Decent review, but this album, although presented in metaphor, tells a very direct story with the death of his friend "Mu" being the catalyst. I'll just use the track numbers, not titles and give the simplest explanation of the arc as it reflects his life.. ( Not really an explanation of each song, he already did that, but story as I see it) 1. Moves to a barn in Washington to write this album and escape from people, but still nostalgic about LA. 2. What I got? I'm a failed visual artist and have to resort to what i knows, making another album. 3. Maybe being an artist is too much pretense. People are creative in different ways, so let's look forward and stop feeling old. Damn I feel old. . 4. But shit, this means being a part of the "scene" again with all these dorks playing around in a popularity contest. "I'll be over there." Gotta get this off my chest tho. 5. Anyways back to the barn, gotta finish the album. Is moving to the barn really the change I needed? I got my old synth, I got this. 6. Damn, it's Christmas. I'm a ghost out here. I think I miss my family. 7. How my brothers doin? Let's think of some funny stories. Lol, Fucking funny. Mu was like a brother...... shit. 8. Damn, I miss Mu. Can't let him go, sitting here in my car trying to convince myself to go in for help. Get out the car Ace. 9. Alright I'm here. Hey doc, "how do you stabilize after years of taking anti depressants.?" She tells me to get a cat. 10. Got a cat. Named him Kirby. Kirby is an asshole, but he's cool. 11. Questioning going to therapy. Remembering the breakdown. Yeah I need to go. 12. Back to the album... this is worth it right? You know what, fuck it, I'm an artist. I'm a good artist, I don't draw, but music definitely means something. This album is going to mean something. 13. Alright I'm close, is this falling apart? What else can go wrong now? Aw fuck, now there's a bobcat. Goddammit what else I gotta deal with? 14. I think I can accept Mu's death. I think I can finish this. We all die. 15. Finished. Maybe I should move back home. I think I'm going back east. Is that where I belong? Who the fuck knows anymore. I'm out. Take it or leave it, I just don't hear a disjointed album or arbitrary collection of songs. I hear where Ace had been these last few years, how he got there, how he got out and where he's going. Peace
I love this album, listened to it again and again, read through the lyrics a lot but the arc you described is awesome shows how well it all builds into a narrative, thanks for sharing
Aesop Rock was the first artist to teach me the true meaning of subjectivity and how it works in conjunction with the human brain's innate desire to make sense or put some order to everything it perceives. Everybody hears something differently. Even a single sentence can vary in meaning from person to person. The words that I choose to use are the ones that I feel get my point across the most directly, but depending on how you interpret those words you might derive a different meaning entirely. When we experience art, we project ourselves onto it. The more I type here the more you have to interpret, the more information you have towards the bigger picture that im trying to paint. Conversely the more I type, the more chances you have to project yourself and put your own spin on the words im saying. Whether you see some kind of deep meaning, you think im rambling or you think im a pretentious asshole sitting behind a keyboard flexing his vocabulary; it all has to do with you. I don't ever expect to fully know what Aesop Rock means. Just as I need to learn to accept the fact that no one will ever fully understand what I mean, especially with something as subjective as music. let people see what they want to see, give them a canvas their minds want to paint. The more attractive a person finds that canvas, the more successful and artist you will be.
I keep giving bad people good ideas... I keep giving bad people good ideas... I keep giving bad people good ideas... I keep giving bad people good ideas... I keep giving bad people good ideas...
My favorite Aesop album, i know that may be blasphemy to some fans but i think his sense of production has improved and i love how it's more personal and he pulls back the shroud of dense obscure lyrics a bit, although there are still plenty of those too.
fucking rad close, but it's more just pure Intuition. I'm an extreme extravert but Aesop is my favourite rapper for the intuitive thinking required to truly apply his perspectives
@@samadmuhammad4781 Yeah I love this album lyrically and narratively, I think it gets kneecapped in production though. Good, and interesting at points but not top tier.
I totally see what you mean about the beats. They are a bit clean and have a rigid structure. However, I think they fit his vocal style perfectly. Of course his vocals plus the blockhead beats were a match made in heaven, but some of the stuff produced by el-p (and other producers) were too busy and overwhelming. The beats on the impossible kid are funky enough to bop my head to, but leave enough space for his intricate rhyme style to shine through. Thank you for taking the time to review it.
Totally agree, I think Impossible Kids beats are groovy and give his vocals a lot of space, which his delivery and lyrics fill perfectly. This album is probably a 9/10 for me, I love pretty much every track. Theyre all groovy and unique and I enjoy all of them, Especially Dorks and Blood Sandwich.
Agreed, I think because Aesop self-produced this one, he gets a tad precious. With Blockhead's cuts, he rides the beat more, I feel, and they underscore the lyrics. Something about the symbiosis on this record gives it a muddled, almost washed out aesthetic.
+xscriberx It's Alex Pardee. I don't like any of his art. It's kind of childish. 14 year old's back cover of their maths jotter. Hip Hop albums are generally shit artwork.
I think it is fun to figure out his lyrics. After each listen it makes more sense. Most are not too hard to figure out, but when you do, it is amazing how clever he is at smithing words.
