Inactivity

I swear I'll get back to this one day. Been too busy with school and video games.

Obscure Sphinx - "Anaesthetic Inhalation Ritual" Review

I have been spending my time on everything but updating this blog for a while so I decided it's time I try something different. This is a hip-hop blog and that's how it's going to stay, don't worry, but everyone that stumbles across this site should have the chance to check out this gem. I doubt anyone here has any interest in metal, but I can't resist putting this out there.
Sludge and doom are some of my favorite genres of metal, and music in general. One of my favorite sludge acts I discovered maybe a few months ago by word of mouth and I couldn't have been luckier. Obscure Sphinx is a sludge/post-metal outfit from Warsaw, Poland, founded in 2008. They have 3 releases out so far, 2 being demos. Their latest release, Anaesthetic Inhalation Ritual, is a groundbreaking record. 7 Tracks long and totaling just under an hour, I feel like this should have been longer. Every time I listen to it I have to just start it over again. Perhaps the best thing about this album is the vocalist, who is probably the most powerful and passionate I've ever heard in metal, or in any other genre. Every style she takes on is phenomenal and moving. She can easily switch between bleak, harsh shrieking of sorts and a cleaner, passionate clean voice, but never loses her power. I know I really sound like a dick-rider (despite her being female) but I honestly don't have any gripes here. There are many sections on this release where vocals aren't present so you never feel overwhelmed and can just just zone out to the melodies. This release is full of energetic riffs that slow into a calm section in the middle of the album, and pick back up before the end, really feeling like a journey. Again, I can't think of anything bad to say. From the riffs to the drumming and bass, the instrumentation never lacks for emotion and energy. A little past the middle of the album, there is such tension before getting back to the fast and angry sections and such a buildup that when it finally arrives you will probably break your head through the closest object in front of you. The main riffs here remind me Meshuggah, but are pulled off better (as far as I'm concerned) and the music itself isn't as repetitive. For this section there is a another intense buildup of energy with backing guitar solos and growls until it eventually slows down once again and eases into the final track. Unfortunately, I feel that this track isn't as good as the rest of the album. There are a few sections where the clean vocals seem to take away from the music, but other parts you would feel like the vocalist is in tears. It's truly an experience nonetheless and still ends very well and keeps you wanting more. This entire release will have you headbanging and losing your connection with reality (in the good way). I am very excited to see where Obscure Sphinx goes with their career and I urge you to try this album.

You can listen 21 minutes of material and buy a digital copy of the album on their bandcamp for 3 EUR.

Metal Archives page

Update (Lack of posts, future)

Greetings, any readers that I might have.
    I have been slacking with both writing and listening to new music lately. Call it a rut, but I've been more interested in reading and other things like video games lately. I haven't played many records the past week or so, none of which being anything that I should be reviewing. I apologize for my laziness to both myself and anybody who happens to take an interest in my little slice of the internet.
     As I try to ease myself back into a regular schedule of sorts you can possibly expect to see reviews for the following:

Nas - Life is Good
Childish Gambino - Royalty
El-P - Cancer 4 Cure
Ab-Soul - Control System
Rich Kid Sound System - No Cheers For Pioneers
Lushlife - Plateau Vision
XV - Popular Culture
   
This list will change and be expanded upon over the next days and weeks.

Top 5 Hip-Hop Releases of 2012 So Far

1. El-P - Cancer 4 Cure
2. Big K.R.I.T. - 4eva Na Day
3. Killer Mike - R.A.P Music
4. Madchild - The EP Collection
5. Childish Gambino - Royalty



This is more or less off the top of my head. I struggled to even find a 5th place spot. I don't absolutely love Royalty but it's a pretty good mixtape. Big K.R.I.T., Killer Mike, Madchild and El-P made the list very easily.  Check out all of these releases if you haven't already.
2012 doesn't seem to have nearly as many great releases as 2011.
I might update the list if I think of any other artists that have been forgotten.
Honorable mentions list will be updated as I think of them as well.

