Customer Reviews

Labor Days

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

Ok... most of you wont know who Aesop Rock is... so ill give you a bit of history...

Aesop Rock is an emcee from New York City, like many other emcees. He is strickly underground and is signed to El-P's Definitive Jux (or Def Jux for short) record label. You will NOT find him, or any of his label mates, on MTV, or BET... or perhaps even on television at all. Before signing with Def Jux, he released three full-length, yet VERY underground EPs entitled Appleseed, Music for Earthworms, and Float. After signing with El-P's label, he released his first album on their label in 2001 entitled Labor Days, and that album is the topic of this review.

This guy has taken over the underground and true hip hop heads will recognize his name. Signing with Def Jux allowed him to collaborate with a plethora of talented underground emcees like RJD2, Mr. Lif, Cannibal Ox, and many more. He has achieved a loyal and dedicated fanbase, similar to that of which such emcees as Canibus and Eminem achieved before crossing into high success.

You may be wondering, what makes Aesop Rock special? Simple... one word: LYRICS. Like many other talented and complicated emcees before him, Aesop Rock has adapted a lyrical style NOT for a typical rap fan. He is extremely abstract, and at times weird. His words at times seem to advanced to get, even for me, and his albums are filled with a bunch of "inside" comments. However, true hip hop fans will love this for several reasons. One reason is the fact that his lyrics always make sense, you just gotta MAKE THEM make sense, if you know what i mean. Meaning youre gonna have to contemplate his words carefully. Secondly, his flow is very unique. He can abstractly switch up his tempo from fast to slow so that he can match up with the beat. The ONLY artist i know who can do this better than Aesop is Talib Kweli. His voice is very deep and raunchy, and he has the ability to do anything. He can spit complicated battle raps which set mics ablaze, intelligent subject matter, socially-conscious lyrics, and he has the storytelling ability. If he continues on this road, he will be known as one of the best pure poetic lyricists of all time. The best way to describe his style is a combination of Ras Kass, Gza, and Canibus.

As for production, this CD has strictly underground production. He joins up with unknown producers, but you can tell each of them have an extreme amount of talent and are skilled beatmakers. He is joined by Def Jux producer Blockhead, who produced the majority of the tracks on this album. But he isnt the only one, because Omega Rock comes in to do his own track. Now the pretty cool thing is that the rest of the beats are handled by Aesop Rock himself! This man proves he is multi-talented by creating his own instrumentals for him to rap over, which is pretty damn cool. Most of the beats on this album sound pretty much the same in the same style. They are primarily underground and simple, yet complicated beats, influenced by Jazz, R&B, classical, Funk, and Celtic music. There is very little scratching, but its not needed on this sort of deep album.

Question is... is this album worth buying? My answer is.... Yes. If you arent here to dance and wiggle, then yes. If you are a complicated human being who LIKES to think and LIKES to experience new point of views on daily subjects, then BUY THIS. This album has a tremendous amound of replay value. You can listen to this ten, or twenty times, without it getting old because of the fact that you have to listen very carefully to what he says, then listen again to try to interpret it into your brain. You'll wanna replay songs so that you can catch what you missed while you were contemplating one of his stanzas. So, for people like DVON, Madtheory, and Paulyoungotti, this is a must-have. But if you dont have that specific hip hop taste that we do... then be gone with you to the Nelly section of your record store.

Now its time to break it down...

1 - Labor (5 Stars)
The opening track to this album has Aesop Rock beginning his domination of the album. Over a hard rock instrumental using lots of bass and amps, along with a fast clap loop, Aesop begins with his complete domination of the track. The instrumental is very addicting, but as usual, the lyrics take the song over. Aesop spits very poetic rhymes about the state of underground hip hop, inserting braggadiocio lyrics here and there, and each lyric is full of intelligence. The break of the track features a variety of very well implemented scratches with a very celtic sound, making this easy to listen to, and entertaining.

