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Aesop Rock Skelethon

yuggy [Edit] [Delete] 51 replies 18:51 July 10th, 2012

You can download the deluxe version off Amazon right now a week before release for like 8ish quid. Had no idea this album was so close to release, Pitchfork gave it 8.2.

I'm in an internet cafe and have no internet at home so I'm buying it now without spinning a stream first. Going to rush home and blast it loud. Discuss this album, I WONDER IF IT'S GOOD?

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I wrote something in the hip hop thread

http://drownedinsound.com/community/boards/music/4317075#r6868259

In short, I like it.

littlebirds | 10 Jul '12, 18:54 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Screw it, I'll just copy and paste
  
  Enjoying the new Aesop Rock:
  
  It's a fairly dense album, but I find that his refined flow weaves hypnotically over the beats, and while I'm left with little impression of what he's spitting about on the first couple of listens, it makes for a satisfying record. Zero Dark Thirty didn't grab me as a single, but it shines in the context of the album.
  
  He proves himself as an accomplished full-length producer in the absence of Blockhead, creating a fairly unique vision of hip hop that you couldn't really see coming from another artist, and layered beats that I can see appealing to indie rock crowds, without pandering to them.
  
  Not quite brilliant, but likely his best full length since Labour Days. Good year for Jukies so far, I reckon.
  
  littlebirds @littlebirds | 10 Jul '12, 18:57 | X | ^ This | Reply
Ooooooohhh

vamos | 10 Jul '12, 19:25 | X | ^ This | Reply
- You can stream below:
  
  http://tinyurl.com/d3az8mn
  
  littlebirds @vamos | 10 Jul '12, 19:48 | X | ^ This | Reply
I've been enjoying it

As ever with Aesop, I'm not sure quite how much just yet, but there's definitely lots to like about it.

'Grace' is Hilarious. Definitely one of the more straight-forward songs on the record but I just really like the whole concept.

Kyle_ | 10 Jul '12, 20:03 | X | ^ This | Reply
- After a couple of extra days
  
  I've decided I like this album a lot. Agree that the 2nd half initially grabbed me more, but I really like the whole thing now. I'd definitely recommend the videos on YouTube with Aesop explaining what all the tracks are about. Really helped me 'get into the zone' of the album...or something like that.
  
  What a year for underground rap music.
  
  Kyle_ @Kyle_ | 12 Jul '12, 13:42 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Good shout, I'll check that out
    
    His lyrics are completely indecipherable at times
    
    littlebirds @Kyle_ | 12 Jul '12, 13:46 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - It's been a Stella year for hip hop
    
    Yesiamaduck @Kyle_ | 12 Jul '12, 13:48 | X | ^ This | Reply
Yup, really like it on first proper listen

The second half of the record felt better to me but maybe I was just warming up to it gradually.

Enjoyed hearing a bit of old fashioned scratching too.

vamos | 12 Jul '12, 11:04 | X | ^ This | Reply
- On first listen I agree.
  
  First half I was thinking, "the older I get, the more flaws I can see with the rappers I loved in the early 2000s."
  
  Second half I was thinking, "fuck that, this is great."
  
  whynot @vamos | 12 Jul '12, 16:33 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - I'm on listen 4 now
    
    Think it might be 'one of those growers'. There is some absolutely mesmerising stuff going on in the background of some of these tracks.
    
    vamos @whynot | 12 Jul '12, 16:38 | X | ^ This | Reply
Is the voice on the 2 or 3 tracks with a female singer

The better half of Moldy Peaches? Seemed to recognise her...?

vamos | 12 Jul '12, 14:09 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Yeah that's Kimya Dawson
  
  Slightly oddly perhaps, they're really good friends. They're doing a whole album together as well.
  
  Kyle_ @vamos | 12 Jul '12, 15:55 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Well that's me sold then, was waivering...
    
    I'm gonna get on it.
    
    El_Goodo @Kyle_ | 14 Jul '12, 13:31 | X | ^ This | Reply
- theyve got a group
  
  called The Uncluded
  
  TheKennedyCurse @vamos | 27 Sep '12, 14:37 | X | ^ This | Reply
Beeb words

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/mbrj

m

Mike_Diver | 12 Jul '12, 14:20 | X | ^ This | Reply
- I haven't listened to the record enough yet to judge the record itself
  
  But as a piece of writing, I thought that was really interesting.
  
