Customer Reviews

Insomnia

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

 

 

With their third album in a two year period, one would expect (hed)p.e., a band who arguably got left behind when rap-rock died, to sound dire and weak by this point. But the truth is, with "Insomnia," their sixth album, they are actually starting to sound better and fresher than they have in years. Despite the fact that some of Jared's lyrics still bask in cheesiness and today's band just can't live up to the musicianship of previous line-ups of the band's past, at least it doesn't sound like it was recorded in a basement ("Back To Base X") or try to justify it's existence by spewing as many swear words as possible ("Only In Amerika"). That means that "Insomnia" is at least the best release (hed)p.e. have come up with since becoming a semi-indie band.

Make no mistake, if you weren't a (hed)p.e. fan before, this isn't going to change your mind. And if you are expecting the band to expand their sound and grow, you might as well turn around and walk away. If anything, "Insomnia" does a nice job of combining all elements of (hed)'s music, both past and present. "Walk On By" is hands down the best (hed)p.e. song since the days of "Broke," while "Habeus" and "Suffa" improve upon the down and dirty, lo-fi style of the past two albums. There are plenty of political undertones carried through the album, with various soundbites popping up between songs to keep up the concept and beat the message over the listener's head. Although the band who penned "Crazy Legs" isn't the type you want, nor expect to get political, songs like "Tienanmen Squared" and "Atlantis A.D." are actually quite interesting and give the album a little more weight and substance than the rest of the band's career. Also of note is "Children," which spins Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" on it's head, and also becomes one of the most satisfying tracks on the album.

All compliments aside, there are moments where this album reaches into the realm of the embarassing, which seems to be a modern (hed)p.e. curse. "Come Ova 2 Nite" is as cheesy as it gets, and "Game Over" brings back bad memories of "Only In Amerika." Even still, "Insomnia" is a great album that should please the majority of the fanbase. Granted, it's not the most tasteful or original piece of music out there, but if there ever was a band towards the end of the millennium who made rap-rock fun and credible, it was (hed)p.e., and it's a legacy that they don't appear to be letting go anytime soon.

As a long time fan of Hed pe's music from there first album "Church of Realities," and from seeing them live for the first time in 1998 opening for Soulfly in Chicago,this band has never gotten the credit or recognition they deserve. Their latest album "Insomnia" blew me away the first time I listened to it. This band continues to reinvent themselves in a way that they stay true to their fan base as well as keepin it real from when they formed in the early to mid 90's. From all the cross-over rap/rock/hop-hop/metal, this band has been the most unique from the start. It is rare these days to find a band such as Hed pe that continues to fuse different styles of music into one entity and can actually pull it off. Most people do not know that Hed pe paved the way for a lot of the corporate MTV B.S bands.
From heavy guitar riffs of the song "Walk on By" to the punk rock sound of "Habeus" to the Tu-Pac-esque vibe of the hip-hop sound on "comeova2nite" any open minded musician or fan of different styles of music from metal to punk to hip-hop to reggae should appreciate the latest effort of Hed pe's Insomnia. Go out and pick up a cd today.

-Keith

I have been a huge fan of (hed)pe since their early days with the self-titled debut and Broke, the best of their albums. They were heavy, edgy, and fun. Since then, they have released Blackout, a more mainstream album, albeit excellent. Then came Only in Amerika, which had some great music, but the lyrics were so terrible and full of expletives that it became laughable. Back to Base X was a return to form, although there was a focus on punk, and cutting back on the heaviness of previous albums.
Now comes Insomnia, and this is a mix of all those albums I mentioned. Some of the songs remind of the glory days (self-titled and Broke), especially the second track. Then there are some that are so vulgar that I was reminded of Only in Amerika. They have also incorporated that heavy punk vibe again that was found on Back to Base X.
While I will always prefer the early (hed) pe to their newer releases, this is a decent mix of styles. It keeps this record interesting and fun, and it has something for everyone.

