Customer Reviews

Back 2 Base X

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I started out as a huge (hed)p.e. fan. I was in high school when I discovered the self-titled album, and as the rap-rock trend was rising, it seemed like the best thing since sliced bread. (hed)p.e. had aspects of their music that other like-minded groups such as Limp Bizkit and Crazy Town simply could not pull off. At times they were rough, dirty and in your face. Other times, they were chilled, cool and introspective. Truly a multifaceted band, which was hard to come by in the genre. Then "Broke" follows, and is essentially an improvement over the seemingly perfect debut. A few years pass, the band loses some members, and releases the mixed "Blackout." Soon, the band loses even more members, loses their record deal and retaliate by releasing an album so vulgar it's annoying, by the name of "Only In Amerika."

I told myself that after "Only In Amerika" I was done with this band. I still stand firm to this day that that album was a complete waste. A band who once possessed such talent and diversity and had such a wild and charismatic frontman were becoming a parody of themselves. Well, with "Back To Base X," the boys seem to be trying a little harder to reclaim the glory days. This time, they are sharing the same record label as the Kottonmouth Kings, and the influence shows, as this is a much more laid back affair than the last. "Norvus Ordos *litorus" and "White Collars" are high energy rockers that sit well with funky tunes like "Listen" and "Sophia" and have reminded me of why I came to love this band in the first place. "Beware Do We Go" is probably the most accessible and fun of the bunch, while the single "Get Ready" falls short of getting that job done. "Peer Pressure" is a short little joke-song that is a bit pointless, but a bit funny at the same time, and shows the band not taking themselves as seriously as they did on the last record. In fact, overall, I'd have to say this is a pretty solid effort. Almost every song is good, and the few that aren't so hot don't really drag the listen down too much. Sure, the production is a little thin and the musicianship still leaves a bit to be desired, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. I'm glad I gave these guys a second chance, because with "Back To Base X," it sounds like they care about putting something worthwhile out there. Hopefully they can keep up this pace before they fade into oblivion with the bands they once shared the genre with.

From track 1 to track 13 its an example of hed p.e. at their best. I really liked only in amerika and I wouldn't trash that album the obscenity made me love it even more. Most people consider Broke their best album and I think this album is a lot simular to that album with a little more reggae to it. The CD is basically wat the title is they made tracks back from the original days of Church Of Realaties. And this has wat they have become developing threw all their music. Blackout was just an average album in my oppinion and it had good songs but not threw and threw like this one, their self titled album was a lot better then Blackout but ne way ya another hed classic.

I've been a big fan of this mob since their first two records blew me away in the late 90's with a very original sound and a very intelligent lyric content. Then came 'broke', which was very good, 'blackout', which was also pretty good although not as strong perhaps as their first stuff, and then the other one a couple of years ago (to sum up how excited about that I was).

Now comes this record which I feel captures the sort of intelligent thought they had on their selftitled album (I still consider their best) but has the agression of the other one (only in amerika) - and it works. It's got a very lively sound to it, MCUD's vocals are great as usual, lots of energy and gets his point across clearly despte the level of agression, the music is fun and as they have done many times they come up with a unique sound again. Hed Pe are very good at changing the pace of songs and this record they do it masterfully.

Only issue is the track selection - I don't think the first half of the record, except track 4 'white collars' is as good as the second half, so can easily start listening to it and tune out.

favorites are: -'white collars': rocking track with strong lyrics and lively chorus
-'Dayz of war': Hed PE at their absolute best, reminiscent (although not sounding like) the Machine Mix of their classic 'Darky' with what starts life as a generic rap track that builds into a violent chorus with powerful use of an unorthadox choir arrangement - very clever song and sound.
everything from track 8 onwards I found enjoyable also.

Have given it 5 stars as a fan of the band (if that helps clarify it) as a record from them I really enjoyed.

But still lacks the potential that hed p.e. could accomplish there first album rocked! i was addicted to my first listen the second album grew to be a top favorite for many infact most people enjoy it better than the first then blackout which wasnt that bad but compared to the first 2 it felt like hell then only in amerika now what were they thinking? they probably lost many fans because of that album. Now "Back 2 Base X" well there definately heading back to the right roots but it just hasnt clicked all the way yet! i do like around 5 songs on the album but some of them show they still are stuck in this "Only In Amerika" mind set but its worth checking out if your a Hed p.e. fan!

Back 2 Base X is an eclectic mix of styles that keeps the CD fresh for days... you just can't get sick of the sound when it's so diverse.

For (hed)p.e., it seems, each album is a new beginning. Back 2 Base X is much more accessible to listeners than the previous album. You can tell the band is comfortable being out from under a major label, and no longer needs to flaunt it - indeed, you can hear the band having a good time like you haven't hear since Broke.

