Customer Reviews

Float [Vinyl]

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Aesop Rock's debut, "Float", is nothing short of magical. Aesop's awe-inspiring rhymes, mixed with his overwhelmingly imaginative poetry, makes for a stunningly successful debut. His one-of-a-kind delivery is among the most unique and effective styles in the underground rap circuit. His lyrical flow has been called genius, even though he isn't a reader. Instead, he gathers his rhyme fuel from TV and movies. The fact that he has been rhyming since the age of eight couldn't hurt anything either. Aesop came from a musically diverse background, including music from all genres. He met up with Blockhead in 1994, and has continued to work with him to this day. Blockhead's beats are also very sweet, mostly stemming from the classical genre; trumpets, saxophones, and lots of creepy string arrangements. All of these things diversify Aesop from the rest of his peers. Other rappers are obviously influence by Aesop himself, as he has performed with a slew of other artists since this devastating debut; including the likes of Dose One (Anticon), Slug (Atmosphere), Mr. Lif, DJ Spooky, Cannibal Ox, El-P, Prefuse 73, Illogic, Omega One, and Murs, among many others.

If you've never heard Aesop's music before, this stuff will surprise you. If you are looking for hip-hop party beats and catchy choruses for your next dance party, look elsewhere. If you are into thought provoking rhymes, then this is for you. Some listeners of Aesop may claim that he spits out his rhymes with such density, detail and speed, that it's highly unlikely that your brain will be able to process the information at first listen. That is true for the most part; but you must keep listening. Upon further listening you experience revelations into the meaning of the lyrics, which is a great feeling. It seems funny to pick standout tracks, since your favorites will change as you listen to the album (that's a great thing), but here is goes: "Commencement at the Obedience Academy," "Big Bang," "I'll Be Ok," and "6B Panorama".

If you like rhymes that eke there way into your inner thoughts, do not sleep on Aesop's work. You will be disappointed that you waited so long to discover his talent, I know I was. I know it can be a bit pricey ($12 [used] as of right now), but it is truly worth every penny, if not more.

First and foremost, Aesop Rock is one of the most skilled songwriters period, hip hop or not, he is a genius. Beside that, he can rap like nobody else, he has mad talent. Each track on this album has obviously been completely thought through and exceptionally produced. Each track is unique, and each track is beautiful.

Deathguise has no authority writing a review for this album. He Obviously doesn't know anything about hip hop. How is someone from Kinston NC gonna tell a veteran MC from F###ing New York that his rap is for suburban richboys? How can someone who gave Beyonce's garbage four stars tell AesRock fans that they "dont know sh**"? How can he call himself a true hip-hop head while classifying true underground hip-hop as "a cross between metal and soft rock". He obviously doesn't know anything about anything. Get your sorry a## out of corporate mass produced garbage and wake up, if there is such a thing as nerd rap Aesop doen't have any near qualifications to be part of it, And shut your ignorant stupid a## up, you dumb motherf###er.

I wrote this review in a direct response to the blatently obnoxious review written by Deathguise. Apparently our boy Death is easily influenced by what is known as pop/commercial rap, and knows the slightest about hip hop as an art. Granted the old school cats he referenced are credible and forfathers of the hip hop movement. Other than that Death is simply trying to hold down artists w/ true talent. If you look at his other reviews he copy and pasted the same review for Slug, Sage, Sole, and Aesop. All four of those artists are a god send to the hip hop community, and hopefully will takeover the overly diluted mainstream hip hop culture.

Comparing AesopRock with the likes of Biggie, Rakim, KRS-One is not really making sense, not trying to be dissin' these "Heavyweights", when it comes to Lyrical content, Skills, flow and literacy Aesop is a Million Lightyears ahead besides these "mc's" are mainstream. This album is an epitomy of what indie/underground HipHop is and should be like, less focus on rhythmic beats and more attention on lyrical substance, This album is definitely one of my best I've imported thus far, an undisputed 5 star. I'ts really difficult to conjure up words to describe this masterpiece. If anyone ever said this album lacks imagination I'd buy a first classs flight ticket to the US and laugh at his/her face then fly back home happily knowing justice has been served. Best songs for me are "Commencement at the Obedience Academy" "Big Bang" "Basic Cable" "Fascination" "Oxygen" "Spare a Match" and "Attention Spare" /w Vast Aire to mention but a few. You can't be a "Super-human-hip-hop-head" if you don't cap this album. I live in South Africa and I went through a lot of trouble trying to get hold of this album. This should be a good enough reason. This album alone (My honest Opinion) catapulted AesopRock to where he is. Don't sleep on this MC. "Carelesly Cavorting" - Peace to all the heads around th World

This man... he's a crazy man. Crazy, I tell you, but not Kool Keith crazy. More like Rasputin. He's an alchemist, this man. He bewitches the peasants. He stands in the street like a mad bum and tells you things that sound at once obvious and revelatory, in a poetry that is absolutely mind twisting. His words are like deep warm shots from needles, and they keep coming and coming and coming until you're in a drug-addled haze, unable to walk straight. He's a weird man, taking the idea of slant rhyme and slant-concept to an extreme that I've never heard before. He makes the current sound timeless, and makes the obscure sound inaccessibly arcane and equally timeless. He does amazing things, this man.

Though its a close one between Labor days and Float, Float comes out victorious. One of the best underground lyrical albums in a long time, Aesop effortlessly spits intelligence over interesting beats. Definitly worth picking up all you hip hop heads out there.

I have listened to all of Aesop Rock's work and from what I've heard, I believe that this is Aesop at his best. Aesop and Blockhead combine their musical talents to the fullest to dish out another must have hip-hop masterpiece. Even if you own Labor Days, you still haven't seen the daylight until you've purchased Float.

If you looking for some of Aesop's earlier works - you've found it and you'll love it. As with all of his work, Aesop comes with great lyrics and produces most of his beats.
Aesop is a genius.

Also, there are great guest appearances by:
(Track 5) Slug (of Atmosphere)
(Track 14) Vast Aire (1/2 of Cannibal Oxe)
(Track 18) Doesone

The beats aren't the best that Aesop is capable of [and FYI when I say Aesop I am referring to Aesop Rock b/c there is another Aesop (no Rock though)who is part of the Living Legends], but how can you down a guy whose album is composed of 90% of his own beats.

.....is like no other out there. Everyone one out there in the main stream music world considers Aesop a bizarre white rapper with Def Jux. Beyond the sterotypical Eminem rapper, he is with the dopest crew ever to be created in hip hop and yet will never achieve their salvation and props they earn, the Living Legends. Aesop's beats ease your mind and put you in the state of mind that many wish they could travel to, and his lyrics and flow are so raw and rugged, combine the two and you'll see why Aesop has dope lyrical flow on the mic. Living Legends....Keep making music no matter what, your real fans will always stay true. Check out Grouch also!!!

this is a great cd, one of my favorites. it sounds great and the words got impact. i picked this one up out of the blue and was so pleasantly surprised , i had a seizure.