Disco de Cypress Hill: “Cypress Hill III (Temples of Boom) [Edited]”

When I first heard "Temples of Boom", I was disappointed. After all, I loved "Black Sunday", and I guess I was expecting more. But the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. The beats are phat as hell, piled on top of each till they reach critical mass. I really digged the Ice Cube put down. Just goes to show ya the boyz from Cypress don't give a f**k who they piss off. The best thing about this album, as well as "Cypress Hill" and "Black Sunday", is that all three albums are unique sounding in a homogenized rap scene; they stand out like a green herb in a wheat field. And how many rap groups would have the guts to try all the different sounds Cypress includes in their tracks. When was the last time you heard a sitar on a hip-hop album? Check out Black Sunday, Cypress Hill, and definitly Temples of Boom

For me, this is the greatest hip-hop album of all time. Now, this probably has a lot to do with the fact that I am more of a "glass-half-empty" kind of guy, and you will not find a darker, more pessimistic, paranoid vision than the one expressed by B-Real (and to a lesser extent his sidekick Sen-Dog) on this disc. Even Muggs' production manages to convey darkness and fear throughout the proceedings. But as dark as it gets, the album never loses hold of the funk. So basically, it's a great disc to bug out to when you think the world is out to get you.

Kicking off with yet another great ode to "the powers of the herb," Temples of Boom ends up being almost a cautionary statement about what happens if you smoke too much weed ... I've read more than one leaflet stating that excessive use often leads to paranoia, and this album bears that claim out. Cypress Hill obviously love their herb, but there's little joy in the celebration; instead it comes across as a means of coping somehow with their dark world.

But is the world dark as a result of their chimney-esque smoke intake? When B-Real isn't rapping about how he's having "Illusions" f***in' me up in my mind", he's blowing people's heads off while singing "Boom Biddie Bye-Bye", engaging in a very nasty feud with Ice-Cube on "No Rest For The Wicked", extolling the benefits of getting jumped into a gang on "Throw Your Set In The Air", gunning down weed-dealing adversaries before they can shoot him first ("Stoned Raiders"), engaging in random armed robbery and fleeing the police ("Locotes"), just firing guns at seemingly anyone who happens to get in his way ("Make A Move"), or lamenting how he "can't even trust my own brothers" ("Killafornia").

The line that says it all about Cypress Hill and where their heads were at when they made this album:

"Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, I smoke weed and I got brain damage,

But I don't give a f***, cuz I still manage"

("Strictly Hip-Hop")

Muggs' backing tracks create a creepy feel that perfectly suits the schizophrenic, paranoid mindset that dominates the lyrics. He cooks up a batch of minor-key hooks and basslines with some very unusual samples, including opera singers' voices and spooky keyboards. Overall, the effect is mind-blowing.

No silly house-party jams on here, folks. This one's for throwing on later in the evening when darker feelings start to creep to the surface. Which has always been the time of night I most related to anyway.

A funny personal story - in 1995 I was a middle school math teacher, one of my students (knowing I liked some hip-hop) actually gave me this as a Christmas present. Talk about awkward, LOL. But it remains one the best presents I ever got; 14 years later and still love it.

The amazon reviewer didn't mention the music; its more of an anti-pot attack than an album review, so ignore it.

Cypress Hill has created a finely crafted hip hop album with catchy beats and tight lyrics. These, along with the album art create a sinister mood that is a joy to take in. It is a remarkable piece of art.

If your taste in hip hop consists of Jesse McCartney and Usher then you might not like this album. But if you have even a slight appreciation of the dark side then you will be hugely entertained.

I gotta say that when I first got this disc many years ago, I didn't really listen to it all that much. I liked a couple songs but went back to Black Sunday everytime. For whatever reason, aside from the fact that Cypress is one of the phattest hip hop talents out there, I started playing this album recently. Now I can't stop listening to it. I like how the beats and lyrics are so dark and anti-"hit single". Very creative and deep. And while you won't find any "insane in the membrane" on this cd, you will find a ton of phat trax.

Don't let ANYONE tell you this is a weak Cypress Hill joint. NOT TRUE. I like "Black Sunday" as much as the next guy, but WOW! THIS IS THE COOLEST,SPOOKIEST,BEST-PRODUCED ALBUM FROM THE HILL! THE OTHER ALBUMS (Excluding the first album, which is as good as this one)is just standard hip-hop, but this one is actually different. While dealing with the same themes, this one manages to give off an eerie, spookie vibe (especially "Illusions" and "TYSINT") that makes this one utterly PERFECT!