Customer Reviews

Cypress Hill

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't believe anyone in their right mind would give this album anything less than 5 stars.

1) If you are a HIP HOP fan(not rock fan who ALSO likes "rap")
2) If you were actually alive when this came out(or at least old enough to ride a bike)
3) If you are an American(props to Euros keeping Hip Hop alive, but you guys have different taste)
4) And finally if you have actually listened to this album start to finish, 2 or 3 times...

...THEN YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS CYPRESS HILL'S BEST ALBUM EVER. STRATIGHT UP PRE-LOLAPALOOZA/MTV/CROSSOVER HIP HOP DOPENESS. Peace to you heads who were around when this joint dropped.

I was not expecting what I got when I picked up this CD. The only member of this crew that I was familiar with was Grandmixer Muggs, from his days with the 7A3. I knew he was a good D.J., but I was skeptical when I heard that he was producing this album. My fears were unfounded, though. Muggs provided this album with the freshest sounds that have ever come from the West Coast. His beats fit perfectly with B-Real's nasal delivery.

Another good thing about this record, that you don't find anymore with hip-hop albums, is that one talented producer handled the entire project, giving it a cohesive sound. A lot of albums nowadays have 10 or more different producers, so the record comes out disjointed. Not so with this one. I also like the fact that Grandmixer Muggs didn't choose obvious samples when making the beats. I mean, who would think of sampling "The Duke of Earl"? I can't really pick a favorite cut off this record, because the entire album is bombay. But the most memorable cut is "Latin Lingo". The beat is smoky and surreal,and the video was insane.

This was one of the best joints of '91, or any year for that matter. I'll just say, if you want a record that reminds you of what hip-hop was meant to be, and how it used to be, then "Cypress Hill" is the joint for you. But bring your own bong.

Back when Cypress Hill first started rapping, they utilized beats and lyrics in a way that only they could. But, after they started focusing on only the "weed" aspect of their music, they dropped off considerably. I don't recommend any of their newer albums, but this album is in a class all it's own. Definitely a must-own for any rap fan.

Cypress Hill's Debut Album (along with second album "Black Sunday") is their best album effort......After Virtually coming from nowhere to take a firm stranglehold on the then floundering Hip-Hop scene, which was lacking innovation, sleazy Lo-fi fat Beats with a distinctive sound all of their own (Courtesy of D.j Muggs) , coupled with rapper "B-Real's" latino-voiced pro-marijuana rhetoric, which was to prominently feature in all their albums, so peace to mi homies B-Real, Frost & Mellow Man Ace, mi homie Sen Dawg for background vocal hook ups & mix-master DJ Muggs for makin' beats so god damn funky! The song Pigs is pretty much an N.W.A.-post about politicaly hypocritical cops in South Central, Lynwood, Watts, Florence, South Gate where Cypress Hill grew up in, How I Could Just Kill A Man became a chronic classic from the sticky green smelly buddah tokin' crew, Hand On The Pump is 1 of my personal favorites of theirs and the 1st music vieo of theirs I've seen, and the song Stoned Is the Way of the Walk is a hard stoner joint that is just str8 up grimy.

Dr.Greenthumb's Soulja's best joints are *1, *2, *3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, *10, 11?, 12, 13, 14, 16 & 16.

Cypress Hill was a major breath of fresh air when they came out. They were rapping from a latinos perspective, they dropped beats that were more than dope, and wrote lyrics about everything including weed. You can't deny that as soon as you hear B-real, you know just who it is. I'd hesitate to call this the best album of theirs, but I like it just as much as "Black Sunday", "Temple Of Boom", and "Skull And Bones". Top tracks for me are "Pigs", "Hand On The Pump", "Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk", and "Born To Get Busy". It's all good though. It's a fact that in the summer of 1992, if I wasn't playing House Of Pain or the Beastie Boys, i was listening to Cypress Hill. Of course, I could pretty much say that now as well.

Still scorching years later, Cypress Hill's debut, despite having plenty of Gangster rap, is much more free, much more fun, and much more comical than the way too serious Gangsta Rap. Led by the funky, bass heavy, and creative sampling production of DJ Muggs, Cypress Hill leads you on a tale into the heart of LA and the Latino community. Ah who cares, it's just an awesome blend of thick bass, psychedelic sounds, funk guitar, Latin music, and infectious, crazy beats.

The only reason why I am giving this not quite a five star is the presence of some distracting samples, most likely the guitars on Pigs and Real Estate (the latter is still a great song, although the former I can't stand because of it, sorry), and the outro (which is basically a silly remix of Stoned is the Way of the Walk) is sort of "eh". If they would have stretched Born to Get Busy to a three minute length, that would have been much better. Also, Hole in the Head isn't AS good as the rest, but given how good the rest of the album is, it doesn't say that much. This is a classic album that still holds up after these years, so get it and light another. It's a rich album.