Honorable Mentions:
1. Tech N9ne - Klusterfuk ep

Thee Tom Hardy - "Guerrilla Broadcast" Album Review

     I've had quite a few albums sitting on my hard drive for weeks and sometimes months that I never got around to hearing. I try to play them whenever I can think of the artists in my queue, but many get skipped over and forgotten. I'm very glad that I ended up listening to the latest Thee Tom Hardy LP on a random pick today.
     Thee Tom Hardy is an independent rapper/producer from North Carolina. Tom, formerly signed to 9th Wonder's Jamla Records, began working independently after, obviously, leaving the label. I can't seem to find much information on Tom so I'll have to leave that at that.
     Guerrilla Broadcast is a highly personal record, but the lyrics are interesting. Some mainstream artists with personal albums tend to have lyrics a little on the boring side (I'm looking at you Kanye). Tom discusses anything from smoking weed to his adventures chasing women. And not just the sex.
     This album has a great smooth, laid back jazzy sound and feel to it. From the beats to Tom's flow this release is just made for relaxing. There really isn't a bad track to speak of on this LP, but if you don't like one track of his you won't like any of them. Each song, sonically, is very similar. But of course this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
     If you're not familiar with this North Carolina emcee you have to put him on your radar and expect more great material in the future.

Stream and free download here

Killer Mike - "R.A.P Music" Album Review

     On May 15th dropped one of the greatest albums so far of 2012. Killer Mike's R.A.P Music. This album was a collaborative effort between Mike and, one of today's best producers, El-P. I had never heard of Killer Mike before this album and hadn't yet bothered to check out El-P. R.A.P Music is Mike's 6th studio album but he hadn't blown up until now, but I'm glad he's getting the respect he deserves.
   
 Everybody has been hyping this record and at first listen I wasn't sure that I liked it as much as everyone else. After another play-through however, I realized it's appeal. Killer Mike is, and everyone will tell you this, similar to old Ice Cube on this release. His aggressive and passionate delivery, coupled with hateful lyrics towards racism and the government bring us right back to 1990's Amerikkka's Most Wanted.
   
 R.A.P Music tackles such issues as police brutality (Don't Die), politician's racist agendas (Reagan) and gang life (Big Beast). But Mike's latest effort isn't just politics. Songs like Jojo's Chillin and Southern Fried are funky and generally fun. El-P's production bumps in the whip.
   
 Every hook on this album is great, but I feel that sometimes the verses don't flow into them very well. That being said, nobody can downplay R.A.P Music's flow in general. El-P truly is brilliant at bringing every track together. El-P's beats are so complex and interesting that they almost overshadow Mike's rapping at times. You need a play-through for paying attention to Mike, and one for the beats to really absorb it all.
 
 R.A.P Music is worth whatever price you find it being sold for. Go buy it and support one of the hottest collaborations in years.

Preview
Digital Download
Order cd or vinyl here

Logic - "Young Sinatra: Undeniable" Mixtape Review/Download

Alright; Logic's latest mixtape. I have mixed views about this project; Undeniable jumps all over the bloody place. When I first heard that, I wasn't sure how much I believed it.It couldn't be that odd, right? Wrong. The flow of this release is very strange, to put it plainly.

  The first 4 tracks, of the 22, are just what one would expect from a Logic release, but tracks 5 and 6 switch it up. Track 5, No Biggie uses the beat from Kick In the Door, by, surprisingly, Notorious B.I.G. This is about the highlight of this mixtape. Following No Biggie is Disgusting, featuring a Big Punisher beat. Again, this track is excellent.

  Track 7 is where this project really slaps you in the face and basically just confuses the shit out of you. Tic Tac Toe is when Logic completely changes the feel of the mixtape, sounding like Mac Miller or something. The release takes a dip here and doesn't pick up again until track 13, Numbers. This is just a great track about money and the problems that follow it, particularly phoney people (I'm feeling a little Mac Miller vibe again).

  By track 15 I'm feeling a little shaky again. Now Logic is trying to be Drake instead of Mac Miller or a thug and I'm not sure I like it. Logic would be a better Drake than Drake, but Drake isn't good nonetheless. This track is not for me, but it will definitely be loved by some. The following track has the same vibe to it, and I don't dig it at all. The same goes for track 17 as well.

  Track 18, Young Sinatra III, is a step back in the right direction. It samples Nas and even feels like a Nas track. Young Sinatra III saves the end of the mixtape for sure; this one is fantastic. The following track is nearly as good, which surprised me after those songs about 3/4 of the way through the mixtape.