This CD has a little too much speaking in it. Some songs just stop and go to 20 seconds of a political speach or news caster and then start up again. Other than stuff like that it's a pretty good CD.

simply amazing...that is the only way i can describe this CD. i have Insomnia for well over a year now and i can honestly say that it still blows my mind after every listen. this cd is hed pe's shining moment. i own all of hed pe's cd's since they are my favorite band, and honestly this is there best. none of their others can come close to touching it. my favorite tracks are game over, comeova2nite, suffa, and Atlantis AD. there is something for everyone on this cd. there is metal, rap, punk, and just about everything inbetween. excellent job hed pe, keep up the good work. i look forward to new world orphans!

This album is a step forward for Hed Pe and im not saying that they have a bad album but there are just other albums by them that i like more..like Broke or black out( if you haven't heard those albums its a must)..but since its a new line up the sound is a little new..like they have the rap hip hop metal sound that's what there famous for but now they have songs that sound like old school snotty punk..haha Front man on vocals Jared like always isn't afraid to say whats on his mind he's always blunt and over the top..the music is good..check the album out if your a fan..it brings you back to some of there old stuff..

Half the album is what you expect from MCUD and the rest of the band, loud hip hop metal that is good to listen to on occasion. The other half however littered with anti-corporate propoganda it retains a poiniancy that none of their recent work has. Check out the first four tracks and see what I mean. They have joined this new revolution set to overthrow the F.R.S. and return power back to the people and its government. In this sense the album succeeds in spreading this word, though it is obvious it will never be heard by the right people. Nice work Hed (pe) for at least getting the words out to those who might do something about these atrocities.

I became a fan when the BLACKOUT cd came out, but have never liked every song on any of Hed P.E. cd's. Generally, I like 3 or 4 songs and would rate their cd's as a 3. "Bartender" was the only track I liked on the BROKE cd. I say this, not to down Hed P.E., but to emphasize that this cd is much better than any of their previous work in my opinion. The sound on ONLY IN AMERIKA and BACK 2 BASE X are brought together on this cd. To me, until this release, these were their best 2 efforts in spite of ONLY IN AMERIKA seeming like a bunch of kids acting out.
My favorite tracks on here include; Game Over, Suffa (which I first heard on XM radio or would not have even known of this release), Coming 2 Get U and the cover of Children. Unlike their previous cd's all the tracks are very listenable and overall, this is a pretty damn good cd.

I'm here to tell you that this record is fantastic; when I heard the premier of "Suffa" I became worried; I didn't really like the song. It was of low quality, and the style was far off for me personally; granted on the record, the track sounds higher quality, and it sounds like it was changed slightly from the original; the song is now a goodie...

I'm getting way off topic; it's time to talk about Insomnia. When I heard the entire album all of the way through, I had the urge to start it from track 1 and hear the entire thing all over again; I haven't had a reaction to their music like this since I picked up "Broke" back in the day. In fact, it is safe to say that this record is my third favorite out of all; my all time favorite is S/T, followed by Broke, followed by Insomnia. The music is better here than on "Back 2 Base X," and the lyrics (with the exception of Mirrorballin) are better here than on "Only In Amerika," and of course we all know that nothing else has ever sounded like "Blackout."

I wish "Madhouse" was a full length track instead of an intro, because that song is REALLY good...both the demo and album versions. "Walk On By" is heavy with some pretty good lyrics; "Game Over" makes me laugh and I love the musical diversity; "Habeus" sounds like a typical punk rock song, but it's the chorus that makes the song a stand-out track( I feel like getting in a fight or having a drink); "Suffa" like I said is solid, but I wish they hadn't used it as their single; "Comeova2night" is pretty whatever, the music is tight, and Jahred sounds good, but the lyrics kind of suck (Only In Amerika lyrics) the guest spot is the same; "C2GU" is a bad a$$ punk rock song that rocks the f&%^ out; "RTO" is a cool, solid track with a pretty decent guest spot, I like this track; "Mirrorballin" sucks pretty much; the girl grates on me and the lyrics are ridiculous, and a bit over the top; "Tienanman Square" is a really cool song with cool lyrics, and I like the message here; "Children" is one of my favorite tracks here; audio clips add a lot, and they deffinetly make this song souns like their own; "Atlantis A.D." is a great track; sounds like their old $h1t; "Wind Me Up" is a cool track, if you don't take it seriously; if you take the song seriously, it kind of sucks (on the verge of Mirrorballin, but not quite like that); "Don't Let Me Down" is the perfect way to end the album; it's more upbeat and positive with a great beat; since "Insomnia" is a kind of concept album, it's obvious (hed) has hope for our future as a nation.

