Tech N9ne's 2006 album, Everready (The Religion), was the first project of his that I listened to in its entirety. Ever since that day I was forever a "Technician." This would be THE album to show the non-familiar who Tech N9ne is as a musician and what he brings to the table. This 2 disc, 35-Track mega album has over 2 hours of jam-packed was his 5th studio album and the first entry into the "Vibes From the Vault."
As mentioned before, this is the album where Tech really shows you his versatility and the many different sides of his personality. He starts off by showing you "Heavy Metal Tech," with the ultimate high-school locker room pump up song, "Riot Maker." Then follows that up with "No Can Do," which shows you a window in into "Gospel Tech," which introduces you the church organs that he uses in various tracks throughout the album.
After one of my personal favorite Tech songs of all time, "Welcome to the Midwest," we get introduced to "Hyphy Tech" with his songs, "Bout Ta Bubble" and "Jellysickle." He did a lot of shows in Oakland early on his career and was deeply inspired by The Bay Area's music scene.
His song, "Come Gangsta," addresses the people who don't mess with his music due to it not sounding "gangsta" enough and what everyone else at that time was doing stylistically. Tech has had a bad reputation as a "devil worshiper" due to his face paint, crazy hairstyles and aggressively dark music he created on projects like Anghellic and Absolute Power. This track serves as the perfect "F' You!" to the people who want you to be who they think you should be.
Tracks like "It's What You Thinkin'," "Night and Day," and "Caribou Lou" show off the party side of Tech N9ne. Growing up, these tracks were essential in my 'House Party Playlist.' The only side to his music we don't see as much of (compared to most Tech N9ne discography) is the darker, sadder side to his personality. However, he knocks those vibes out of the park with, "The Rain." In this song, he discusses the strains the touring life has on his personal and family life.
I like to refer Everready (The Religion) as Tech N9ne's starter kit for anybody who isn't already a fan of his music. I can GUARANTEE anyone who listens to this album will walk away with, at the very least, one of these tracks stuck in your head and a deeper respect of Tech's artistry. As a longtime fan, it has everything I need and love in a Tech N9ne album, which is why it is my favorite of all his projects. It's different then his previous work, yet still familiar to his brand. The perfect balance of superb wordplay and rhyme schemes and diverse, interesting instrumentals. Give it a listen and you'll be sucked into the cult-like following in no time!