Disco de Jedi Mind Tricks: “Visions of Ghandi [PA]”

At times, I have to be disappointed in music, especially when trends tend to affect my favorite group in ways that don't seem clear. In this case, Jedi Mind Tricks, which has made some incredible music, left me confused by making an album rife with unprecedented spitefulness, until I really started to listen deeply. At that point, I was able to put aside my feelings of betrayal (as I was hoping that Jedi Mind would continue stimulating me as they had with Violent by Design), and put this whole matter into perspective.

I thought about other groups, other bands, with albums that make us all cringe as if we'd just bitten some rotten s#--. This made me want to explore Visions of Ghandi, which at times is uncomfortable for the listener, especially one who has become accustomed to hearing a certain vibe from an artist. It's tough to understand Vinnie Paz if we continue to think of him only as Ikon because he is a complex individual. In this album, the graphic sadism overwhelms the listener. Paz comes right out with it -- hardcore, heavy metal, images of massacres -- and illustrates the truth of our time, through his lens. David Koresh, Hannibal Lektor -- names which evoke psychopathic images of calmness amid calamitous stimuli -- are but parts of the story in Visions of Ghandi. What these two men have in common are followers, those acolytes who needed a messiah of a vengeful nature. Is this what we have to think of Jedi Mind Tricks, that the hiphop group wants to have us kneeling before Vinnie Paz? No. The answer to this question is not even close to affirmative. In fact, we should view this album as a follow up not to Violent by Design, but to Dostoevsky's Notes from the Underground. Jedi Mind Tricks has evolved into an existential state of musical achievement, whereby our discomfort signals that we all have in us the same spiteful propensities inspired within the lyrics of Vinnie Paz. Specific to those aforementioned psychopaths and Dostoevsky, we might infer that Paz's lyrical content is in a different realm from all other hip hop - written from the perspective of others. Timothy McVeigh and the Tooth Fairy come instantly to mind as those who would have written what Vinnie Paz spits, making us relive fear in all its forums, at precisely the moment when terrorism is the new form of self expression in this world.

Visions of Ghandi is not necessarily to be avoided for its malediction, as only half the battle is in the lyrics. The other half is our own lyrical expression - how do we all deal with our most intense desires and feelings of ill will? Listening to Jedi Mind Tricks in this capacity serves us with the lessons of hip hop that are underappreciated by corporate rap. These lessons need a teacher -- KRS, where are you?

Five stars for delving into, even creating a new consciousness, for being a groundbreaker in hip hop -- we'll see where we can go from it.

I'm not a long-time Jedi Mind Tricks fan. Before this album, all I had was a burned copy of Violent By Design, and I wasn't really planning on getting this album because of all the bad reviews. But I was in Best Buy doing some Christmas shopping and it was just sitting there, and I had to pick it up because I simply couldn't believe that the geniuses behind VBD could make something all-out wack.

They didn't. It's not the same, but you have to take this album for what it is, not what you expected or how it compares to VBD. First of all, you have to realize the vibe is much more cartoony, not as serious as their past work. Think about it. It's called Visions of Ghandi even though it has ridiculously violent rhymes. The rapping couldn't get any more raw, but the beats are polished and animated. The songs have titles like "Tibetan Black Magic," "Rise of the Machines," "A Storm of Swords," etc. The contrasts aren't an accident. People are taking this more seriously than it's meant to be taken. You just have to learn to appreciate this album based on its own strengths, not those of VBD.

The main complaint, of course, is Vinnie Paz' rhymes. It's true, the breath control is off, but it's still full of memorable, multi-syllable lines. They don't even pretend to be intelligent. What it is is R-rated cartoon violence battle rhymes. It doesn't dazzle you with spectacular insight or wordplay, but it's fun to follow along with and see what he'll say next. And it's raw. Vinnie's rough voice and shouting delivery are addicting the way they sound so rugged, and they suit the violent rhymes perfectly.