This cd is by far one of Cypress Hill's (CH's) best cds; in my opinion, second best to their "Black Sunday" album. However, I am partial as the "Black Sunday" album was the first of CH's that I had ever listened to... back when I was just a lad.

Anyway, the beats are traditional for them (if you have ever listened to any of their stuff); with a heavy bass sound projected from a woofer... along with the frequent "echo shouts" and sirens/screech sounds in the background. The vocals/raps are mainly projected from somewhat nasaly, but talented flow-er B-Beal.

While traditional, it is a style and sound that I have grown to greatly appreciate... no it is not your 2Pac; or even the current talent of somone like The Game for that matter... but it is what it is. If you have heard and liked any of CH's later stuff, I am sure you will enjoy this cd. If you are new to CH's music, perhaps you may find a better respect for them by listening to the "Black Sunday" cd first.

It's kind of weird for me to see such a group like Cypress Hill debut so long ago, that I wonder where has the time gone? Their self titled debut ranks as one of the top debuts in Hip Hop history. B-Real's nasal flow makes his vocals sound very unique here on the album. Then there is DJ Muggs, who shows his stellar production all throughout the album. Then there is Sen Dog (Mellow Man Ace's brother), who just sound hilarious to me, especially with his background vocals.

Throughout this album, the standouts are easy to pick out. The singles "How Could I Just Kill A Man" and "Hand On The Pump" are both great. Further on the album, you have the track "Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk". Muggs places a spin on the loud horns all on the track. In fact, Muggs' production helps a lot of the tracks standout. It works with Sen Dog on his solo track "Latin Lingo", and I believe that is him rhyming in Spanish on "Tres Equis". Everything comes together on "The Cypress Hill ****", as that is one of my favorite tracks from the group.

Only tracks that really didn't standout for me are "Psycobetabuckdown", and "Real Estate". Both tracks have an innovative Cypress Hill sound, but did absolutely nothing for me.

Cypress Hill's self titled album hold high regards to their longtime fan base. Many may consider this as their best album, and I have to agree. I also recommend you listen to their 1993 follow up album Black Sunday, as it follows the same route as this one. An album with excellent production and great concepts, this album is definitely worth a purchase to add in your collection. Peace.

Lyrics: A-
Production: A
Guest Appearances: N/A
Musical Vibes: B+

Top 5 Tracks:
1. The Cypress Hill ****
2. Hand On The Pump
3. How Could I Just Kill A Man
4. Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk
5. Tres Equis

Honorable Mention:
1. Born To Get Busy
2. Light Another

Cypress Hill's 1991 self titled debut is a very original, entertaining album the likes of which hip hop had never seen before. The group of Cuban MCs from Los Angeles had a style that was totally new to hip hop and proved to be pretty influential, and mostly from this album. "Cypress Hill" is full of weed smoking anthems, paranoid tales of ghetto violence, humor, and excellent production. The rappers B-Real and Sen Dog especially stand out, showing a distinct character from any other rappers in 1991. B-Real's high, nasal voice always sounds both funny and disturbed, and Sen's low gruff voice is the source of most of the yells and chants on the songs. DJ Muggs emerged on this album as one of rap's premier beatmakers, with a style as distinct and creatively original as the RZA or Pete Rock. His use of heavy pounding bass and slow drumbeats are coupled with often infrequent guitar licks and sampling. Overall "Cypress Hill" is one of the most unique and interesting rap albums from the early 90s, and I highly recommend it for the hip hop collection.

The album begins with the deliciously funky "Pigs," an anti-police statement with a looping guitar line and good verses from all parties. The classic song "How I Could Just Kill a Man" follows, the song that shot the group to superstardom. This song demonstrates their crazy style and Muggs's amazing beats, with its soaring synth line and horns. "Hand on the Pump" has a good chorus and similar instrumentals to the first song, and the chant-along "Hole in the Head" has deep bass and great verses. The upbeat smoking anthem "Light Another" allows B-Real to demonstrate a different flow, and the funny "The Phuncky Feel One" follows. "Real Estate" represents Los Angeles as only Cypress Hill does, and another pro-weed song, the excellent "Stoned Is the Way of the Walk," comes next. I love "Psychobetabuckdown," a threatening and head-spinning angry song. "Latin Lingo" represents their Cuban roots, and "The Funky Cypress Hill S..." is aptly titled. The horn heavy "Tres Equis" precedes the closer, the great "Born to Get Busy." Throughout the album, short tracks like "Ultraviolet Dreams," "Break It Up," and "Something for the Blunted" provide short, smoked out interludes of heavy Muggs beats.

In my opinion, this debut is Cypress Hill's finest work (if you like this also check out 1993's "Black Sunday"). Funny, lyrical, funky, musical, but most of all just entertaining and enjoyable, this album was very influential but somehow still sounds fresh and distinctive today. I suggest any hip hop fans pick this up, because they won't be disappointed.

This is the best hip-hop albumn ever. Period.