Hail Mary Mallon "Are You Gonna Eat That?" album review by Zak at ZIA Records

Today I’m going to check out the new Hail Mary Mallon album “Are You Going To Eat That?” and give a review track by track as I listen to it for the first time. Hopefully this goes well and isn’t boring as shit. Let’s be completely honest, you’re reading a blog probably mid-day when you should be working or watching your kids or something so…

For those of you who don’t know Hail Mary Mallon is a group of likeminded individuals Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz. Being an indie hip hop fan I have been waiting for this album ever since I heard “D-Up” on one of the Def Jux comp cds’s. I’m a huge fan of all these guys and have been waiting awhile for new music from all. I loved Rob’s Sonic Sum band and really was into Aesop’s work on the latest Felt record, but this was the one I was waiting for. I’m also looking forward to a hip hop record with some well thought writing lyricism and not hearing “WACKA” shouted at me.

All right track one is called “Church Pants”: Great intro. “2 by 2 by 2 by 2” These guys really flow well off each other. Amazing production (nice echoes)! Very nice jump off track.

Track 2 is called “Garfield”: Right off the bat I can tell this an Aesop beat. I think Aesop has now gotten himself to the point of being recognized by production as much as flow. This song has that “Aesop” sound which to me has blossomed since his move to the West Coast. His beats go perfect with the cadence of himself and Rob. FYI: scratches are perfectly timed.

Track 3 “Grubstake”: I know it’s played out (pun intended) to reference RUN-DMC ,but Sonic and Aesop’s lyrical exchange on this track very much reminds me off their back and forth. Very conversational but this track is too short. Just when you appreciate the flow, it’s over.

Track 4 “Meter Feeder”: “I came for the food but stayed for the prom dresses” Awesome. I can see just listening to this and walking around.

Track 5 “Smock”: The album slows down a bit but it’s a nice break. Change up in delivery to compliment the track. Check out the video on YouTube.

Track 6 “The Poconos”: “Hotel Motel, Holy Ghost…Razor Blade, Jailbait, Overdose”. Great track. I haven’t said it yet but the samples on this record are great. This is the first we hear from Rob production-wise. It’s Awesome. “Hail A King, Hail A Cab, Hail Satan” says Rob

Track 7 “Break-dance Beach”: Break-dance Beach sounds like a ‘80’s throwback. Production takes a backseat to flow. It works for sure. Was that Cage?

Track 8 “Table Talk”: Another Rob produced track. It’s sick for sure.

Track 9 “Mail Box Baseball”: Wiz shines on the front of this track. “Wiz on the Tecs, Class Pay Attention” Aesop shouts on this track. How is this the first Hail Mary Mallon record and when is the new one?

Track 10 “Holy Diver”: No Ronnie James here (RIP Ronnie) just a great track. Do Rob and Aesop start first on the tracks they do beats for? I gotta listen to this again. “I Escaped New York like I watch King Kong Backwards” Aesop!.....you! Nice ‘70s Blacksploitation feel to the track as well.

At this point I have to take a dump and pause this record (oatmeal for breakfast). Oh what I suppose you don’t go to the bathroom!?! I’m a human being! I have functions! Dicks…

Back. What kind of person leaves the toilet paper roll empty? I work with animals at Zia HQ! Animals…who don’t wipe!

Track 11 “Knievel”: On tracks like this I wonder how the writing process goes. There are just so many words crammed into a track. It totally works but ..Wow. It’s hard to create a track like this and make it sound like you are not reading a list. How you do that is add a sense of urgency and element of conversational back and forth. They do this well.

Track 12 “Plagues and Bacon”: Another machine gun verse by Aesop. Fast and furious. Sounds great! How does someone as big as Rob get enough breathe to spit this fast without breathing hard?

This is a great record. I love everything about this group! The videos have a comedic sense and these guys seem to have a genuine chemistry that comes out on the tracks. I love any music with a little something sinister to it (Smith’s anyone?) and you throw in a little funny and I’m sold! Buy this record!