This is the second requested review. I haven't heard much Aesop Rock so this should be interesting.
Artist: Aesop Rock
Album: Bazooka Tooth
Released: 2003
Aesop Rock is known (at least by me) for his crazy, nonsensical lyrics. He is also known for working with acclaimed producer Blockhead. The production on the album comes from Aesop himself along with El-P & Blockhead.
The lyrics are fine if you like Aesop's voice, which is very deep and pretty unique. The lyrics PASS!
Track List-
1. Bazooka Tooth
Produced by: Aesop Rock
The album's first beat is pretty slow but has a pretty cool guitar sample. Near the middle the beat changes to some nice percussion. Pretty ill bassline as well.The second beat is the better of the 2. The album starts off strong with a track that...
BUMPS!
2. N.Y. Electric/ Hunter Interlude
Produced by: Aesop Rock
More upbeat. Almost middle eastern melody. Heavy kicks. Not bad, but nothing mind blowing. The song feels a little song with the average beat and the beat at the end is average.
ALRIGHT!
3. Easy
Produced by: Aesop Rock
Pretty complex production. A lot of background instruments fade in and out. As for the beat overall, nothing that makes me want to hear it again. Not bad, but not good either. Feels a little long at 5 minutes as well. I would probably...
SKIP IT!
4. No Jumper Cables
Produced by: Aesop Rock
Upbeat, almost sounds like techno. Really not feeling this beat.
SKIP IT!
5. Limelighters/Flunkadelic Interlude
Produced by: Aesop Rock
Pretty sick bassline. Camp Lo's feature actually adds to the song with their laid back flow. So far Aesop is hit or miss with his self produced tracks. This one...
BUMPS!
6. Super Fluke
Produced by: Aesop Rock
Some lingering synths. Average drum programming. Nothing special.
SKIP IT!
7. Cook It Up
Produced by: Blockhead
The first song not produced by Aesop. Still not feeling it.
SKIP IT!
8. Freeze/Honeycomb Interlude
Produced by: Aesop Rock
Some horns, and ok drums. Once again, nothing worth hearing twice.
SKIP IT!
9. We're Famous
Produced by: El-P
I'm kinda "whatever" about El-P. His Cannibal Ox work is incredible while I can't really get into his other stuff. This one is kinda in between. It's not "Stress Rap" but it isn't complete shit either.
ALRIGHT!
10. Babies With Guns
Produced by: Blockhead
Kinda strange horns. Not as bad as the other couple tracks but not the best.
ALRIGHT!
11. The Greatest Pac-Man Victory In History
Produced by: Aesop Rock
The synths are actually pretty cool and help with the Pac-Man theme. This is one of the better tracks on the album. The sound effects really add to it as well.
BUMPS!
12. Frijoles
Produced by: Aesop Rock
This one kinda sounds like it could be an Eminem beat. It's actually pretty simple and enjoyable compared to the over production of the earlier tracks.
ALRIGHT!
13. 11:35/Ketamine U.S.A Interlude
Produced by: Blockhead & Aesop Rock
Actually not bad for such a simple beat. It feels like less is more for Aesop. Not the best on the album but far from the worst.
ALRIGHT!
14. Kill The Messenger
Produced by: Aesop Rock
Another beat with a little too much going on. Not even bad but so mediocre that I don't feel the need to hear it again.
SKIP IT!
15. Mars Attacks
Produced by: Aesop Rock
The beat isn't bad but again, nothing special. Kinda cool basslineand the beat switch is nice.
ALRIGHT!
Overall this album is probably a 5/10. The beats have a lot of extra noise that takes away from the cohesiveness of the tracks themselves. The first track is a stand out because of the second beat but overall, a skippable album for me.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Man Man-Six Demon Bag
This was requested so here it goes.
I had no prior knowledge of this group before tonight.
Man Man is an experimental rock group.
The lyrics in rock music matter even less to me than in hip hop so these PASS by default.
Tracklist-
1. Feathers
Starts off with a pretty nice piano loop. The harmonized singing a minute or so in sounds great. No drums, no bass, just straight piano. Pretty entertaining so far.
ALRIGHT!
2. Engrish Bwudd
This is where shit starts getting weird. Similar piano loop. Some sporadic drums that build. The singers voice is actually not bad despite his exaggerated delivery. Horns come in a few times. Pretty strange song. Still not hating it as much as I thought I would.
ALRIGHT!
