Depart from Me

Cage | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 7, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Def Jux
• ASIN: B0029ZUQ8K
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,414 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Four years ago, Chris Palko traded in the sex, drugs and ultraviolence of his early discography for serious and sombre cautionary tales on Hell's Winter. Follow-up album Depart From Me continues down this rocky road, creating a clever combination of personal songs delving into his past as a patient at Stony Lodge Mental Hospital, a decidedly important moment in the evolution of Cage, as well as some surprisingly creepy first person character studies of the mentally deranged.
The production, supplied by El-P, Blockhead, Aesop Rock, F. Sean and the late Camu Tao, is rock- and electronic-influenced hip-hop that fits Def Jux's musical mold while maintaining a more universally appealing sound. That might just be the indie rock choruses and guitar flourishes, though. Despite missteps like the cheap cheat of the serial killer disclaimer before lead single I Never Knew You and the senseless rambling that detracts from the banging beat and catchy chorus of Kick Rocks, Depart From Me is a cohesive album of dark hip hop from an MC in top form. --URB June 230, 2009

Depart From Me is a bold step for Cage, considering 2005's Hell's Winter turned some long-time fans sour after abandoning his drug-addled shock rap for sober and intense introspection. While casting out his demons, Cage veers further left, sonically. With much of the production handled by F. Sean (Hatebreed), Depart From Me is full of guitar-heavy, synthy, dark, and ominous soundscapes. Nothing Left to Say, a response to longtime collaborator and friend Camu Tao s passing, opens with a spoken-word intro before El-P launches into an industrial frenzy. Cage is still sick and twisted. I Never Knew You, slow and brooding, finds him stalking and strangling a woman. He does stray a little too far at times (the new-wavey Katie s Song and punky Kick Rocks ) but, for the most part, Depart From Me is a welcome progression. --XLR8R June 30, 2009

Cage's depressed, phlegmatic voice is at the center of the storm as Depart From Me boils and burns, with producers El-P and F. Sean Martin building an epic, propulsive squall of feedback, surf guitar, and programmed beats. The album includes odes to childhood trauma (Beat Kids), weight issues (Fat Kids Need an Anthem), and off-color jokes about dating underage girls (Teenage Hands). Even Nothing Left to Say, a magnificent tribute to the late, underappreciated MC-producer Camu Tao, is darkened by cynicism: The day you passed away people think you're checking your MySpace. --Spin.com, July 26, 2009

Product Description

DEFINITIVE JUX is proud to present 'Depart From Me' - the latest full-length album, from underground/indie-rap legend CAGE, aka CHRIS PALKO. The follow-up to "Hell's Winter?, his 2005 critically-acclaimed LP, "Depart From Me? continues Cage's musical saga of a no-holds-barred, brutally autobiographical journey through his past and present. Plagued by abuse, institutionalization, drugs, and violence throughout his life, these nightmarish experiences have permeated his art and defined the music he makes today. Cage's music is truly reflective of a reality far stranger than fiction. On "Depart From Me? Cage illuminates the struggles he's faced upon entering a world that continues to be a source of loss and confusion. He's helped along in this task with production by El-P, F. SEAN (HATEBREED), the late CAMU TAO and also AESOP ROCK.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Somber Genius Behind The Scatterbrain., July 8, 2009

By 

Brandon F. Billman "must not sleep; must warn... (Gilbert, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Depart from Me (Audio CD)

Cage Palko is back with his sophmore release on indie rap label, 'Def Jux'. Easily their most emotionally unpredictable artist, Cage slows down his flow a bit. A project that would be almost four years in the making; delivers what he calls his most personal lyrics to date.

'DFM' is more diverse than any previous releases, with production written primarily around live instruments. Upon first listen, alot of it reminded me of Beastie Boy's 'Check Your Head'. Only half of it though, the other half being more polished, dark, much like 'Movies for the Blind'.

I associate many of these artists with the early underground hip-hop movement, and while becoming more successful maintain a musical quality that far surpasses the norm. 'Hells Winter'(2005) really was a foot in the door for Cage, his lyrical delivery was fierce! He has less to prove here, some songs work better than others but the creative direction is credible. 'Depart From Me' is a Dope record !!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balance of Options, September 19, 2009

By 

Physical Evidence "Vincent Price" (Gallatin, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Depart from Me (Audio CD)

The long-awaited four years in the making follow-up to his 2005 duet on Def(initive)Jux(taposition)"Hell's Winter". Cage I believe is one of these artist you have to really sit down and listen too. Because his style changes from one album to another. Which isn't a bad thing, but when your in a world where people expect the samething (killing, money, sex ect) then you probably wouldn't get the respect you should. If you was to listen to a earlier album like perhaps "Movies for the Blind" you would probably ask if the man that did "Depart from Me" is the same dude. Believe me it is! Cage is a outcast from todays hip-hop artist meaning he didn't sell out to get where he is. If your that type of person that is into Gangster Rap then this album is not for you. People always seem to hate this statement I always make, but I do it anyhow and here it goes: 'Eminem copy his style from Cage (at least his earlier stuff)' So if you like a mix of hip-hop style then I think your love this album. Head over to [...] and download the free e.p from Cage title "I Never Knew You" and listen to a sample your get out of this album.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best yet!!!, July 16, 2009

By 

steven C. (haverhill ma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Depart from Me (Audio CD)

i been a cage fan since his beginning with agent orange and radiohead. we all grow up and change. cage style changed and hes not affraid to admit it. rapping about sex and drugs gets old. theres more to life and music. i loved hells winter but man this cd is amazing, i just got it and been playing it out nonstop. my fav song is captain bumout. i definetly recoomened this cd. fans of any indie scence or underground hiphop especially.