  The ending tracks of the mixtape are  more of what we came to Logic for. They allow me to overall, label this a decent mixtape. Its fault is that it seems to lack direction throughout, but can that be excused? After all, it's only a mixtape.

  By the way: if I actually have any readers I'd like to apologize for my prolonged absence.




Download

Mac Miller ''Macadelic'' Mixtape Review/Download

This is my 2nd review of a Mac Miller release, but I just couldn't resist. Mac just dropped Macadelic, his 7th mixtape, for free. Miller has been working nonstop since he was about 15 and it's really paying off. In 2010, he sold out every show on his ''Incredibly Dope Tour''.

 Just as I expected, Miller's clever lyricism is still making me smile. His success must be making him a little cocky. On the first track he raps,''And I do it big, you a iPod Nano''. On the next one he continues showing off with ''I just sold out that Fillmore/Got a million, make a mil more/Play a number one spot on the billboard''. But he isn't just talking shit; his debut album, Blue Slide Park(which I reviewed earlier), hit number 1 on the Billboard 200.

 I was somewhat surprised to discover Miller's storytelling skill with the track Vitamins. It describes a a drug trip in its most literal interpretation and is one of the best songs on the mixtape. This mixtape might have been better than Blue Slide Park if it was released with the 2nd half removed, but they have different appeals. Blue Slide Park is much easier to listen to and fun as hell. Macadelic is longer and much slower, being comprised of more clever lines and discussion of Mac's problems throughout.  Mac's lyrical skill is at it's finest and easily kills most rappers at his level of stardom.

Following the structure of his debut, Macadelic loses it's fire as it progresses, and does it worse than Blue Slide Park. Tracks 7 & 8 are disappointing and I thought track 12, The Question, featuring Lil Wayne would be the end, but I was pleasantly surprised by Wayne's verse. It didn't exactly have Weezy's unique appeal to it, but the clever lyrics kept me interested and listening.

The rest of the mixtape is perhaps too slow for hip-hop and mostly average. Nothing memorable appears on any of the last 5 tracks or so, other than the final track, Fuck 'em All. Mostly because of the hook: ''Get ya money, fuck 'em all/Everything, could be gone tomorrow/What's if it's gone tomorrow?/Get ya money, fuck 'em all/Get ya money, fuck 'em all/Everything, could be gone tomorrow/Everything, could be gone tomorrow/So get ya money, fuck 'em all.''

With this release, Mac Miller has ensured my interest in his career. It might not be phenomenal, but it's definitely interesting and smart, which is almost a rarity at his level of success. I'll be checking every album and mixtape of Miller's, probably for years to come, and hoping for the best.




Download Free Here (320kbps)

Kid Ink "Up & Away" Review

There is not much to say about Kid Ink's debut album, Up & Away, other than that it's highly average and in no way original or interesting. This isn't the worst hip-hop record ever released, but there is really no reason to listen to it, or even acknowledge the young rapper's existence. Sure this might be enjoyable for the casual hip-hop fan, but even then I'm not sure it's worth any money. The beats aren't that bad and the opening track, admittedly is somewhat enjoyable. But by track 4, Act Like That, this album becomes irritating. I honestly can't get all the way through this release. If that voids my opinion then so be it, but I think half of a play through is all that's needed to form a realistic idea of Up & Away. I know I won't need to check out any more of Kid Ink's career.

Preview Here

Machine Gun Kelly "Half Naked & Almost Famous" EP Review/Download

Machine Gun Kelly has been gaining exposure rapidly since being approached by Sean Combs (P. Diddy/Puff Daddy) and being signed to Bad Boy Records. MGK's first EP is just what you'd expect to hear from Bad Boy in 2012; catchy hooks, average lyrics and great sounding production. Baker's nickname comes from his "rapid fire flow", but he truly has nothing on Tech N9ne or Busta in that regard. Don't get me wrong, this is a decent release, but not really worth more than a few plays as far as I'm concerned. Half Naked & Almost Famous starts off pretty well with Warning Shot. Cassie lays down a great sounding hook and MGK backs it up with speedy, aggressive verses. The rest of this short EP doesn't really lose momentum and isn't boring even after a few plays in a row. If you're a fan of this style of hip-hop, definitely grab this EP as digital download for $4.99 from the link below.





Digital Download here