3. Banana Ghost
Pretty upbeat. Some more chant type singing. Sounds like an accordion. Pretty cool solo near the middle. Some synths come in with some weird sound effects. Can't believe it but this song actually...
BUMPS!
4. Young Einstein On The Beach
I just don't get this one. The synths in between the screaming sound pretty cool. I would have liked it better if they cut down on the strange yelling, but you can't win them all.
SKIP IT!
5. Skin Tension
Starts off slow with a godfather-esque piano. The build up in the middle is pretty cool. The horns near the end are really nice. The second song that actually...
BUMPS!
6. Black Mission Goggles
Up beat percussion and a great sounding organ. I just love the organ sound in general. More of that chant singing, which is kinda growing on me. Slows up for some higher pitched singing but gets back to the organ and crazy percussion again. The isolated vocals and guitar is a great way to end. I'm actually enjoying this album more than I thought.
BUMPS!
7. Hot Bat
Sounds like some sort of march. Not feeling the chants this time around. Kinda lingers until the end when it goes batshit crazy.
SKIP IT!
8. Push The Eagle's Stomach
The drums sound really crisp when they kick in. Really strange singing. It's kinda annoying. Kind of a cluster fuck of noise. Not as bad near the end but it doesn't save the song for me.
SKIP IT!
9. Spider Cider
I like the use of horns and piano throughout this album so far. The singing gets tolerable again. Slow down works pretty well. Not too bad.
ALRIGHT!
10. Van Helsing Boombox
Reminds me of a Buster Keaton movie. Pretty slow which is nice after the upbeat joints back to back. A guitar and harmonica come in and leave at some point. Pretty calm, not bad.
ALRIGHT!
11. Tunneling Through The Guy
Pretty straightforward calm intro. Leads into some strange guitar and shifts tempo up. Speeds up a little more near the middle. Not really feeling the later part of the song but the beginning was pretty nice, and the build up at the end was alright.
ALRIGHT!
12. Fishstick Gumbo
4 seconds long. You can try to skip it but it will probably be over before you hit the button. Just some yelling.
ALRIGHT!
13. Ice Dogs
The horns and flute are pretty good together. The switch up is kinda weird but not really in a bad way. Pretty calm (compared to earlier songs) and slow. Nice way to end the album.
Overall, I was pretty impressed. I'm not really an indie rock fan but I still enjoyed this album. I will listen to a couple tracks again but the album probably won't be in heavy rotation. It was a fun listen and I recommend it if indie rock is your thing. I imagine that if I thought it was good, then a fan of the genre would also like it.
Overall: 7/10
I had no prior knowledge of this group before tonight.
Man Man is an experimental rock group.
The lyrics in rock music matter even less to me than in hip hop so these PASS by default.
Tracklist-
1. Feathers
Starts off with a pretty nice piano loop. The harmonized singing a minute or so in sounds great. No drums, no bass, just straight piano. Pretty entertaining so far.
ALRIGHT!
2. Engrish Bwudd
This is where shit starts getting weird. Similar piano loop. Some sporadic drums that build. The singers voice is actually not bad despite his exaggerated delivery. Horns come in a few times. Pretty strange song. Still not hating it as much as I thought I would.
ALRIGHT!
3. Banana Ghost
Pretty upbeat. Some more chant type singing. Sounds like an accordion. Pretty cool solo near the middle. Some synths come in with some weird sound effects. Can't believe it but this song actually...
BUMPS!
4. Young Einstein On The Beach
I just don't get this one. The synths in between the screaming sound pretty cool. I would have liked it better if they cut down on the strange yelling, but you can't win them all.
SKIP IT!
5. Skin Tension
Starts off slow with a godfather-esque piano. The build up in the middle is pretty cool. The horns near the end are really nice. The second song that actually...
BUMPS!
6. Black Mission Goggles
Up beat percussion and a great sounding organ. I just love the organ sound in general. More of that chant singing, which is kinda growing on me. Slows up for some higher pitched singing but gets back to the organ and crazy percussion again. The isolated vocals and guitar is a great way to end. I'm actually enjoying this album more than I thought.
BUMPS!
7. Hot Bat
Sounds like some sort of march. Not feeling the chants this time around. Kinda lingers until the end when it goes batshit crazy.
SKIP IT!
8. Push The Eagle's Stomach
The drums sound really crisp when they kick in. Really strange singing. It's kinda annoying. Kind of a cluster fuck of noise. Not as bad near the end but it doesn't save the song for me.
SKIP IT!
