Various Artists
Underground Hip Hop Essentials Vol. 1
Sassbologna (2006)
It hasn't been until recently, with my discovery of artists like Ghostface Killah, that I started listening to hip hop again. I was excited when I saw this release, and knew I wanted to venture into the world of hip-hop reviews. The Underground Hip Hop Essentials Vol. 1 comp features thirteen tracks from underground rappers from around the country and U.K. There is an indie feel to this compilation, which is a very fun style to a world of hip-hop where money and getting shot and dumb shit like that is the norm. There are instrumentals featuring original beats and hooks, but many of the songs are centered around rappers who are trying to master the English language by rhyming as constantly as possible (and occasionally) as intelligently as possible with the backdrop of homemade beats and flows in the background. Lyrics range from the impressive: "Speak from my essence / speak from my soul/ speak from my heart til' the mike overflows," to the funny: "I'm smooth like Clooney / when you see me on my bike / ask oh brother where art though / on the motherfucking mic!" Hip-hop should be about fun once in a while, so … Read more
Willy Mason
If the Ocean Gets Rough
Astralwerks (2007)
Listening to Willy Mason, it is hard to remember that the voice being projected through the speakers belongs to a … Read more
Various Artists
New York vs. New Jersey: Punk Rock Battle Royal
Crafty (2007)
Throughout the 90's pop-punk was an essential part of most punk and hardcore kids' record collections. Even those whose tastes … Read more
Pissed Jeans
Hope for Men
Sub Pop (2007)
Ask somebody why they like the music they like, and you can get more or less the same answer. We … Read more
Pissed Jeans
Hope for Men
Sub Pop (2007)
The music of Pissed Jeans is what The Wonder Years might have been like if Kevin had been born with … Read more