I highly recommend this album to any fan, even a fan of their old $h1t only, because it is quite similar in feeling and vibe. I am so happy they stepped it up; I have to say "Only In Amerika" and I have a love-hate relationship, because I see what they were trying to do, but in a way it failed. On "B2BX" I see what they were doing, and I loved most of the tracks, but the sound quality was lacking. Here, the sound quality is better, and the substance is quite evident (except for a few songs). These guys have been a favorite for a long time, and I hope they are not even close to the end; I want their music to spread, and for them to get recognized as the music kings they really are.

(hed) if you read this review, please take advantage of the following constructive criticism; stop with the sexcore tracks; they are not well-liked by many, and you guys are better than that! You can write very intelligent lyrics, why not make an album without sexcore and stick to the thought provoking stuff; we like that better a.k.a. no more tracks like "mirrorballin" peace.

Before I get into my review, I just have to say (hed) pe is without a doubt my favorite band. I have yet to write a review of a (hed) pe album just because I was afraid it would be a biast view. After several listens to "Insomnia" I think I can provide a fair, yet great assesment of the bands 6th full lenght album.

(hed) pe has been around a looong while now, with 6 full length albums, one "best of" album, and an EP over the span of around 12 years. While "Insomnia" is ONE of their best works, still does not top 2000's "Broke" or their funky fresh 97 self-titled release. (I do highly urge for new listeners to pick up both albums, you will not be dissapointed)

First listen through "Insomnia" might have listeners thinking "What the F?!?!" While this album is easily the most diverse of their career, fusing together almost ever style of music imaginable. And yes, (hed) pe can do this, masterfully. It's like an album to sum up all of their previous albums, and putting every phase they went through on one amazing disc.

The intro "Madhouse" is easily one of (hed)'s darkest, heaviest sounding tracks, and it's a shame its only an intro. Metal fans will love the creepy feeling it provides. "Walk on By" is a tribute to the older sound of the band, having lead vocalist Jared screaming, singing, and shout rapping at his finest. "Game Over" is a punk/metal/rap track, and great flows by Jah. "Suffa" is the first single, and rightly so, very fast, angry song with some of the best lyrics on the disc. "Comeova2nite" is straight up hip-hop, and Jared is in top form on the track, some of the gunshot samples make it seem a little to mainstream G-unit sounding, but (hed) pe is about the only band in the world that could pull it off. "RTO" is another fusion of rap and punk, and is awesome. "Tienaman Squared" is straight up in your face punk, and has great lyrics. The last 4 songs of the album are all very solid and each is of different style. "Atlantis A.D." could be one of (hed) pe's most solid tracks of recent memory. Great instrumentals, while drummer Devin (replaced by Tiny) puts a great hip-hop beat to the other wise very hard track, and again Jared's flow is on top of it.

Now the reason's it didn't get the glorious 5 star review. "Habeus", while not a bad song, shows no evolution from their previous effort "Back 2 Base X". It really sounds like it could have been copied and pasted from B2BX to this album, a very forgetable track on "Insomnia". And maybe the worst song (hed) has ever done, "Mirrorballin" is just ridiculous...enough said.

Like I said, "Insomnia" is not their best, but definatly a great relief to see (hed) pe back in top form. The album shouldn't dissapoint long time fans, and also if you have an open mind on what style of music you like, give this a spin, very experimental and original. The choruses of the songs have left me singing them in my hed all day long since I first heard it, and it will have you singing them too.

"Until the end of time, I will rebel in the face of all tyrants!"