Hey Anthony have you heard of this obscure indie group called death grips? I know you hated all of their previous work but you should give there newest project a listens brosef
Lyricism doesn't necessarily make an artist better. His flow, rhythm, candence, catchiness, beats, and overall enjoyability isn't shit compared to other rappers. You aren't actually going to tell me you would rather listen to this than Kendrick Lamar's meaningful or even Lil Pump's meaningless music. Most people don't listen to music for the lyrics. That is why he isn't popular. Just lyrics is a speech. In order to make well-regarded music, you need to have a balance. This is why albums such as To Pimp a Butterfly and My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy are regarded as the best modern albums. 200 years ago music rarely ever had lyrics. Music has almost always been based off of the melody, in fact lyricism being a major part of music is a recent event. You also do not want your music to go over 98% of people's heads. I highly doubt you guys can decipher this, hell Anthony said he couldn't understand this. You were probably told he was a great lyricist. His topics really aren't that deep compared to other artists. Migos talking about making crack in every goddamn song is deeper than Aesop's lyrics. I am not saying I hate his music or anything, but he is far from the goat
@@bigblackhawk7176 And you just perfectly exemplified where, if you talk to much, people start to make it about themselves in a way; also ,if you say just enough, they get your concept. "Talking about making crack in every goddamn song" is deeper... TO YOU but, for a lot of people, Aes' openness about mental illness, reclusive and hermit natures, and back and forth willingness to change himself is eons deeper than "talking about making crack". I get it and to each his own, but you can't forsake one for the other with such a myriad of participants listening in.
this album was really accessible imo, i had no problems with it. the prod kinda reminds of something between danny brown's xxx and run the jewels, something that really appeals to me. lyrics are easy to understand but still with enough of those abstract, metaphorical lines only aes can drop. one of the year's best hip hop abums for sure, dope.
I found aesop from a guy in a chance the rapper facebook group talking about his album and I really enjoyed it because his style of rap/hip hop is so unique and his songs are so interestingly worded that during your first few listens you sorta have to treat it like a Shakespeare play and decode each sentence to fully understand what the hell he's rapping about. It's like one of those brain trainer apps but with awesome music instead of hard math questions.
Loved Aes since "Float". His lyrics were impressive back then and every album since has seen him improve lyrically, and in the cases where he's produced the records himself, improved as a producer. Dude's got a grasp on the English language that few can match.
Aes's records are some of the best, both of us were diagnosed with spectrum disorder (high functioning Asperger's) when we were young and a lot of his lyrics are meant to reflect the abstract jumpy thought process that someone like us goes through when we're trying to make sense of ourselves in life and it made me really drawn to his music.
This album is so fucking good. It took be a while to fully fall in love with it. Not only is Aesop an acquired taste, each album is each time he drops a new one. I started out only really loving Mystery Fish and Rings and Dorks, then I loved Blood Sandwich and Get out the Car, then I fully got Shrunk and Lotta Years. I still don't love every single track but who knows maybe in another few years I'll get there.
I am an AES fan but I love his music because you have to read into it. You have to re-listen to it. You have to have a really open mind when you listen to it. One of few MCs that really do this.
I think what most people fail to do is close their eyes while their listening to aesop rock. Too much sensory stimulation can cause you to miss the intricate details. It happens to me all the time, but if I close my eyes and listen to the song its almost as if I am him.
How isn't Mystery Fish in your FAVE TRACKS. The flow is impeccable along with his godly rhymesmithy (god I wish that was a real word) and his top notch wordplay and lyrics in general. It's Aesop in his prime. It's by far my favorite song of his (tied with the masterpiece Zero Dark Thirty). +theneedledrop
I've been in love with Impossible Kid because I can relate to it a lot after this particular year. I thought it was even better than Skelethon, there were more tracks that I liked, and they were all back to back to back. I particularly liked Rings, Supercell and Shrunk. I liked how his style took since Skelethon. All fair criticisms, the interesting thing about Aesop is that most aspects of his music is "you either love it or don't," but I tell anyone it's worth trying to appreciate. I was very satisfied with this album, Aes does it again.
+Backpacker 2 very different types of music. But I'd be curious to hear what you believe to be better of the two, with a name like "Backpacker," your surely unbiased opinion is very important to me.
I mean he has been in the game way longer than rocky, has a much MUCH larger vocabulary, has been consistently dropping quality albums for all of his career (which asap rocky arguably hasn't) and is just all around a more talented guy.
+TheSethcast Not all backpackers are like that. I'm certainly not. Music is entirely subjective, like what you like. Sure, I mainly listen to backpack rap but i'll fuck with anyone if I like it. Even some Drake and Asap.
Fully disagree with your criticism of his beats. They're great beats IMO. You criticize them as too rigid but I find value in their structure. I guarantee these well-structured beats will hold up better over time than 90% of the disposable flavor-of-the-month hip-pop crap that is so popular right now.
Aesop Rock will continue to be evaluated and listened to by fans as well as artists for 50 years. I think that's mainly because of his imagery, rhyme scheme, essentially his lyricism, but his beats definitely add alot.
I find his esoteric-ness very appealing and trendsetting. Almost like a juxtapose to mumble on the rap spectrum he creates a “meta” vibe just with the cryptic aspect itself, but he also delivers meaning that is clear-cut at certain times.
I strongly disagree on the production. I think it's great and I really enjoy this kind of style, much more than the overproduced crapfest of these recent years. Besides, it's really difficult to create a personal and distinct style and Aesop certainly has it.
