In an admirably honest message, Tacoma lyricist Rockwell Powers writes that he and his producer, Seattle-based Ill Pill, have decided to offer their recently released debut for free on their site “due to so many of our friends and kids like us being broke.” Of course, dude could’ve said “due to popular demand,” or “due to a masochistic loyalty to our fans,” or “due to a misspent night with Mad Dog.” But, no, the young MC just came with the truth. And Rockwell’s honesty isn’t limited to emails to journos. As I wrote previously, Rockwell packs many of the tracks on Kids in the Back with a hard-nosed reflection, especially the crisis-of-faith cut titled–uh-huh–“Faith.” I dig the sincerity and Rockwell’s willingness to address matters of conscience, sans sentimentality. I think you might, too.