I was expecting a lot more anti-Christian lyrics after reading all the reviews. There weren't as many as everyone says, and they were too goofy to be offensive to hardcore hip-hop listeners. When he talks about putting the nail in the cross, he's just promoting his image of the reckless instigator, and once again, there's a cartoony feel to it all, anyway. People say he's going overboard. I hope so, or he wouldn't be a very good reckless instigator, now, would he?

It seems to me everyone just let their expectations get the better of them. With the change in beat style, rhyme style, and the absence of Jus Allah, this isn't even really the same Jedi Mind Tricks. I'd have to say it's a step below. But that doesn't mean this isn't a quality album. Stoupe has changed but is still undeniably talented. Vinnie Paz could have had a much better flow, but as far as content, I think it came out exactly the way he wanted it to. Just forget about whatever you expected and drop all comparisons, and you should learn to like this album.

Closing comments: Paz is one of the funniest-looking people I've ever seen. No wonder he wears the mask.

I don't know what happened to this group. Psycho-Social is one of my favorite discs both lyrically and musically. Stoupe still proves he's one of the best producers in hip hop, but Vinnie Paz's violent Muslim rhetoric has got to go. I have a hard time believing the man who once rapped "I chose to be enclosed and I fold too, like origami / Comprehend the theory of reflection like Parmatma / In the epic Sanskrit history of the world like Mahabharata / Praise to His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada" is now only capable or writing drivel like "I'm like Mussolini, I rule with a iron fist / I stab you in the bladder with a dagger and watch you die in piss". Time for Stoupe to step out on his own and start working with some worthwhile MCs.

My issue isn't really that they're violent, it's that there's no creativity behind the violence. And he seems to have lost all semblance of flow, he really just shouts now.

I don't listen to the radio anymore. Why bother? Just about every station plays garbage, from the factory-manufactured teen angst filled nu-metal on rock stations to the commercial dibble spit by cartoonish cats rocking silly keyboard beats on hip-hop stations. I've found that I've to venture below the pavement to hear anything of any quality: Ani DiFranco, Immortal Technique, and I add JMT to this list of eclectic artists. I heard their 2000 joint VIOLENT BY DESIGN a few years back on wax and I instantly fell in love with their rhymes. That CD's hard to find, so VISIONS OF GHANDI is actually the fist album that I've bought and listened to in detail. These cats would kill Nas on his best day. Aside from the homophobia and religism displayed on this peice, I have to say I'm immemsely pleased. The production is nothing short of impeccable. I've talked to people that say that this one's good, but they're losing their edge. Well, is this is JMT on their worst day, then I'm in for something serious once I cop their earlier efforts.

Jedi Mind Tricks: Visions of Gandhi

-It came out 8/26 which was when i got it......yesterday.....and it is definately worth getting....production is probably the best overall of any album this year....at least!........Beat production by Stoupe The Enemy of Mankind combined with lyrics by Vinnie Paz and other guest appearances including Canibus, Ras Kass, Tragedy Khadafi, Goretex of Non Phixion, Kool G. Rap, Crypt The Warchild and Planetary of OuterSpace, The Rhyme Inspector Percee-P, Ill Bill and Sabac Red of Non Phixion, and Rocky Raez....all result in an incredible album.....

-Track Listing-

-Etc. Info-

-All tracks produced by Stoupe....many seem to have a very distinct latin influence....which is a positive...making the beats very energetic and emotional......

-Best Tracks-

-The entire cd lacks a less-than excellent track...but the top tracks include:

3. Blood In Blood Out

6. Animal Rap featuring Kool G. Rap

8. Storm of Swords feat. Planetary

11. Walk With Me featuring The Rhyme Inspector Percee-P

14. Kublai Khan featuring Tragedy Khadafi and Goretex

15. What's Really Good featuring Rocky Raez

17. Raw is War 2003

-I would list every song.....because i can seriously say that every single track is ill....and you wont be dissapointed......Buy the cd already!.....what else can i say.......Ive had it for less than 1 day and i cant stop listening.........Watch out for Jedi Mind Tricks, although they say they would like to remain underground.....im sure things will change.......

5 STARS!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!