I think there is a method to Aesop's production. This album had a very nostalgic NY beats undertone, though he leaves NY, seemingly... That being said, NY's style has never been overly complicated. Its about a smooth beat and a solid message. The hard sells for this album all have that. Still his complexity in telling a simple story. (Ruby '81, for example). I think he has developed a very specific influence in each project, he embraces. "Preservation" with Del, "Crooked" with Evil Nine, and HMM. He gets his real listeners, and keeps them guessing as to what else he is capable of. You can shoot me for this, but he is like hip-hop's Maynard.
don't think kirby is aesops brand new cat, he mentions how when it was 6 weeks it went on a slipper, and how its 15 now and taking prescription medicine, so I think he's had the cat for years
' 15 years of taking prescriptions / Shrink like "I don't know, maybe get a kitten" ' Aesop has been taking medication for his mental issues for 15 years, and it hasn't worked so a psychiatrist has recommended getting a kitten. The cat itself hasn't been on prescriptions for 15 years.
Big up for the acquired taste comment. I didn't used to like Aes very much (I only liked Zero Dark Thirty and Pigs at first, didn't even really love them), but as time went on he became one of my favorites. Great review. I also think a light 8 is reasonable for an unbiased review; I would've given it higher, but that's because I just love Aes so much
I'm in shock and awe of this album. I'm not a fan other than hearing him speckled here and here. That's until now. This album is a breath of fresh beach air. His style, lyricism and instrumentals combine to a hip hop heads dream. It's to rap fiends as pulp fiction is to movie lovers. I'm already buying the cd to go with the digital release because that's what you should do for and artists you love. I guess this album to me is like trying out a series like Twin Peaks on Netflix. Then binging and fanboying out.
I really love his production and beats on this record. He knows what he will flow well over and executes amazingly on this album. No features, produced it himself, and I can't stop listening to it. Aesop you killed it yet again. Lyrics are so fun to listen to.
The production is outstanding. Dorks, man one my favorite beats ever, same for Blood Sandwich and the way he weaves in the dj cuts makes you feel nostalgic like the song, Supercell gives you the eery feeling of a ghost, Tuff pure hip hop shit. The production is so hip hop while still being forward thinking
Great review.. I agree, the production could have been better, but lyrically it's very sophisticated and it's interesting to hear Aesop be so introspective...
I dunno how people are knocking the production. It's literally perfect and captures the essence of the subject of each song and is vintage hip-hop while still being forward.
Cslelvelc kflsclce I wrote this before I had really listened to the album that much. Right now, I like about every song suprisingly except dorks. I don't know why, but it just didn't click with me. My top favorite is either Defender, Blood Sandwich, or Supercell.
There are a lot of times that I disagree with your ratings when it comes to artists I already like, but its times like this when you turn me onto an artist I've never heard of and I instantly become a super fan, that I remember why I subscribed to the needle drop. aes is sick af
Loving this album, much easier to understand than his previous work (but I would agree if your a fan, you pick up on stuff that others don't) but still dense and cryptic enough to keep me coming back daily to find new meaning/jam out to the fresh, hard hitting beats. I'm impressed to see his style remain golden and wordsmithing at the absolute peak, much more personal than the previous records too
@@chuy7880 To be fair both TOBACCO and Aesop Rock are experimental/abstract artists so not everyone is gonna love it. At first I couldn't stand the production but it really grew on me after a while and now I can appreciate it. But I feel you
I really like his lyricism. You get the general grasp on the first listen but your understanding of the track increases with the number of listens. And the meaning can completely change from listen to listen
For me it's an 8/10 but Molecules is one of my favorites easily. Rings and Lazy Eye too. My least favorite is Water Tower but I like it. I think this is his second best album after None Shall Pass
Saw Aesop on his None Shall Pass tour, been a minute since I've listened to him but I think i'm gonna have to revisit him. This album is even promoted on Playstation Network, he's BACK!!!
The lyrics to the songs took a long time for me to understand. But like you said, the lyrics are more understandable. I only understand the ones I can relate to. That's what makes the album so great to me.
Its necessary to visit this album anually. Bomb ass album, bomb ass guy. The self-awarenessin this album is unmatched, he talks about his defensiveness using extreme symbolism, through extreme symbolism
The album is DOPE. That's my review. Also, to bring outsiders in to listen, especially to someone as acquired and complex as Aesrok, is refreshing and absolutely possible with tracks like Kirby and Rings.
Blood Sandwich, Water Towers, Dorks, Mystery Fish, Kirby and Lazy Eye are all of my favorites on his album. Strong 9 to a 10 for me and my favorite 2016 album next to Atrocity Exhibition.
Aesop Rock is incredibly brilliant, extremely complex and a metaphoric genius, but his music style is way too macabre for my liking about 90% dark and 10% hope.
I don't know if you've already done it, but a Run The Jewels review would be great! They're coming out with their 3rd album soon (hopefully this year) El-p is easily my favorite producer. Their beats are great, Mike and El really make the perfect combination. Not to mention, they made a cover of their own album in which the beats are totally made up of cat noises and every cent earned from that album (Meow The Jewels) goes to charity! Aesop is fucking great, his style is unique and symbolic I absolutely love it. Not enough people know about him though, same with RTJ.
No comments about the actual review or album... I found this album at second listen i didn't like as much. I came back day later & listened to more, then it was a lot better & i've listened to it many times a day since. Favorite song on the album is "Get out the car" Also the background video on youtube is cute, they did the whole shining with little figures lol
I already knew you liked Aesop. Still had to watch the whole thing, just to make sure you didn't say anything bad about my homie. Thanks for reinforcing my opinions Ant
Being Aesop Rock’s English teacher would be the greatest flex of all time.
Nah, you don't get taught that, you have the instinct and passion to acquire it.