  Cheers.
  
  vamos @Mike_Diver | 12 Jul '12, 14:24 | X | ^ This | Reply
  
  El_Goodo this'd this
By the way, the opening two minutes or so of 'Ruby '81'

Are utterly glorious.

vamos | 12 Jul '12, 15:36 | X | ^ This | Reply

JaguarPirate and ohgood this'd this
I'm really liking this

I've liked pretty much all of Aesop's previous stuff, but this may just be the one I fall in love with.

colossalhorse | 12 Jul '12, 15:53 | X | ^ This | Reply
Skelethon has crept up on me so much

Definitely one of my favorites of the year, and I keep discovering more and more in it the more I listen. The story about Camu in 'Racing Stripes' is so funny, and it's nice to have that as a balance as there's a lot of depressing themes going on elsewhere. Also, in 'Crows 1' I really like this idea of the disconnect between graveyards and grieving;

I'm not gonna rot, no, fuck that snot, you can let them let you rot, man, but I'm not gonna watch / I'm not gonna stand atop your plot, I love you friends, but I'm just not / On the other hand if your ashes are scattered in the sea, I will swim in the sea and you'll be with me / and if your shit is scattered at the roots of a tree, I will climb that tree

Kyle_ | 14 Jul '12, 13:26 | X | ^ This | Reply

littlebirds this'd this
.

Brilliant album. Love Racing Stripes. Been years since a song has made me chuckle like that.

CHAIRMAN_LMAO | 14 Jul '12, 15:28 | X | ^ This | Reply

penny_racer this'd this
This is so very, very solid.

Cycles to Gehenna has really made an impression on me, and in fact there's hardly any filler where it loses pace, which is unusual for him.

cocodaLOL | 14 Jul '12, 16:23 | X | ^ This | Reply

JaguarPirate this'd this
Interviewed Aesop

as the main feature of my column. Here's the link if anyone here is interested: http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4145360-champion-sound-8--feat-aesop-rock

Kyle_ | 20 Aug '12, 15:37 | X | ^ This | Reply
Great interview mate

And I'm pretty sure this is my favourite record of 2012 now...

vamos | 20 Aug '12, 20:21 | X | ^ This | Reply
- it's a belter
  
  Love the production on this
  
  penny_racer @vamos | 20 Aug '12, 20:25 | X | ^ This | Reply
yeah, this is really really good

guntrip | 27 Sep '12, 13:30 | X | ^ This | Reply
- so good...
  
  AOTY as it stands for me.
  
  littlebirds @guntrip | 27 Sep '12, 13:32 | X | ^ This | Reply
  
  vamos this'd this
  - Could be mine too
    
    Killer Mike and one or two others are running it close, but I just feel like there's still so much more I can get out of Skelethon. Probably gives it the edge.
    
    The final section of Cycles to Gehenna <3
    
    Kyle_ @littlebirds | 27 Sep '12, 14:08 | X | ^ This | Reply
I had been saving this album

for a time when I could really focus on it, knowing that in order to appreciate it on any level it had to be done that way. Had a long flight to Seattle recently and this is about all I listened to there and back, enjoyed it fully. Aesop as background music does not work at all, he's always a dense listen, on all levels, from production to lyrics to overarching themes and concepts. His sound is so singular to me, Ive always wondered what he would sound like over other styles of beats? I tend to think he could work with anything.

Love all the singles (video releases) on this but am partic fond of Zero Dark Thirty, just pounds you with relentless energy and the trashcan snare sound. Love those bits where the beat drops out/back and he is just left there all exposed and vulnerable. Gives us an clear stab at figuring out exactly what it is he is really trying to say, like he is just daring us to dissect his words knowing that we wont be able to. Aes is a poet first imo, maybe my favorite lyricist ever.

theShipment | 27 Sep '12, 17:51 | X | ^ This | Reply

littlebirds this'd this
- Pretty much agree with all of this
  
  The lyrics on this thing are ridiculous... The Youtube videos of him explaining each track that Kyle posted up thread helped me absorb them a bit more. Idk, sometimes you hear Aesop Rock tracks and it's easy to wonder if there's anything going on behind the vocabulary. The more you understand the meaning of his tracks, the more incredible the wordplay is.
  
  Think you're right about other styles of beats too... he has an amazing ability to switch his flow from fast to slow to match the tempo of the beat, that few people can pull off (Kweli spring to mind actually).
  
  Anyway, plenty of albums out there to love this year, this is one to get obsessed with.
  
  littlebirds @theShipment | 27 Sep '12, 18:13 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Love how he released those youtube videos with clips of the song.
    
    Smart move as he knows everyone is going to listen to his album that way at some point, might as well control the medium.
    
    theShipment @littlebirds | 27 Sep '12, 18:19 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - Aes records (for me)
    
    arent really 'anytime, anywhere' type of albums. Like I said, they require more of a focused listen and therefore I usually don't realize how much I like them until much later.
    
    theShipment @littlebirds | 27 Sep '12, 18:32 | X | ^ This | Reply
- You appear to know your shi(p)t so...
  
  Who is similar? I really like this album, but the only other 'rap' or whatever i've spent time with is stuff like Mos Def, Saul Williams, Buck 65. Where next in this vein, if you have any tips?
  
