Labor Days

Aesop Rock

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2001)
• Original Release Date: September 18, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Definitive Jux
• ASIN: B00005O4UY
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (103 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,475 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Experimental Rap

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Aesop Rock doesn't try to contend with rap music's commercial villains. Instead, on Labor Days, his first release for the Def Jux label, Aesop ignores the mainstream and displays an unshakable confidence rarely seen in independent hip-hop. Although a staccato, Dadaist delivery is his trademark, subsequent listens reveal his storytelling gifts and rhyme structures to be thick with purpose. There's also a sensitivity only hinted at on Float, his first mass release. On "Daylight," he informs, "Life is not a bitch / Life's a beautiful woman," while "No Regrets" tells the life story of a woman who only communicated through her drawings until her death in a nursing home. Thanks to production by Omega One, Blockhead, and Aesop himself, Labor Days is built upon strings, loping bass lines, nodding beats, and expert programming. Surely, this is a fine example of hip-hop's formidable underground. --Arno Kazarian

From URB Magazine
There's a serious bifurcation underway in indie hip-hop, and if we aren't careful, some journalist is going to slap genre tags on it and we'll have two distinct movements on our hands. On one side there's the "skills, skills, skills" camp that raps mostly about rap itself (Lootpack, Cali Agents), and on the other, there are those who rap about nothing at all, or at least about subjects that haven't been deemed worthy of inclusion in rap before (Anticon, Slug).

As a prime example of the latter, New York's Lower East Sider Aesop Rock uses the word "rhyme" a total of three times over the 61 minutes of Labor Days, "wack" once, and "MC" and "mic" never. He says "hip-hop" twice, and - suggesting that he might have a bone to pick with his battle-mongering counterparts across the fence - they appear in the following oblique diss: "Next time you want to be a hero/try saving something other than hip-hop/and maybe hip-hop will save you from the pit stop."

Often his rangeless voice and diction are as accessible as a meeting of the World Trade Organization ("Walking like a jabberwalkie scalping a one-way pair of tickets to shadowboxing"), with whole stanzas dropping from his lips in monolithic slabs at a cadence faster than most listeners can process. Labor Days is an overwhelming experience, and sometimes one wonders if the frustration is worth it. But after five or so years of transparent battle rhymes and industry shop-talk masquerading as content, a little confusion might be what saves less-than-commercial hip-hop from stagnation.

Darren Keast

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the albums you must own before you die, March 11, 2005

By	Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I've been infatuated with the underground hip-hop scene for about a year now. Which is something that more hip-hop lovers need to do, since the commercial product has gone down the toilet since the mid-90s. I bought this album from Amazon after reading all the rave reviews, and to my shocking delight, it lives up to all the hype. It's hard to pinpoint who Aesop Rock sounds like. He builds on the rapping styles of Kool Keith (Ultramagnetic MC's, Dr. Octagon), Del tha Funkee Homosapien, and Andre 3000 (Outkast). "Labor Days" has got to be one of the most surprising, unique, and complex hip-hop albums I've ever heard. There isn't a lyricist out there that doesn't wish they could rhyme like this guy. His mid-blowing metaphors mixed with his thought provoking poetry builds imagery in the listeners mind that is nothing short of genius. Be warned though; this is not an album that is immediately accessible. You will not feel the power of his lyrics and messages the first time you listen to the album. It may not even be the second. But given the chance, you will learn to love these songs as they grow on you.

Aesop may be a little too much for some people. If you are looking for catchy hooks or an abundance of choruses, you will not find them here. If you are looking for bouncy, flashy hip-hop party beats, you also won't find those here. In fact, the production value of this album has nearly as much to offer as Aesop's rhymes do. The album is filled with beautiful soundscapes, many of which are sampled from the classical genre, pushing it further than Immortal Technique has. Most of the beats are slow and comfortable, which never overpower his vocals, as they are the main focus of the music. The slow music mixed with his fast rhymes make for an intense listen. There isn't a dud in the mix, and although my favorite cuts constantly change, some standout tracks include "Daylight," "Coma," "Battery," and "Boombox".

Aesop Rock is not for the weak minded. If you are not into music that provokes your mind and makes you think; then you won't like this stuff. If you dwell on the fact that you cannot get inside the music because of the complexity of his messages; then this isn't for you either. This music is for people that strive on complexity, originality, and for people that look for a challenge when they push play. If this describes you, then you owe it to yourself to check out Aesop Rock's quintessential masterpiece.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complex and Dope Def Jux ain't playing New Aesop Rock, September 19, 2001

By	alex panoff - See all my reviews

Aesop Rock's new album "Labor Days" is a other reason why Def Jux is to me the best label out there. "Labor Days" is banging from start to finish. Aesop comes with his complex dope style like always, but this time has a Def Jux feel to it. This is Aesop's 4th album, and 2nd I have (Float) was the first. "Labor Days" is produced by Blockhead, Omega(Coma) and Aesop himself. I was a little dissapointed that El-P did not come with a track, but like I said "Labor Days" has that Def Jux (Can Ox) feel to it. Plus El-P working on his solo project due sometime in winter(can't wait for that one). Anyway go cop this Aesop Rock if your looking for some real hip hop and if you liked that Cannibal Ox album you will like this. This whole album(14 tracks) is dope to me. Some bangers on the album include "labor Days", "Daylight", "Save Yourself", "No Regrets", "Coma", "Boombox", "The Yes And The Yall", "9-5ers anthem". Aesop is not simple like for ex. Ja Rule so you have to listen to "Labor Days" more then once to really analyze what Aesop is saying because he is so complex. This is independent hip hop at it's best so check it out. Definitive Jux(Def Jux) is making an major impact on this hip hop industry, and does not show they will let up, but only building stronger like an ox.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars hes not for everyone but give it a listen anyway, September 4, 2004

By	A. Davis (Delaware USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There is obviously a huge gap between those who feel aesop rock is a lyrical genius and others who feel as though he simply spits big words one after the other. I think from time to time we get a little bit of both from him. I'm not one to idolize anyone but I think this guy has some talent, I really liked Labor Days as well as Float. Bazooka Tooth on the other hand was nothing spectacular. I saw this guy in Philly maybe 2 or 3 years ago and he is sick live. I just don't want you guys that are reading these reviews to just brush him off simply because of a terrible review. give his stuff a listen, all the tracks may not grab you the first or even second times, but once they grab ahold you're a fan.