Or Aesop Rock being your English teacher, both are big flexes 🤷♂️
@@bigl2996 he’s being all our English teachers
He wrote a song about how school brain washed him and made him quit art
Imagine being the gravel that aesop rock walks on, that would be the greatest flex of all time
Everytime i bring up Aesop Rock everyone always says "You mean ASAP ROCKY?" Like no nigga.
yep
+Addison Fifield this....
+Addison Fifield you cool dawg
Jordan Daley Didn't mean to come off pretentious.
+Addison Fifield
EVERY. FUCKING. TIME.
Aesop Rock is the Dark Souls of rap
This comment made me laugh so hard! I love it. :D
What a great way to describe Aesop Rock. I'm definitely using this.
@Moni Man love Peggy but nah Aes is Dark Souls. Peggy can be Elden Ring lmao
i cant discern what this means but i like it
DODGE ROLL THESE BARS BRO!🤣
If only Aesop Ferg's album was as good.
+Louis Nevers LOL its Fergie theres no Aesop in her name after she left Black Eyed Peace, get ur facts straight
+jabre12 that's some quality bait ya got there
+calvin borders bruh...really?
+jabre12 Hes combining asap ferg with Aesop Rock. mkay?
+jabre12 fuck i lost it so much
i want a kid rock- the impossible aesop album
That's hilarious
Edgar Allan Tone thank you for telling me
What if I just shit in a hat and gave it to you? Would that suffice?
Please no 🤣
Decent review, but this album, although presented in metaphor, tells a very direct story with the death of his friend "Mu" being the catalyst. I'll just use the track numbers, not titles and give the simplest explanation of the arc as it reflects his life.. ( Not really an explanation of each song, he already did that, but story as I see it)
1. Moves to a barn in Washington to write this album and escape from people, but still nostalgic about LA.
2. What I got? I'm a failed visual artist and have to resort to what i knows, making another album.
3. Maybe being an artist is too much pretense. People are creative in different ways, so let's look forward and stop feeling old. Damn I feel old.
.
4. But shit, this means being a part of the "scene" again with all these dorks playing around in a popularity contest. "I'll be over there." Gotta get this off my chest tho.
5. Anyways back to the barn, gotta finish the album. Is moving to the barn really the change I needed? I got my old synth, I got this.
6. Damn, it's Christmas. I'm a ghost out here. I think I miss my family.
7. How my brothers doin? Let's think of some funny stories. Lol, Fucking funny. Mu was like a brother...... shit.
8. Damn, I miss Mu. Can't let him go, sitting here in my car trying to convince myself to go in for help. Get out the car Ace.
9. Alright I'm here. Hey doc, "how do you stabilize after years of taking anti depressants.?" She tells me to get a cat.
10. Got a cat. Named him Kirby. Kirby is an asshole, but he's cool.
11. Questioning going to therapy. Remembering the breakdown. Yeah I need to go.
12. Back to the album... this is worth it right? You know what, fuck it, I'm an artist. I'm a good artist, I don't draw, but music definitely means something. This album is going to mean something.
13. Alright I'm close, is this falling apart? What else can go wrong now? Aw fuck, now there's a bobcat. Goddammit what else I gotta deal with?
14. I think I can accept Mu's death. I think I can finish this. We all die.
15. Finished. Maybe I should move back home. I think I'm going back east. Is that where I belong? Who the fuck knows anymore. I'm out.
Take it or leave it, I just don't hear a disjointed album or arbitrary collection of songs. I hear where Ace had been these last few years, how he got there, how he got out and where he's going. Peace
Bro this is a beautifully compiled explanation of this album. Very good sir.
Fantastic breakdown.
I love this album, listened to it again and again, read through the lyrics a lot but the arc you described is awesome shows how well it all builds into a narrative, thanks for sharing
i loved this
dude fuck yes
Aesop Rock was the first artist to teach me the true meaning of subjectivity and how it works in conjunction with the human brain's innate desire to make sense or put some order to everything it perceives. Everybody hears something differently. Even a single sentence can vary in meaning from person to person. The words that I choose to use are the ones that I feel get my point across the most directly, but depending on how you interpret those words you might derive a different meaning entirely.
When we experience art, we project ourselves onto it. The more I type here the more you have to interpret, the more information you have towards the bigger picture that im trying to paint. Conversely the more I type, the more chances you have to project yourself and put your own spin on the words im saying. Whether you see some kind of deep meaning, you think im rambling or you think im a pretentious asshole sitting behind a keyboard flexing his vocabulary; it all has to do with you.
I don't ever expect to fully know what Aesop Rock means. Just as I need to learn to accept the fact that no one will ever fully understand what I mean, especially with something as subjective as music. let people see what they want to see, give them a canvas their minds want to paint. The more attractive a person finds that canvas, the more successful and artist you will be.
9.8/10
ti interpret this as a top tier comment.
@@dysperdotted give it up. He wins.
Jon Lybeck i said i interpret this as a top tier comment so idk where you’re saying that aesop/the poster of this comment wins over... someone.
@@dysperdotted Mars wins.
A good game to play when you watch Anthonys reviews is to try to keep your mouse over his mustache the whole time.
Sounds like something Aesop would do
Aim for the cupids bow for extra points
I keep giving bad people good ideas...
I keep giving bad people good ideas...
I keep giving bad people good ideas...
I keep giving bad people good ideas...
I keep giving bad people good ideas...
being an Aesop, and rhymesayers fan i give this album an 11/10, i absolutely loved it, not a bad track on it.
