone. If you're looking for that new CD that you can pop in your car and spend an awesome hour crusin' to... homie, look no further.