9. Spider Cider
I like the use of horns and piano throughout this album so far. The singing gets tolerable again. Slow down works pretty well. Not too bad.
ALRIGHT!
10. Van Helsing Boombox
Reminds me of a Buster Keaton movie. Pretty slow which is nice after the upbeat joints back to back. A guitar and harmonica come in and leave at some point. Pretty calm, not bad.
ALRIGHT!
11. Tunneling Through The Guy
Pretty straightforward calm intro. Leads into some strange guitar and shifts tempo up. Speeds up a little more near the middle. Not really feeling the later part of the song but the beginning was pretty nice, and the build up at the end was alright.
ALRIGHT!
12. Fishstick Gumbo
4 seconds long. You can try to skip it but it will probably be over before you hit the button. Just some yelling.
ALRIGHT!
13. Ice Dogs
The horns and flute are pretty good together. The switch up is kinda weird but not really in a bad way. Pretty calm (compared to earlier songs) and slow. Nice way to end the album.
Overall, I was pretty impressed. I'm not really an indie rock fan but I still enjoyed this album. I will listen to a couple tracks again but the album probably won't be in heavy rotation. It was a fun listen and I recommend it if indie rock is your thing. I imagine that if I thought it was good, then a fan of the genre would also like it.
Overall: 7/10
Will Rap For Food-CunninLynguists
Welcome to the first album review. It should be a grand old time! Let's get to it!
Artist: The CunninLynguists
Album:Will Rap For Food
Released: 2001
The CunninLynguists are a southern hip hop group based in Kentucky, somewhere. The producer, Kno, produces most of this album. All tracks are produced by Kno unless otherwise noted.
The CunninLynguists are noted for being "lyrical" which is strange for a southern group. Well who am I to disagree? The lyrics PASS!
Tracks:
1. Will Rap For Food (Interlude)
The first track is an intro featuring the group talking about how they will rap for food. Nothing particularly funny here.
SKIP IT!
2. Lynguistics
The albums first real track. The beat itself is not very complex but the result is incredible. A simple filtered loop is backed by another filtered bass loop. What makes the beat so great is the flair Kno adds. There are little whislte/horns that really add to the verse sections of the song when the main loop drops out. Great song overall.
BUMPS!
3.Mic Like A Memory
The song starts off slow with what sounds like a filtered sample. Strings and horns come in with a sample of some Common lyrics. The beat is pretty calm, nothing too special but still enjoyable.
ALRIGHT!
4. So Live
Produced by: Celph Titled
One of the few (or only) tracks not produced by Kno. Simple drum programming. Simple piano loop. Pretty tight battle type beat.
ALRIGHT!
5. Hey (Interlude)
A short musical interlude. Pretty cool little looped beat. Not too long. Not too bad.
ALRIGHT!
6.Fukinwichu
An ok bassline to start the song. Some scratched samples and a tinkly instrument sample. Not sure what it is. Shit's not too bad.
ALRIGHT!
7. Ain't No Way
Another filtered classical sample. The deep background sample is a nice touch. Pretty simple loop. Still dope.
BUMPS!
8. Missing Children
The beat starts out pretty forgettable but changes a minute into the song or so. Pretty creepy filtered sample with a vocal flair. Simple drums. An insane bassline kicks in which helps this joint achieve the rating of...
BUMPS!
9. Midnight
Another short interlude. Kinda cool chopped beat. Some weird vocal samples. Not too bad.
ALRIGHT!
10. Thugged Out Since Cub Scouts
Starts off with a Godfather-esque sample. Changes to an accordion loop with a pretty nice bassline. The bass gets me everytime.
BUMPS!
11. Kno's Diggin
An interlude of sorts. Another classical loop with drums. If it wasn't only 30 seconds or so, it would be a skip, but since it is kept short it's...
ALRIGHT!
12. Halfanimal
Almost a techno sounding instrument to start. A lot different from the other production on the album. Pretty cool bassline. Once again...
BUMPS!
13. Family Ties
Nice filtered string and piano sample. Sick bassline, seems a little too high pitched, but still dope.
BUMPS!
14. Dirty South
Another musical interlude. Cool little horn loop. Pretty good bassline too. Not bad for an interlude.
BUMPS!
15. Mindstate
Once again, a classical loop. Average drum programming. More classical flair is thrown in. Not great but not bad either.
ALRIGHT!
16. Takin The Loss
Sounds like another classical/opera loop. It get's filtered out and an ill bassline comes in. This shit definitely...
BUMPS!