Rhymesayers for life!
My favorite Aesop album, i know that may be blasphemy to some fans but i think his sense of production has improved and i love how it's more personal and he pulls back the shroud of dense obscure lyrics a bit, although there are still plenty of those too.
I agree about the production improving but Skelethons my personal favorite, I just love the material he spits about on that album
My favorite Aesop album is Malibu Ken
the new album is incredible
His production on his newest album is his best in my opinion
@@bluntedvegas702 malibu ken?
Aesop is introvert music
fucking rad close, but it's more just pure Intuition. I'm an extreme extravert but Aesop is my favourite rapper for the intuitive thinking required to truly apply his perspectives
- some clueless fucking moron
Misha you know art is subjective right?
aesop is music.*
@@rook7783 no
One of the best hip hop albums in the last 10 years.
The best
@@moresoulthanasockwithahole3493 no
@@samadmuhammad4781 Yeah I love this album lyrically and narratively, I think it gets kneecapped in production though. Good, and interesting at points but not top tier.
Easily.
Even Lupe whos a huge student of hip hop and one the goats himself thinks so.
Incredible album
@@incidentlyaniguana2193the production is phenomenal
so sad no one talk about the aesop rock album
I totally see what you mean about the beats. They are a bit clean and have a rigid structure. However, I think they fit his vocal style perfectly. Of course his vocals plus the blockhead beats were a match made in heaven, but some of the stuff produced by el-p (and other producers) were too busy and overwhelming.
The beats on the impossible kid are funky enough to bop my head to, but leave enough space for his intricate rhyme style to shine through.
Thank you for taking the time to review it.
Totally agree, I think Impossible Kids beats are groovy and give his vocals a lot of space, which his delivery and lyrics fill perfectly. This album is probably a 9/10 for me, I love pretty much every track. Theyre all groovy and unique and I enjoy all of them, Especially Dorks and Blood Sandwich.
Agreed, I think because Aesop self-produced this one, he gets a tad precious. With Blockhead's cuts, he rides the beat more, I feel, and they underscore the lyrics. Something about the symbiosis on this record gives it a muddled, almost washed out aesthetic.
Holy shit...I've heard about useful and relevant youtube comments, but had never spotted one in the wild.... Good on you, sir.
+Ryan olson Assuming you were talking about my comment, thank you very much!
100% this. Aesop managed to capture what made Blockhead such a great producer for him and went in his own direction with it.
WHERE THE FUCK IS THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE SOUNDTRACK REVIEW. IT'S BEEN OUT FOR A WHOLE 16 HOURS.
+moguls8600 Slacking so hard....I think he's given up on life...
That Rubiks cube was thee most perfect way to explain Aesop Rock. I love it haha
Thank you Anthony for introducing me to this absolutely fantastic album! Never heard of Aesop before and now I can't stop listen to him! You da best!
+DepDerp Check out Labor Days, Daylight EP and None Shall Pass. Those were also quite good (I prefer Daylight EP)
+Mark Hogan thank you bro! I will definitely check those out!
Love the album can listen to it from start to end. Some of his best work yet
+xscriberx Agree, this album is so good if i tried to talk about it here it'd be a full essay. Every track gets more fun with each listen.
Great album. Terrible cover.
*****
you obviously don't know who the artist was that drew this
+xscriberx It's Alex Pardee. I don't like any of his art. It's kind of childish. 14 year old's back cover of their maths jotter. Hip Hop albums are generally shit artwork.
+xscriberx such a stupid comment ^ about the artist
Doesn't Aesop have a Guinness World Record for his rap vocabulary?
Kate Moth not quite, he is technically the most wordy rapper of all time
Kate Moth Yes & also has a PHD in philosophy & literature :)
@@spvcs3615 fuckin nerd
Yep.
Jackson Hayes dumbass
I think it is fun to figure out his lyrics. After each listen it makes more sense. Most are not too hard to figure out, but when you do, it is amazing how clever he is at smithing words.
+Paul Nowlin I remmember seeing somewhere that he has one of the largest vocabularies of all rappers
I read that too. And beyond like famous authors and such.
He still holds the number one spot even ahead of Em and MF Doom or Lupe Fiasco.
Hey Anthony have you heard of this obscure indie group called death grips? I know you hated all of their previous work but you should give there newest project a listens brosef
+Ryan Flood dood their sick i been lissening to them for a year now i was a head of the wave. XD
@spadaschiavanesco WOOOOSH
Ryan Flood What? Boi he gave their first project a 10/10 and their second album a 8/10, he didn't hate them😂 Also their 4th album a 9/10.
WOOOOOSH
Leek Boi dang, got to it before I could 😂
BOTTOM PET NOW ANTNEE
MEOW ANKTEEN
+BigTimeReview zoofilia is illegal
+BigTimeReview bottomless pit is meh tbh
IPOD GIVEAWAY on my channel, check it out
+Damnson Alabanca bro, you're eh
best album of 2016 to me
Gordon Pyle me too
Same here
The Life Of Pablo
@@buttermilkjesus408 I liked TLOP but this is defiantly better
its abstract prose dude. It is what it is, he's a freaking master alive, living legend and the true G.O.A.T.
The best lyricist of all time.
