Roth's freshman debut makes the grade

He has never been shot. He didn't sell drugs. And he didn't grow up on the streets of Brooklyn.

However, sometimes hype is a more powerful ice breaker than a compelling story of struggle.

23-year-old rapper Asher Roth has received an absurd amount of accolades and buzz before his first record even dropped. Relying heavily on Facebook and MySpace to gain notoriety, magazines like XXL have pegged Roth as the next big thing in mainstream rap.

Did I mention that Asher Roth was a skinny white guy from the suburbs of Pennsylvania?

What Asher Roth lacks in "street cred," he makes up for in what matters: the ability to flat out rap.

His single "I Love College," is a perfect example of Roth's prowess as an emcee. Roth has crafted the ultimate party song and it is based on a subject he is very familiar with: college parties.

Roth describes what he learned in West Chester University, "Like don't pass out with your shoes on, And don't leave the house 'til the booze gone, And don't have sex if she's too gone, When it comes to condoms, put two on." Roth certainly boned up on his sexual education.

Even with his microphone abilities, the comparisons to other white rappers are inevitable. When it comes to that group, the list is short and starts with one person: Eminem.

But Roth wants you told hold off on the Marshall Mathers comparisons based on pasty complexion and eerily similar delivery.

In "As I Em," Roth tries to extinguish those comparisons stating, "And yeah the haters wanna hate me cause I made it and I'm famous, But until you take my place, you'll never know bout what it takes,

To make a record for respect, take a second to inspect, When you look like someone else, then what the fuck do you expect?"

"As I Em" has a driving beat and an upbeat bass line that cranks up the song until D.A. from the group Chester French shouts the chorus to bring it to a climax. It's ironic because as Roth tries to quiet critics about the similarities, he sounds like a mirror image of Slim Shady vocally.

"Asleep in the Bread Aisle" not only introduces Asher Roth as a powerful emcee, but highlights Oren Yoel as a masterful producer.

"His Story," is a rare vulnerable moment from Roth. The song reaches at your heart thanks in large part to what Yoel did to enhance the lyrics.

The mood dips to a somber, slower beat and Roth adjusts his delivery accordingly. A gentle piano is thrown in as Roth recounts the sacrifices his father made so he could reach this point in his life.

Give Roth a simple beat and his rhymes absolutely shine. Add a producer who compliments Roth's strengths and you've got a classic tune.

Roth discusses the subject matter you'd expect from a rap album: weed and women. "Lion's Roar," covers the latter, and showcases Roth, who is able to match rapper Busta Rhymes in terms of a rushed delivery. Roth spits out syllables faster than the beat can handle.

It's not often that a rapper bursts onto the scene, gains instant recognition and actually delivers. "Asleep in the Bread Aisle" lives up to the hype that his first single was able to garner him. He crafts elaborate, thoughtful rhymes, never relying on simply matching patterns and doesn't settle for the easy lines. The clincher is that more than half of the songs eclipse the four minute mark, making the album feel complete.

What makes Asher Roth genuinely likable across the spectrum and worth the listen is that he doesn't patronize you by trying to escape his middle-class upbringing under baggy clothes and a fitted cap. He celebrates who he really is, unadulterated, raunchy and talented as all hell. "Asleep in the Bread Aisle," is the ideal debut album and should start your summer break off the right way.

Asher Roth's "Asleep in the Bread Aisle" in a Nutshell:

Release Date: 4/21/2009

Label: SRC / Universal Motown

Key Tracks: "I Love College," "As I Em," "His Story."

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars