Ranking True God’s Discography

A couple days ago, True and I were talking about his discography and began debating how we’d rank the albums he’s put out over the past three years. I mean, why not? As an integral member of DAR, we talk about these sorts of things from time to time. He always says that One Year Later was a good album and I always say it’s convoluted, incredibly no-fi to the point I hate revisiting it, and clouded by anger and alcohol. But I digress.

From worst to best, here’s my ranking of the DAR General’s discography. Please note that DAR mixtapes (Genesis, The End is Coming) and the Eyes on the Ring album are not counted, since, according to True, they’re not part of his “official” discography as a solo artist:

Three7One – 2014

Three7One by True God

Yes, Three7One is a concept album, and it builds on issues and topics presented in 2013’s Soul Revival 2. However, it lacked a bit of a connect. The album was more like a “hey, I’m going to speak on this for me. Not you, or you, or you–but for me” feel to it. That’s great, but it makes for some straight-up downtrodden music. Production-wise, we get beats from your’s truly and Old Beats Record. But, it’s just something that keeps me from saying this album should rank higher. I think it’s because the album is that transition between speaking on his issues with family and speaking on everything else.

DOA – 2012

D.O.A. by True God

This album and Three7One can truly be switched on a whim. However, what keeps me saying DOA is better than Three7One is that it’s a hard listen. It’s essentially the prototype of Three7One, in that it speaks on family, religion, and “rebellion.” In 2014, it’s sadly more “real” than it was even in ’12. The soundtrack of rebellion, the album is a hard listen due to its retelling of True’s relationship with his daughter’s mom. His prophecies on this album sting considering a lot of what’s happened in the two years since DOA. However, the album is more cohesive than Three7One. Plus, DOA sets up the building blocks to Eyes on the Ring.

Soul Revival I – 2011

Soul Revival 1 by True God

The album which set up Team DAR as it stands today. Without this album and True reaching out to me, I’m pretty sure that the family wouldn’t be as strong as we’ve become over the years. It’s True’s first full-length album, so there’s that youthfulness on here that’s missing on later albums. Now, yes, True sometimes sounds forced on this album (and some of my production is ambitious, but cluttered). But, it’s your first album and you’re focusing on trying to get everything down pat, to get everything out there. The album was all about finding your voice and serves the insurmountable duty of introducing the world to True, Speed, and that “DAR sound.”

Pursuing Happiness – 2014 and Soul Revival II – 2013

Pursuing Happiness by True God

Soul Revival 2 by True God

Now, originally, I told True that I had SR2 over PH. However, listening to both of them back to back kind of lets me say this: the albums, while completely different in subject matter and tone, are the perfect complimentary pieces for each other. SR2 is dark, but not DOA dark. It speaks on the aftermath of DOA, but doesn’t go into the deep details of Three7One (one of SR2’s strengths. It tells the story of Three7One, but does it in a way that isn’t as “closed-off”). PH shows what happens after a man goes through hell and finally gets back on the path of the light. In times where True (and all of us, really) battle those lights and “darknesses,” you need to accept and deal with both.

So, there you have it. True’s discography not only in one place, but also ranked from the guy who’s had a hand in creating a good portion of the music you hear throughout these albums.