Let’s just start things off by saying this: as lame as it sounds I rarely review things I don’t enjoy. I think that when an artist puts their heart and soul into something it deserves the consideration of someone who can be objective and approaches the art with an open mind. That being said I think it is also a waste of everyone’s time (me to write it and you to read it) for me to go thru the effort to write something negative about something I didn’t enjoy. So my reviews are more like “hey this is rad and you should check it out.
It is no secret that I have a love for this genre of music and I have been waiting for this record for a couple of years. It was worth the wait. Right off the bat Aesop starts with the lyric “Postcards from the pink” in that just smoked a cigarette while running 6 blocks cadence. Aes’s flow has always had a sense of urgency and quickness as well as a relaxed tone. It’s a great juxtaposition that he pulls off flawlessly. This an Aesop Rock record for Aesop Rock fans!
This being an Aesop record you are going to have some of his friends lending their talents on the project like Kimya Dawson, Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz, Allyson Baker and others. Aes does not need any extra help really but it’s hard to imagine “ZZZ-Top” without Allyson Baker and “Crows 1” without Kimya Dawson. The real star of guests is the one who speaks with his hands, Big Wiz. Wiz’s scratches add the best complement to Aes’s lyrics and production.
The album has some amazing tracks on it but there are some definite stand-outs. Having listened to “Zero Dark Thirty” steadily since Rhymsayers released the track has definitely had its affect and it remains my favorite Aesop Rock track in years. Followed close behind that track is “Racing Stripes”. Any track that speaks to a Bones Brigade circa ’89 fan with Johnny Rad and Animal Chin references definitely wins me over!
Bottom line: you should run to Zia right now and grab this. It will be in the player well until 2013! If you are a fan then this record was made for you! Wait did I just hear “Wore the same hoodie everyday like Mumra”?!?!
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