Whoa there that honor is DOOM's
Mayor Zeus Aesop Rock >= DOOM
Lyricism doesn't necessarily make an artist better. His flow, rhythm, candence, catchiness, beats, and overall enjoyability isn't shit compared to other rappers. You aren't actually going to tell me you would rather listen to this than Kendrick Lamar's meaningful or even Lil Pump's meaningless music. Most people don't listen to music for the lyrics. That is why he isn't popular. Just lyrics is a speech. In order to make well-regarded music, you need to have a balance. This is why albums such as To Pimp a Butterfly and My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy are regarded as the best modern albums. 200 years ago music rarely ever had lyrics. Music has almost always been based off of the melody, in fact lyricism being a major part of music is a recent event. You also do not want your music to go over 98% of people's heads. I highly doubt you guys can decipher this, hell Anthony said he couldn't understand this. You were probably told he was a great lyricist. His topics really aren't that deep compared to other artists. Migos talking about making crack in every goddamn song is deeper than Aesop's lyrics. I am not saying I hate his music or anything, but he is far from the goat
@@bigblackhawk7176 And you just perfectly exemplified where, if you talk to much, people start to make it about themselves in a way; also ,if you say just enough, they get your concept. "Talking about making crack in every goddamn song" is deeper... TO YOU but, for a lot of people, Aes' openness about mental illness, reclusive and hermit natures, and back and forth willingness to change himself is eons deeper than "talking about making crack". I get it and to each his own, but you can't forsake one for the other with such a myriad of participants listening in.
this album was really accessible imo, i had no problems with it. the prod kinda reminds of something between danny brown's xxx and run the jewels, something that really appeals to me. lyrics are easy to understand but still with enough of those abstract, metaphorical lines only aes can drop. one of the year's best hip hop abums for sure, dope.
came before thumbnail loaded
you should see a doctor about that...
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
+Agent Froggy hahahahahahaha
Agent Froggy A
Skepta - Konnichiwa
James Blake - The colour in Anything
Kaytranada - 99.9%
Homeboy Sandman - Kindness for Weakness
Death Grips - Bottomless Pit
I found aesop from a guy in a chance the rapper facebook group talking about his album and I really enjoyed it because his style of rap/hip hop is so unique and his songs are so interestingly worded that during your first few listens you sorta have to treat it like a Shakespeare play and decode each sentence to fully understand what the hell he's rapping about. It's like one of those brain trainer apps but with awesome music instead of hard math questions.
This album, A Moon Shaped Pool, and Bottomless Pit have released so close together, it's like the music gods have smiled upon us all. Praise the Sun!
AND VIEWS!! WE EATIN OUT HERE FAM! /s
You should review James Blake's new album :)
+MacDoesIt it is, what can you say, tiiiiiiiimeleeeeeeess.
Mac does it
Loved Aes since "Float". His lyrics were impressive back then and every album since has seen him improve lyrically, and in the cases where he's produced the records himself, improved as a producer. Dude's got a grasp on the English language that few can match.
He is the best lyricist of all time IMO.
I partly agree but I think that’s not by a super far margin. Lots of contenders. Definitely the most creative
aesop and DOOM are my favourites
andre 3000, DOOM, el p, lupe are all in the convo
@@sunflowersamurai10 lupe isnt on that level, man....he is aight
@@umberto488 mural tho....
Aes's records are some of the best, both of us were diagnosed with spectrum disorder (high functioning Asperger's) when we were young and a lot of his lyrics are meant to reflect the abstract jumpy thought process that someone like us goes through when we're trying to make sense of ourselves in life and it made me really drawn to his music.
NEW DEATH GRIPS
NEW VEKTOR
NEW JAMES BLAKE
NEW ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE!!
+Wulbulbul Lubbubwublub ha
Yes!!!
+Connor Moritz SKEPTA
new NAILS
This album is so fucking good. It took be a while to fully fall in love with it. Not only is Aesop an acquired taste, each album is each time he drops a new one. I started out only really loving Mystery Fish and Rings and Dorks, then I loved Blood Sandwich and Get out the Car, then I fully got Shrunk and Lotta Years. I still don't love every single track but who knows maybe in another few years I'll get there.
Blood sandwich is my favorite track, just a great album.
+PersianSelection that song is just a fantastic testicle kick, love that song
Hell yes!!!!
I am an AES fan but I love his music because you have to read into it. You have to re-listen to it. You have to have a really open mind when you listen to it. One of few MCs that really do this.
I think what most people fail to do is close their eyes while their listening to aesop rock. Too much sensory stimulation can cause you to miss the intricate details. It happens to me all the time, but if I close my eyes and listen to the song its almost as if I am him.
How isn't Mystery Fish in your FAVE TRACKS. The flow is impeccable along with his godly rhymesmithy (god I wish that was a real word) and his top notch wordplay and lyrics in general. It's Aesop in his prime. It's by far my favorite song of his (tied with the masterpiece Zero Dark Thirty). +theneedledrop
this isn't death grips
+Ooga Blooga this is not my beautiful house
SKEPTA KONNICHIWA, PLS
SKEPTA - KONNICHIWA PLS
YES
+James O 5+/10 NEXT PLEASE
+James O it's aight, it's decent
thelsamar23 i think most of them are pretty sick but there are a few meh ones
Strong 6 light 7 from me
Review Skepta "konnichiwa"
+De Angelo He needs to do more grime reviews
UNDERGROUND UNDERDOG
UNDEROOS
Energy is 🔥
He is underground, but at this point definitely not an underdog.
lol he hasn't been an underdog since before his first album dropped
Big dog, big bite.
Analyzing this album for a class. Pray for me.
