Replay: Week 1

by Seth Hover • 12/21/2006 at 06:17 PM

You: “What? A new weekly article?”
Me: “Yes. Now shut up and listen.”
Okay, so I’m no Dan Pourhadi, and this isn’t an opinion piece in the strictest sense of the word. Nevertheless, welcome to Replay, Macteens’ new audio blog. What is Replay, you ask? Well, to put it bluntly, it’s a list of awesome songs that you’d better listen to right now. To make it easier on you (and to provide a legal way of acquiring said songs), I’ll ever-so-graciously create an iMix of the week’s Playlist. I suppose I’m morally obligated to warn you against stealing music, so...uh...don’t. Don’t do it.
...Or you gonna get sued (famous last words).
The Songs
Jedi Mind Tricks - Heavenly Divine
The instrumentals in this song are good enough alone to put on the list, but Ikon’s vocals are amazing. He has a distinctly angry voice but he still delivers quick rhymes with diction that an English professor would have a hard time matching. Just Allah’s part is good too-he almost sounds like a younger-brother version of Ikon. That’s definitely not a bad thing, especially when they go into the final, line-to-line verse.
Lateef The Truthsayer - The Wreckoning
This song comes courtesy of MT forum moderator Wyatt (ikari). With DJ Shadow on production, I knew it’d be good-Lateef’s vocal style and lyrics provide an odd contrast to the post-apocalyptic, sparse beats. It almost seems like someone combined an already great-sounding instrumental and a complex battle rap out of boredom and accidentally created a great song.
A Tribe Called Quest - Buggin’ Out
Oh, come on. If you already listen to hip hop, I don’t need to justify this, but for those of you who don’t, just take a listen. A sweet bassline + Q-tip and Phife = classic song that’s aged well.
Mr. Lif f/ Murs - Murs Iz My Manager
It seems like people either love Def Jux (the record label that Mr. Lif is on) or hate it. Lif is one of my favorite MCs, and labelmates like Aesop Rock and Cannibal Ox don’t hurt...so if you don’t like Jux...shut up.
Anyway-like I said, Lif is awesome. Murs is awesome. Edan’s production is even better than his rhyming (which is no joke). It’s funky, it’s funny, it’s great. It’s also very Def Jux, so keep that in mind. If you like this, you’ll like other Jukies (see above).
Wyclef Jean - Apocalypse
Wyclef will always have a special place in my library...The Carnival was my first hip-hop album, but that’s not the only reason I like the album. It’s just really, really good. Apocalypse is a prime example of Clef’s great storytelling abilities-listen to Bubblegoose from the same album for more of the same excellent production and rhymes.
Aesop Rock - Save Yourself
Yes-more Def Jux. Aesop Rock has a different method of rhyme delivery than most-it’s more of a flowing ramble than a structured verse-chorus-repeat form. His verses stretch on to allow his thoughts to keep changing and moving. He’s got great lines ("Aesop Rock’s 12 Steps To Shut The Fuck Up Seminar” stuck) that keep you hooked in and make you want to listen to his songs over and over to catch every little detail he throws in.
If you like his style, you might also be partial to Kool Keith. I didn’t put him on the list because iTunes has a poor selection of his work. That and the fact that suggesting songs like “Girls Would U F*** Tonite” would get this column canned…
Eyedea & Abilities - Big Shots
Oh man! That song was in Tony Hawk! Yep, if you bought a consumer-level G4, this song might sound familiar. Now, listen to it-no pretending you can skate now. DJ Abilities lays down an awesome beat and a fat bassline for Eyedea to complain about ‘big shots’ and then flip-flops right into calling himself the same. Then it’s a good thing!
Gang Starr - Moment Of Truth
The Guru: Man. Legend. Killer MC. DJ Premier: Man. Legend. Killer producer. Combine the two and magic happens. ‘Nuff said.
Haiku D’Etat - Slower Traffic To The Right
Haiku D’Etat just never made it big. It’s too bad, because this album is great. Slower Traffic has a fun (if dumb) hook and great rhyming from every member, plus a cool jangly beat that carries it all the way through without getting stale.
Souls Of Mischief - ‘93 ‘Til Infinity
Yes, Souls Of Mischief. Why did I add this song? Because, duh! It’s awesome! It’s Souls Of Mischief! So what if all of their beats sound the same? The Hieroglyphics core crew is all here (except maybe Del) and they spit nonstop. You cannot dislike this song. Don’t even think about it.
Get the iMix on iTunes: Macteens presents: Replay Week 1 That about wraps up this week’s Replay. Next week, be prepared for something a little different. No hints!