(Definitive Jux)
After releasing four full-length albums, the last of which was his Def Jux debut, , Aesop Rock returns to feed the hunger of his cult following with .
Aesop decided to take matters into his own hands, literally, by producing the majority of the album himself. While obviously learning a thing or two from the famously unorthodox production of labelmate El-P, Aesop effectively takes that style and spins it into something that is wholly his own. This is quite successful in \Kill The Messenger,"" where Aesop spits his brand of braggadocio over a head-nodding beat whose multitude of sounds are in competition over face time.
Of course, Aesop Rock is best known for his eccentric lyrics and delivery, not his production. Though trying to make total sense of his rapid-fire, scatterbrained lyrics while still keeping an ear on the dense production is enough to drive even the most attentive listener mad. The total sound of is fluid and optimal for both the passive listener and the beat junkie. This makes perfect sense, as lots of his listeners are desirous enough to download his music in record numbers, yet do not dig deep enough into the lyrics to warrant digging deep into their pockets for a purchase.
As it is, Definitive Jux has struck again. What has become the most well known label in the underground has done so with artists such as Aesop Rock making music that they want to make. With a well-synthesized blend of thick production and even thicker vocals, will not just dig a niche, it will blow up and leave cavities.