17. Not Guilty
Piano instrumental. Some nice drum programming. DJ Shadow type shit really.
ALRIGHT!
18. 616 Rewind
Produced by: Kno & Deacon The Villain
The album's posse cut. A cool sampled loop. Another sick bassline. The first rapper spits some rapid fire shit as well, which I feel adds to the whimsical sound to the beat. This shit...
BUMPS!
So overall, not a bad album. Kno can bust out some incredible basslines although he relied too heavily on classical samples. The stand out track is Lynguistsics by far.
Overall rating: 7/10
There you go! The first review. I'll probably do the next CunninLynguist album next, unless I get some requests. I hope you enjoyed my idiotic opinion!
Artist: The CunninLynguists
Album:Will Rap For Food
Released: 2001
The CunninLynguists are a southern hip hop group based in Kentucky, somewhere. The producer, Kno, produces most of this album. All tracks are produced by Kno unless otherwise noted.
The CunninLynguists are noted for being "lyrical" which is strange for a southern group. Well who am I to disagree? The lyrics PASS!
Tracks:
1. Will Rap For Food (Interlude)
The first track is an intro featuring the group talking about how they will rap for food. Nothing particularly funny here.
SKIP IT!
2. Lynguistics
The albums first real track. The beat itself is not very complex but the result is incredible. A simple filtered loop is backed by another filtered bass loop. What makes the beat so great is the flair Kno adds. There are little whislte/horns that really add to the verse sections of the song when the main loop drops out. Great song overall.
BUMPS!
3.Mic Like A Memory
The song starts off slow with what sounds like a filtered sample. Strings and horns come in with a sample of some Common lyrics. The beat is pretty calm, nothing too special but still enjoyable.
ALRIGHT!
4. So Live
Produced by: Celph Titled
One of the few (or only) tracks not produced by Kno. Simple drum programming. Simple piano loop. Pretty tight battle type beat.
ALRIGHT!
5. Hey (Interlude)
A short musical interlude. Pretty cool little looped beat. Not too long. Not too bad.
ALRIGHT!
6.Fukinwichu
An ok bassline to start the song. Some scratched samples and a tinkly instrument sample. Not sure what it is. Shit's not too bad.
ALRIGHT!
7. Ain't No Way
Another filtered classical sample. The deep background sample is a nice touch. Pretty simple loop. Still dope.
BUMPS!
8. Missing Children
The beat starts out pretty forgettable but changes a minute into the song or so. Pretty creepy filtered sample with a vocal flair. Simple drums. An insane bassline kicks in which helps this joint achieve the rating of...
BUMPS!
9. Midnight
Another short interlude. Kinda cool chopped beat. Some weird vocal samples. Not too bad.
ALRIGHT!
10. Thugged Out Since Cub Scouts
Starts off with a Godfather-esque sample. Changes to an accordion loop with a pretty nice bassline. The bass gets me everytime.
BUMPS!
11. Kno's Diggin
An interlude of sorts. Another classical loop with drums. If it wasn't only 30 seconds or so, it would be a skip, but since it is kept short it's...
ALRIGHT!
12. Halfanimal
Almost a techno sounding instrument to start. A lot different from the other production on the album. Pretty cool bassline. Once again...
BUMPS!
13. Family Ties
Nice filtered string and piano sample. Sick bassline, seems a little too high pitched, but still dope.
BUMPS!
14. Dirty South
Another musical interlude. Cool little horn loop. Pretty good bassline too. Not bad for an interlude.
BUMPS!
15. Mindstate
Once again, a classical loop. Average drum programming. More classical flair is thrown in. Not great but not bad either.
ALRIGHT!
16. Takin The Loss
Sounds like another classical/opera loop. It get's filtered out and an ill bassline comes in. This shit definitely...
BUMPS!
17. Not Guilty
Piano instrumental. Some nice drum programming. DJ Shadow type shit really.
ALRIGHT!
18. 616 Rewind
Produced by: Kno & Deacon The Villain
The album's posse cut. A cool sampled loop. Another sick bassline. The first rapper spits some rapid fire shit as well, which I feel adds to the whimsical sound to the beat. This shit...
BUMPS!
So overall, not a bad album. Kno can bust out some incredible basslines although he relied too heavily on classical samples. The stand out track is Lynguistsics by far.
Overall rating: 7/10
There you go! The first review. I'll probably do the next CunninLynguist album next, unless I get some requests. I hope you enjoyed my idiotic opinion!