While many styles are brought into play on this album, they blend in such a way that you will not notice, or care, by the second listen. This is a must have.

Let me start off by saying the thing I love about HED p.e is how versatile they are. I'm confident they could play any kind of music and do it well. They can mix different genres of music with absolute perfection. I've been a fan of HED p.e. since Church of Realities, and I have loved every HED release since. Now let's talk about Back to the base x. This is without a doubt the most diverse HED p.e. cd yet. In my opinion this cd was better than the new Kotton Mouth Kings cd. Don't get me wrong I'm a Kotton Mouth Kings fan, but HED is a much more talented band. I would also like to say to all of those so called HED p.e. fans who came crawling back to this cd you should be ashamed of yourselves. True fans stick with bands through the thick and the thin. If a band you really like brings out a cd you don't like you don't talk bad about it, that's not how you show support. What you do is keep your mouth shut and wait for the bands next release. I'll be honest Only in Amerika's lryics weren't brilliant, but it was still a fun pump you up album. All you so called fans need to know how to really support a band you are "supposed" to have loved before. All the true fans pick Back to the base x up it is yet another great ablum from a great band.

So the rapcore (Or as they call themselves, G-Punk) unit has come back around to release their latest album, through their new label Suburban Noize. So what does this mean to me ? I mean, Broke was a solid album, but that was almost 6 years ago and they have since released two lackluster discs (2003's "Blackout" & 2005's "Only In Amerika"), toured with no one significant and seemingly dropped off of most peoples radars. So, a new label, a new vibe and a new chance. Another disappointment ? Surprisingly, not so much. This would have to be the first fairly solid disc since "Broke". And although it doesnt hold up to "Broke" or "Hed P.E.", it is still a pinch of fresh air. The first actual track, "Novus Ordus Clitorus" is a straight forward hip-hop track with fair traces of lounge-ish piano rolls, which holds its own as far as the album goes. The next two slices, "Lock And Load" & "White Collars" are fairly catchy heavy punk (I now see a fit for the G-Punk label) tracks with a fair mix of rapping and clean/yelled vocals to accompany. The follow-up track, "Get Ready" (which is the first single from the album) takes a bit of salt to digest, but is fairly enjoyable behind the occasional annoying high pitched yell from Jahred, which just doesnt sound natural. Next we have "Sophia", the first 'ballad' off the disc, which mixes up the previously heard heavy punk sound with an odd accordian/reggae mixture rising through some of the verses. It does work, strangely enough however. "Peer Pressure" is the 45 second irritating, childish punk track (I think they may have seen that too and thus why it only lasts as long as it does) which is followed by the second 'ballad' "Beware Do We Go", which is easily the most likeable track on the album. I'd really like to see it turn into a single, as I think it has good radio potential. The three following tracks, "Daze Or War", "Sweetchops" & "Soitbe" flow through but are easily forgettable. Then comes the second to last track on the album, "Lets Ride", which switches off nicely from melodic rap rock to a fairly harsh chorus and stands well. Reminds me how (Hed) is one of the few bands who I will let get away with childish angsty lyrics at times. The album closes with a fairly forgettable funky reggae track "The Chosen One". Overall, although it doesnt really hold the direction I wish (Hed) would go in, I'll let it pass as it did leave a much better taste in my mouth than the last two. So, we'll see what the future has in store for these lads.

There are much better Hed disks few good songs, and far better than blackout, but overall I would pass. OMG!!! No he didnt

this cd is different from every other cd hed pe has put out. it sounds like an old school 70's punk album with some rapping mixed in. however, this makes the this cd great. hed pe is not afraid to change their sound and try different things. in fact, all of there cd's have a different sound. they are not like nickelback where all their cd's and songs sound the same. they are always changing and this cd is a great example. every song is great and this cd is constantly playing in my cd player, just like every other hed pe cd.

First of all, I really like this cd. I wanted to give it a few weeks before I wrote a review so the music could sink in a little bit. After being signed to the Kottonmouth Kings record label, Hed has been able to shake off the anger of the big record company trying to sell them out and the aftermath of that which encompassed their last cd.

Back to Base X has a feeling of contentment to it that I haven't heard in their music since broke. It sounds like they are really enjoying what they are doing and because of that, they are putting out quality material. Track 2 Novus Ordus Clitorus and track 5: Get Ready are reminicent of old material like Firsty from their self-titled album. But they also lean more toward rap in track 11: so it be and track 12: lets ride. Tracks 1, 6 and 8 lean more toward a softer hed pe, and are great mix-ups to change the flow of the cd.

Overall, I think that this cd can hold its own against hed's first two major releases, which are the highlight of the bands existence. I hope that they can keep this going, this band has always been something special because of their unique personalities.

Buy it and support small time bands who are in it for the music!!!