Review a Moon shaped pool by radio head
The DJ cut in Blood Sandwich is one the purest, blissful musical moments in hip hop.
"When you get all exact and algebraic, I'm reminded it's a racket not a rehabilitation" is the next line
I've been in love with Impossible Kid because I can relate to it a lot after this particular year. I thought it was even better than Skelethon, there were more tracks that I liked, and they were all back to back to back. I particularly liked Rings, Supercell and Shrunk. I liked how his style took since Skelethon. All fair criticisms, the interesting thing about Aesop is that most aspects of his music is "you either love it or don't," but I tell anyone it's worth trying to appreciate. I was very satisfied with this album, Aes does it again.
Aesop rock>asap rocky
nah
+TheSethcast fuck you mean nah
+Backpacker 2 very different types of music. But I'd be curious to hear what you believe to be better of the two, with a name like "Backpacker," your surely unbiased opinion is very important to me.
I mean he has been in the game way longer than rocky, has a much MUCH larger vocabulary, has been consistently dropping quality albums for all of his career (which asap rocky arguably hasn't) and is just all around a more talented guy.
+TheSethcast Not all backpackers are like that. I'm certainly not. Music is entirely subjective, like what you like. Sure, I mainly listen to backpack rap but i'll fuck with anyone if I like it. Even some Drake and Asap.
Haven't enjoyed a Sop project this much since LD, good stuff.
Fully disagree with your criticism of his beats. They're great beats IMO. You criticize them as too rigid but I find value in their structure. I guarantee these well-structured beats will hold up better over time than 90% of the disposable flavor-of-the-month hip-pop crap that is so popular right now.
Aesop Rock will continue to be evaluated and listened to by fans as well as artists for 50 years. I think that's mainly because of his imagery, rhyme scheme, essentially his lyricism, but his beats definitely add alot.
I find his esoteric-ness very appealing and trendsetting. Almost like a juxtapose to mumble on the rap spectrum he creates a “meta” vibe just with the cryptic aspect itself, but he also delivers meaning that is clear-cut at certain times.
I strongly disagree on the production. I think it's great and I really enjoy this kind of style, much more than the overproduced crapfest of these recent years. Besides, it's really difficult to create a personal and distinct style and Aesop certainly has it.
I think there is a method to Aesop's production. This album had a very nostalgic NY beats undertone, though he leaves NY, seemingly... That being said, NY's style has never been overly complicated. Its about a smooth beat and a solid message. The hard sells for this album all have that. Still his complexity in telling a simple story. (Ruby '81, for example). I think he has developed a very specific influence in each project, he embraces. "Preservation" with Del, "Crooked" with Evil Nine, and HMM. He gets his real listeners, and keeps them guessing as to what else he is capable of. You can shoot me for this, but he is like hip-hop's Maynard.
don't think kirby is aesops brand new cat, he mentions how when it was 6 weeks it went on a slipper, and how its 15 now and taking prescription medicine, so I think he's had the cat for years
' 15 years of taking prescriptions / Shrink like "I don't know, maybe get a kitten" '
Aesop has been taking medication for his mental issues for 15 years, and it hasn't worked so a psychiatrist has recommended getting a kitten. The cat itself hasn't been on prescriptions for 15 years.
Big up for the acquired taste comment. I didn't used to like Aes very much (I only liked Zero Dark Thirty and Pigs at first, didn't even really love them), but as time went on he became one of my favorites. Great review. I also think a light 8 is reasonable for an unbiased review; I would've given it higher, but that's because I just love Aes so much
One person feels suicidal every time you upload a video.
Well, that's a depressing thought.
Giraffen Benji it's working...
Kaileidoscope Holy fuck!
I'm in shock and awe of this album. I'm not a fan other than hearing him speckled here and here. That's until now. This album is a breath of fresh beach air. His style, lyricism and instrumentals combine to a hip hop heads dream. It's to rap fiends as pulp fiction is to movie lovers.
I'm already buying the cd to go with the digital release because that's what you should do for and artists you love. I guess this album to me is like trying out a series like Twin Peaks on Netflix. Then binging and fanboying out.
WHAT DOES IT MEANTHONY
I really love his production and beats on this record. He knows what he will flow well over and executes amazingly on this album. No features, produced it himself, and I can't stop listening to it. Aesop you killed it yet again. Lyrics are so fun to listen to.
The production is outstanding. Dorks, man one my favorite beats ever, same for Blood Sandwich and the way he weaves in the dj cuts makes you feel nostalgic like the song, Supercell gives you the eery feeling of a ghost, Tuff pure hip hop shit. The production is so hip hop while still being forward thinking
You live another day fantano....
Great review.. I agree, the production could have been better, but lyrically it's very sophisticated and it's interesting to hear Aesop be so introspective...
I dunno how people are knocking the production. It's literally perfect and captures the essence of the subject of each song and is vintage hip-hop while still being forward.
I think "Lotta Years" is my favorite track on Impossible Kid.
Uncluded mine is definately Rings. the symbolism and meaning in the lyrics are INSANE. but, just going off beat/flow, Dorks is my favorite
Cslelvelc kflsclce I wrote this before I had really listened to the album that much. Right now, I like about every song suprisingly except dorks. I don't know why, but it just didn't click with me. My top favorite is either Defender, Blood Sandwich, or Supercell.
Blood Sandwich, Kirby or shrunk. Can´t decide
Lazy Eye was my fave
@@cslelvelckflsclce4415 Rings is dense as fuck. Love that track. Love the whole album, but yeah, Rings is just brilliant.