Introduction
Hip hop. Some people love it for using complex lyrics to talk about political issues, some love it because it is great to dance to. I love hip hop as well (for both of these reasons, maybe more, who knows?). But I have a special affection for the beats.
"What, I just wanna lay you back
Nah, you ain't gotta count my stack
Nah, it ain't goin down like that
Damn yo' ass is fat"-Madlib "Nowadayz"
The preceding lyrics are from a collaborative song featuring production by J Dilla and vocals by Madlib. The first time I heard these words uttered, I realized that I do not give a fuck about lyrics. That is why I am creating this blog.
In this blog I will rate albums. I will listen to an album fully, but I am not going to analyze the lyrics. I will give the lyrics 1 of 2 grades.
Pass or Fail.
99% of lyrics will pass. If the lyrics do not take away from the beat in any way, they will pass. If they fail, the song should be erased from your memory.
The main point of this blog will be to criticize the production on the albums I will rate. I have made beats before. I feel this gives me the authority to criticize other people's work. I am not a professional and my opinion is not a fact, nor it it going to be popular all the time. I just need something to kill the time between work and sleep, and this should do.
How the ratings work:
The album will be broken down track by track. Each track will be given a rating/tag/word I feel like using. The 3 "ratings" are...
Bumps
Alright
Skip It
If a song "Bumps" it is a good song. If it is "alright" then it has some flaws but is still listenable. If a song garners the tag of "skip it" then said song, sucks ass.
Pretty simple, right?
After all the tracks are rated, I will take each rating and using a precise mathematic equation (see: Bullshit) will give the album an overall rating. This will tell you if an album bumps, if it's alright, or if you should skip it all together.
Currently I am planning on reviewing the CunninLynguists first album "Will Rap For Food"
I WILL be taking any and all requests. Want to see me rate a Soulja Boy album? Let me know. If you suggest it, there is a 99% chance I will review it. You can e-mail me suggestions at wutangmfdoom@yahoo.com or post on this blog somehow (I don't know how it works, I probably should have figured that out before I wrote this, but there is a reason I'm going to trade school instead of college!). I am also frequently on Yahoo! Answers under the name *Madliberator*.
So anyway, like I said, the first album will be "Will Rap For Food" by The CunninLynguists. It should be up in 30 minutes or so. Have fun reading and remember to suggest any album for review, hip hop or not.
Thanks for your time.
"What, I just wanna lay you back
Nah, you ain't gotta count my stack
Nah, it ain't goin down like that
Damn yo' ass is fat"-Madlib "Nowadayz"
The preceding lyrics are from a collaborative song featuring production by J Dilla and vocals by Madlib. The first time I heard these words uttered, I realized that I do not give a fuck about lyrics. That is why I am creating this blog.
In this blog I will rate albums. I will listen to an album fully, but I am not going to analyze the lyrics. I will give the lyrics 1 of 2 grades.
Pass or Fail.
99% of lyrics will pass. If the lyrics do not take away from the beat in any way, they will pass. If they fail, the song should be erased from your memory.
The main point of this blog will be to criticize the production on the albums I will rate. I have made beats before. I feel this gives me the authority to criticize other people's work. I am not a professional and my opinion is not a fact, nor it it going to be popular all the time. I just need something to kill the time between work and sleep, and this should do.
How the ratings work:
The album will be broken down track by track. Each track will be given a rating/tag/word I feel like using. The 3 "ratings" are...
Bumps
Alright
Skip It
If a song "Bumps" it is a good song. If it is "alright" then it has some flaws but is still listenable. If a song garners the tag of "skip it" then said song, sucks ass.
Pretty simple, right?
After all the tracks are rated, I will take each rating and using a precise mathematic equation (see: Bullshit) will give the album an overall rating. This will tell you if an album bumps, if it's alright, or if you should skip it all together.
Currently I am planning on reviewing the CunninLynguists first album "Will Rap For Food"
I WILL be taking any and all requests. Want to see me rate a Soulja Boy album? Let me know. If you suggest it, there is a 99% chance I will review it. You can e-mail me suggestions at wutangmfdoom@yahoo.com or post on this blog somehow (I don't know how it works, I probably should have figured that out before I wrote this, but there is a reason I'm going to trade school instead of college!). I am also frequently on Yahoo! Answers under the name *Madliberator*.
So anyway, like I said, the first album will be "Will Rap For Food" by The CunninLynguists. It should be up in 30 minutes or so. Have fun reading and remember to suggest any album for review, hip hop or not.
Thanks for your time.
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