Customer Reviews

Ghetto Pop Life

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though OutKast recently took home 6 Grammy nods, including Album, Producer, and Record of the Year, it's easy to overlook the joys of indie-rap. And while Jemini is certainly a very good lyricist, he's no Aesop Rock, but when J fails to bring the heat (rarely, mind you), it's Danger Mouse who delivers some of the freshest beats you'll hear entering 2004.

DM drops a layered, complex, almost Basement Jaxx "Kish Kash"-era collage of sounds to the shifting, changing productions. "Born-A-MC" is filled with rising string and creshendos, "The Only One" using an early 70's guitar riff for a club-pulsating beat, while the sexy electro-funk of "Here We Go Again" sits nicely with the near-ballad of a song "I'ma DooMee".

Yet, when the heat clicks, jaws are dropped. "Copy Cats" is a brilliant sample-based satire, the dangerously underrated "Bush Boys" a thought-provoking yet still-hilarious take on the current state of affairs in America, while the comedic "Don't Do Drugs" and album highlight "Medieval" simply need to be heard to be believed. Production & lyrically - new watermarks for indie rap.

And any song that is as brilliant, short, and funny as the "Ghetto Pop Life (Intro)" garners two stars right there.

This is surprisingly accessible, yet also incredibly relistenable. Not a modern-day "Labor Days" or "Fantastic Damage" by any means, but this will no doubt be rocking off socks for years to come.

When listening to getto pop life there's no need to worry about skipping the 'next track' as they're all Bangers! When in an up beat mood this is the only CD you'll need. DM's impecable timing compliments Gemini's fresh style. A perfect combination for true Hip Hop. Feelin'! Respect, Purple Turkey...

Dangermouse did not impress me in the least bit with his Jay-Z meets The Beatles trip. HOWEVER, when I popped in 'Ghetto Pop Life' I instantly became a fan. His production is addictive and at times gorgeous [RJD2 watch ya nuts!!]. Jemini, not the most infectious lyricist ever to grace a mic, but the combination of his tough voice and Mouse's free base soundscapes provides us with one of the best combos and albums completed in the past 2-3 years. I loved it [minus a few filler tracks] and still play it on a constant basis. Cant wait for their next release.

This is a PERFECT album for a NEWBIE to the underground hip hop scene.

Cop it.

Okay just let me say this cd is a breath of fresh air!Dangermouse(the superproducer)and Jemini(the gifted one)are one of the best combinations in hip hop.Fresh beats and a charismatic flow from jemini.Many of you know of dangermouse from the Grey album but this production is all his own and there were no big labels twisting his arm to do it their way.Therefore the result was instant classic!

With that said I'm reading reviews talking about the Grey Album. This isn't that album so don't talk about it. Anyway. This album is on point with the beats. Dangermouse definitely did work on this one. With tracks like Taking Care of Business, Yoo Hoo, and Copy Cats, along with others makes this defintely one to add to the collection. The only real problem I have with this is that Jemini sounds too much like Sadat X to me, and if I was Sadat I'd be mad, but other than that this is a solid effort.

This album is just what hip-hop's about. It's got great cuts, good Mc's (including the cameo's) and is just a great package. I bought it kind of accidentally and I don't see it getting out of my cd player any time soon. (Except that there's a new Hieroglyphics album coming out on 10/7, which could put this album on a temporary backburner).

Realistically, this is the best new sound I've heard in a long time. Don't waste time reading reviews, buy this album. It will not disappoint.

This review was written before the phenonmenon known as the "Gray Album" existed and is based on the ORIGINAL Digipak CD, that has now become "out of print" and from what I've heard, is starting to become in short supply. I don't know anything about the "new" tracks, but I know they were available on LP as well as on an extra's disc that was sold through the label (and has like... 4 other songs on it...).

On an additional note, this CD has yet to "grow old" on me, and I stand by my original review, but would like to add that I have grown to love the song "Here We Go," and can also say that as a political song, "Bush Boys" is both intelligent and funny.

This was a quality find, a hip hop journey from the old skool to the new skool. Easily the best new release since the chronic 2001 in my eyes. Take Care of Business, Here we go again, Yoo-Hoo!, Omega Supreme, and Ghetto Pop Life would be great singles. DM and Jemini mix some classical, country, and rock samples to create a master class record. Where has Jemini been in the last 5 years?

Try to find the LP if you can for the amazing packaging.

if you like funky hip hop beats, dj shadow's big beats, talib kweli's thoughtfulness then you'll love this the intro is incredible but it for that and then listen to the rest you'll be blown away BUY IT!!!

The beats are sick. That is the best thing I can say about this album and since it is Dangermouse (Grey Album Fame) who produced this album I would expect no less. DM has an uncanny ability of finding some really amazing samples and throwing them into beats to craft something never heard before. The title track is a perfect example; DM samples some chanting harmonies that work perfect with the drums and creates a haunting track. Every track on this album is the result of some kind of crazy sample that is flipped perfectly into a beat that Jemini flows to perfectly. Jemini is not a terrific emcee but he is by now means a terrible emcee. He has his moments but when combined with Prince Po or J-Zone it is hard not to be upstaged. He does drop some knowledge on (...) and "Bush Boys". He's got the braggadocio of typical Brooklyn emcees and demonstrates it on "The Only One" and "Omega Supreme". If you are looking for an album that can be played in the club and for the backpackers, for the intelligent heads and the ones who could care less about the lyrics, you have found the right album and it is all thanks to Dangermouse spectacular auditory creations.

....the current war between EMI and online activists. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions already, have downloaded Danger Mouse's visionary "Grey Album" constructed entirely from cut-up samples of the Beatles' White Album and Jay-Z's vocal track from his Black Album. February 24, or "Grey Tuesday" will go down in history as a watershed moment in the development of music.

And that will no doubt catapault Danger Mouse into more excellent projects. But I say DM deserves some legitimate fan support, and this is a legal way to experience a cutting edge musical mind.