  Pharyngeal @theShipment | 27 Sep '12, 22:14 | X | ^ This | Reply
  - In general, 'abstract' hip hop
    
    is my least favorite of the veins. It can get corny VERY quickly. Aes is in a world of his own; his voice, lyrics, beat choice, themes and approach are all very unique. Sounds like you like poetry driven hip-hop so I may try out B Dolan?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf2sxN6vSQ4
    Lots of folks like Sage Francis as well but I think he strikes out way more than he hits. Some of the early Def Jux stuff would probably suit you but too many of people get stuck there.
    
    theShipment @Pharyngeal | 27 Sep '12, 22:57 | X | ^ This | Reply
    - If you are looking for like next steps after ^this type of stuff,
      
      then there are lots of different ways you could go.
      
      theShipment @theShipment | 27 Sep '12, 22:58 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - Since you mentioned Mos (who doesnt really fit in with those other names) I would maybe try out the new Killer Mike & El-P album for something new. Maybe some classic Gang Starr albums, maybe some EPMD, Biggy, Outkast, Pac, Cube, maybe some Tribe Called Quest... idk so many to name. Maybe just play this on loop for a few hours until you have the desire to listen to UGKs first 3 albums?
        http://drownedinsound.com/community/boards/music/4280400
        
        theShipment @theShipment | 27 Sep '12, 23:01 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Heh, I asked a few other places andI got recommended
        
        Killer Mike & El-P almost universally, cheers for the other recommendations, you seem to consistently deliver every time this subject comes up.
        
        Pharyngeal @theShipment | 28 Sep '12, 07:54 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        ,
        
        In addition to the theShipment's suggestions and if you like that verbose, semi-lucid flow, weirdish beats etc I would also suggest...
        
        Saafir - 'Boxcar Sessions'. One one of the first guys I heard really push things lyrically like that in the early 90's. Such a great album.
        
        LoDeck - 'Bash It'. Nasal white guy from NYC. Similar to Aesop Rock, also uses beats by Blockhead
        
        Edan - 'Primitive Plus'
        
        Maybe even a Dalek album or two.
        
        CHAIRMAN_LMAO @Pharyngeal | 28 Sep '12, 16:25 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        .
        
        Also, Cool Calm Pete 'Lost'.
        
        CHAIRMAN_LMAO @CHAIRMAN_LMAO | 28 Sep '12, 16:32 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Massive second on Saafir - amazing record
        
        Would also hugely recommend Organized Konfusion - in a similar vein (but with a bit more funk) All of their albums are mind blowing, but the first two in particular are pretty much untouchable.
        
        Total agree with Mr Shipment - a lot of 'abstract' hip hop can get old very quickly, but when its done right, its some of the best stuff going. These guys do it properly
        
        Dan_S @CHAIRMAN_LMAO | 28 Sep '12, 22:18 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Have never heard the Saafir record.
        
        Will rectify.
        
        Organized Konfusion is a really good call I think. Abstract(isn) lyricism but still grounded in trad hip hop values. Great call.
        
        Early Kool Keith/Ultramagnetic MCs would fit as well.
        
        theShipment @Dan_S | 28 Sep '12, 22:43 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Similar reasoning would see me add
        
        Anti-Pop Consortium, Myka 9, Blackalicious, Busdriver, Noah23, Solillaquists of Sound. And double-check that, having mentioned Mos, the guy's got Black Star covered...
        
        -dan- @theShipment | 28 Sep '12, 23:04 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        theShipment this'd this
    - If you're just gonna link to one B Dolan track
      
      make it this one, yeah? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKHf1YVATfk
      
      -dan- @theShipment | 28 Sep '12, 22:33 | X | ^ This | Reply
      - Hadn't heard this.
        
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mVsDAM7Gi8
        
        Hip hop is becoming more tolerant tbf. NOT ALL OF IT, of course, theres still so many issues, but there has been steps in the right direction over the last 5 years or so.
        
        theShipment @-dan- | 28 Sep '12, 23:04 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Yeah, I heard it through this article
        
        http://shadowplayfanzine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/transgender-imprisonment-case-exposes.html
        
        -dan- @theShipment | 28 Sep '12, 23:06 | X | ^ This | Reply
        
        Hip Hop, Beyond Beats and Rhymes doc
        
        is like 6 years old!
        
        theShipment @-dan- | 28 Sep '12, 23:11 | X | ^ This | Reply
Listened to this a lot the past couple of days

really is brilliant. Think it's my favourite of his already. Feels like his most intimate.
I hope he comes over here this winter.

ohgood | 27 Sep '12, 22:20 | X | ^ This | Reply
That interview Kyle did w aesop was really good,

forgot to mention

theShipment | 28 Sep '12, 08:49 | X | ^ This | Reply
I never got the deluxe edition with the bonus tracks

Did anyone else? Worth tracking the extras down?

Also, saw this on twitter the other day and loved it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2prZOKiQra8

vamos | 9 Nov '12, 10:42 | X | ^ This | Reply
- Amazing :)
  
  Hope it worked for her as well as it did for Camu.
  
  littlebirds @vamos | 9 Nov '12, 11:44 | X | ^ This | Reply
- :)
  
  IS HE COMING TO THE UK OR WHAT?
  
  hoping he comes to the TVOTR ATP
  
  ohgood @vamos | 9 Nov '12, 22:07 | X | ^ This | Reply

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