There are a lot of times that I disagree with your ratings when it comes to artists I already like, but its times like this when you turn me onto an artist I've never heard of and I instantly become a super fan, that I remember why I subscribed to the needle drop. aes is sick af
Death Grips, James Blake, ANOHNI, Vektor, Radiohead. Get to work, Fantanthony!
Loving this album, much easier to understand than his previous work (but I would agree if your a fan, you pick up on stuff that others don't) but still dense and cryptic enough to keep me coming back daily to find new meaning/jam out to the fresh, hard hitting beats. I'm impressed to see his style remain golden and wordsmithing at the absolute peak, much more personal than the previous records too
Liked the review until the 8/10 rating. At least a 9. I give it a 10 tbh. I've listened to it about 100 times, it really needs digested fully.
Best production effort since Felt 3, IMO best lyrical content since None Shall Pass. Is it his best.. Idfk but I know I like it
ill buy anything aesop rock. smash that motherfuckin like button if you agree
Except malibu ken, fuck that production. I'd rather listen to an a capella album
@@chuy7880 To be fair both TOBACCO and Aesop Rock are experimental/abstract artists so not everyone is gonna love it. At first I couldn't stand the production but it really grew on me after a while and now I can appreciate it. But I feel you
I really like his lyricism. You get the general grasp on the first listen but your understanding of the track increases with the number of listens. And the meaning can completely change from listen to listen
WHERE IS BOTTOMLESS PIT YOU MELON???
***** This is my face.
For me it's an 8/10 but Molecules is one of my favorites easily. Rings and Lazy Eye too. My least favorite is Water Tower but I like it. I think this is his second best album after None Shall Pass
KONNICHIWA
By now you should know I hate waitin, I got no patience!
Saw Aesop on his None Shall Pass tour, been a minute since I've listened to him but I think i'm gonna have to revisit him.
This album is even promoted on Playstation Network, he's BACK!!!
WAITING FOR DA MC RIDEEEEEE
The lyrics to the songs took a long time for me to understand. But like you said, the lyrics are more understandable. I only understand the ones I can relate to. That's what makes the album so great to me.
Aesop is one of the GOAT lyricists
Its necessary to visit this album anually. Bomb ass album, bomb ass guy. The self-awarenessin this album is unmatched, he talks about his defensiveness using extreme symbolism, through extreme symbolism
REVIEW DAYDREAMING YOU'VE ALREADY HAD 20 MINUTES TO LISTEN TO IT.
he say he'd review the album on the vid's comment
The album is DOPE. That's my review. Also, to bring outsiders in to listen, especially to someone as acquired and complex as Aesrok, is refreshing and absolutely possible with tracks like Kirby and Rings.
Good an 8. The underground stans won't cut off your head.....but seriously this album is nice.
Blood Sandwich, Water Towers, Dorks, Mystery Fish, Kirby and Lazy Eye are all of my favorites on his album. Strong 9 to a 10 for me and my favorite 2016 album next to Atrocity Exhibition.
and DEFENDER
Aesop Rock is incredibly brilliant, extremely complex and a metaphoric genius, but his music style is way too macabre for my liking about 90% dark and 10% hope.
Up next... Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool ALBUM REVIEW
Ashamed to say I've never heard of Aesop Rock before this video but after constantly listening to him, I've become such a huge fan to him!
Aesop Rock might be the Immanuel Kant of hip hop
I don't know if you've already done it, but a Run The Jewels review would be great! They're coming out with their 3rd album soon (hopefully this year) El-p is easily my favorite producer. Their beats are great, Mike and El really make the perfect combination. Not to mention, they made a cover of their own album in which the beats are totally made up of cat noises and every cent earned from that album (Meow The Jewels) goes to charity! Aesop is fucking great, his style is unique and symbolic I absolutely love it. Not enough people know about him though, same with RTJ.
He's actually reviewed them well! You can search for it and find itm
I actually looked for it right after I finished this!! Thank you!
I think rtj is pretty well known by now and aesop had probably the biggest boost when none shall pass dropped.
badthony greenscreentano
This has been a great Review. It's about time I got one of those from you.
No comments about the actual review or album... I found this album at second listen i didn't like as much. I came back day later & listened to more, then it was a lot better & i've listened to it many times a day since. Favorite song on the album is "Get out the car" Also the background video on youtube is cute, they did the whole shining with little figures lol
This is a great review, I’ve gone back to rewatch it several times over the years: feeling a strong 9 to a 10 on this review
REVIEW JAMES BLAKE - THE COLOUR IN ANYTHING!!!
RIGHT, he's taking wayyy too long. if it was a new Death Grips release, he'd have been on it!
Great album, but toooooo loooooong.
Got this album in the mail 3 years ago today. Decided to put it back on and give it another listen 😁
The new Vektor record is out! When is the review coming up? Or are you taking a couple of days off to fully digest the record?
What genre is it? I want to look into it.
Metal.
+Brandon Gibson It's progressive thrash metal! Fantastic stuff.
This album was a damn masterpiece. The word structure and lyrics make Shakespeare seem very simple.
Hey Anthony, what ya doing Anthony, what ya doing there?
But solving the almost annoyingly complex and puzzling esoteric Thousand quadrant Rubics cubes is the fun part
I already knew you liked Aesop. Still had to watch the whole thing, just to make sure you didn't say anything bad about my homie. Thanks for reinforcing my opinions Ant