Disco de Aesop Rock: “Bazooka Tooth [Clean Version]”

I've read an awful lot of reviews of this album, but there aren't any on this site. First, I'm undeniably a fan: "Labor Days" was a brilliant album, and I think this one might be more so. Second, when I bought this album, I didn't know what to make of it: I wasn't sure where it fit into the pantheon of good-to-great hip-hop albums. I've listened to it now a bundle of times -- probably twenty or so hours worth -- and I'm pretty sure it's in the top 20 hip-hop albums of the past few years, even if it's only the third- or fourth-best on Def Jux (and I'm not even sure it's that -- it might be better than "Labor Days" though I'm not sure it is.... Here's why:

First, if you don't like El-P, this probably isn't the album for you. Ace Rock didn't just record an album of "Lucy" songs -- which would have pleased a lot of critics of his (if you want that, go listen to Slug's old stuff). He always was a little angry, and he finally got his beats to line up with his words. It'd be hard to be a New York rapper with all of the chaos of the last few years; it'd be hard to write "Apartment 6B" if you had to tour; it'd be hard to stay with the same producer if what you were trying to do was in part artistic (which it really appears to be). He's pushing limits; he's breaking boundaries. In doing so, he put down a great album BUT it takes a lot of listening to to get that.

Second, I suppose I like Aesop Rock for different reasons than do other people. It seems like most of the people who hate this album like when he tells stories. It's never seemed to me that he was a story teller -- sometimes certainly -- but he's always been better compared to other rappers at twisting phrases -- the five to fifty word images that revolve around themselves. There are storytelling rappers: Mr. Lif does great with it on his label; Michael Frente of Spearhead's done it his whole career; Boots from the Coup is pretty amazing at it to. This guy's not doing that, though. He's doing what he does -- his thing, and he's pretty fantastic at it. Buy this album. Maybe it'll calm him down.

well, i'm not about to call any of amazon's "professional" reviewers unqualified or even inept, but after reading mr. higgins review of aesop's new album i'm very tempted to. granted, aesop rock's style is not for everyone, but when someone says that his verses are gibberish, they're simply proving their own inability to comprehend figurative speech. aesop uses metaphors constantly, and very little of what he says may be taken completely literally and this is where a lot of confusion comes in. casual hip hop listeners probably won't be interested in this album because it requires a little bit of effort from them to get the message. i'm not giving a full review of every aspect of the cd, i just wanted to clear up this little problem people seem to have with this album. and by the way, to say "mars attacks" has incomprehensible lyrics is one the dumbest things i've ever heard. i think somebody wasn't listening very closely. but that's alright, these songs are not the superficial top 40 hip pop types of songs you hear everyday. you're either able to strip away that first layer of discomfort and discover the deeper merits of it, or you can't. and say what you will about el-p and his label, but you can't deny the the fact that they are truly innovating, rather than allowing hip hop to become more and more of the same old mainstream wannabe dr. dre or tribe called quest tracks and lyrics.

def jukie for life. "please remember, that i can build you my friend and if i'm not happy i'll break you the f*ck down and build you again" -aesop himself

(on another note, why do so many rappers wear those gawdy ass chains? chains are for prisoners and/or slaves aren't they?)

Aesop Rock's new album "Bazooka Tooth" is the best release from Def.Jux this year and all I can say is pick this one up listen to it and make your own judgement. I personally think this Aesop album is better then Labor Days and right up their with Float. The big difference in this one is that Ace Rizzle comes with his own production for 11 of the 15 tracks and does unreal.

It's like he studied right under EL-P's wing, and for that we get another unreal produced album from def jux(on the level of El-P's "Fantastic Damage",and Cannibal Ox's "The Cold Vein").

As far as the Lyrics go well Aesop is at his best coming with his unusally style and orginal wordplay. In order to really feel his lyrics LISTEN TO THIS ON YOUR HEADPHONES A FEW TIMES and then u will see why Aesop Rock is one of the best new hip hop mc's and for all of yall haters EL-p, and Aesop got a track called We're Famous in which El-P had a 4 min verse basically defining definitive jux, and what it stands for also saying F**k you to all that say the new sound of def jux is not hip hop. The whole album is dope from start to finish, and Aesop shows that him and Def jux aren't going anywhere. peace

this album is not easily accessible. call it what you will, but it isn't meant for everyone. it is, however, genius, as, when it hits you, it knocks you senseless. aesop is at his peak here, his honesty and political stances surprising and refreshing. on "ny electric," he makes references to "41 shots over par," and when i got it, i felt chills. this album requires numerous listens, to catch the intricacies of a true masterpiece. if you can catch the genius of "greatest pacman victory ever" (try listening real hard 2 minutes in), understand the raw of "babies with guns," feel the pain on the ending solo verse of "11:35" and catch the old school banger of "frijoles," this album will never leave your cd player. props to aesop, for forcing people to think - don't be too quick to dismiss this album, as it'll say a lot about you.

I really haven't been listening to anything else other than Bazooka Tooth. This album is so different. That's a good thing though something that's also going to make a lot of people have different opinions. If you bought this album expecting "Labor Days" then your bound to be dissapointed. Aesop Rock is growing and I think he's headed in the right direction. Like I said this isn't a "Labor Days" but he didn't want it to be.

Favorite moments: Chorus of "Super Fluke", El-P's verse on "We're Famous" (wow), End of "Babies With Guns", Change up in "Mars Attacks" (when the beat changes up.... Aesop Rock cooks up the best beat on the album in my opinion), Honeycomb Interlude

Favorite tracks:

Best beat on the album: Blockhead came back to produce 3 tracks, El-P produced one, and Aesop Rock produced 11 (which means your getting the full Aesop sound this time.. if you want it or not). Some people that give weaknesses on this album say the production isn't that good but I disagree. People say Blockhead and El-P dropped the best beats. While they did drop really nice beats, I gotta say the best beat on the album goes to the change up on "Mars Attacks" (produced by Aesop himself). Listen and you'll know what i'm talking about.

This album ownz plain and simple. Can Aesop Rock make bad music? Doesn't seem like it.