2 - Daylight (5 Stars)
The album continues. Using an addicting soulful sound, with celtic influences, Aesop goes even higher lyrically here. By me listening to this track carefully, it seems to me that Aesop describes pure EMOTION on this track. So the song is about human emotion, which you have to listen to CAREFULLY. He exemplifies anger, hatred, sadness, lust, and struggles, which makes this a genius track. His vivid display of metaphors, similes, and multi-syllable flows completely dominate the track, but of course, its probably too smart for you. For example... read this and tell me if you understand it...

Sort of similar to most backbones at camp Icarus
Raw feelings start congregating at pamper for bickering
Life's not a b*tch life is a beautiful woman
Your only call her a b*tch because she won't let you get that p*ssy
Maybe she didn't feel y'all shared any similar interests
Or maybe you're just an a**hole who couldn't sweet talk the princess
Kiss the speaker wire or either pass it for some pagan thresh hold
Stomach full of halo kibbles
Wings span cast black of porn visuals hear the duck hunt ticker tape
Vision and pick apart the pixels

3 - Save Yourself (4 1/2 Stars)
This track loses points due to its instrumental not being so good. Featuring a xylophone snare, along with a pretty addicting, yet simple, guitar pluck, its great, but not perfect like the other tracks. On this track, Aesop returns to pure Braggadiocio lyrics, but of course, inserts poetic metaphors, similes, and advanced lyrical tactics to smash his opponents. He even sticks in some amazing storytelling. This guy is the DEFINITION of talent.

4 - Flashflood (4 1/2 Stars)
Aesop Rock BLAZES this track in one long, yet amazing verse. He returns to HIGH ADVANCED braggadicio lyrics, where he compares his style to most of the crap thats on the radio nowadays. He claims his style is heard by all throughout the underground, and respected. I agree wholeheartedly. He sort of dishes it out towards commercial hip hop on this track, and i thoughroughly enjoyed it. As for the instrumental, a very high-note guitar loop is used here, purely synthesized, along with technoish sounds. Here is a sample of some of his advanced sh*t:

Sucked the proverbial silver spoon to the parents quit apparently
Parasol spinnin casually like "I'm an artist, please don't laugh at me"
Ok, time to buckle the f*ck down
Side of the wobbly system back to original form, pumpkin
You can catch the memoir in several dimensions
The joy of life logic, don't employ the spite process
Hence, your plight botches

5 - No Regrets (5 Stars)
Aesop switches his basic style a bit here and goes into some amazing storytelling on this track. On this track, Aesop storytells about a girl / woman named Lucky, and her entire life. He raps about her struggles and hardships, which amazing, and yet he continues to say VERY advanced words. In the first verse, Lucy is 7 and she is dared to do something, which she does. In the second verse, Lucy is 37. At this point, Lucy is an artist who drew everybody she knew, but rumors were floating around about her being a slut. Amazing, and hard to understand. In the third verse, she is 87, and she is already a successful artist, then felt her demise of old age. Amazing story about never giving up in life.

She'd never spoken once throughout the spanning of her life
Until the day she leaned forward, grinned and pulled the nurse aside
And she said: "Look, I've never had a dream in my life
Because a dream is what you wanna do, but still haven't pursued
I knew what I wanted and did it till it was done
So i've been the dream that I wanted to be since day one!"
Well! The nurse jumped back,
She'd never heard Lucy even talk, 'Specially words like that
She walked over to the door, and pulled it closed behind
Then Lucy blew a kiss to each one of her pictures, and she died.

6 - One Brick f/ Illogic (4 1/2 Stars)
Aesop's first guest appearance on this album is that of Illogic from Definitive Jux. This song may be too complicated, and i dont even understand some of its meanings. I guess ill have to listen to it. To me, im figuring that Aesop and Illogic rap VERY VERY deep lyrics with unique, and hidden meanings, but it seems that they are talking about the struggles of life and how you have to take it one step at a time, and solve your problems like that. Then again, i could be wrong, but that is the way that Big D interpreted that song. If you dont think so, give me some feedback so i can try to understand it a bit better. As for the beat, it has a very jazzy and funkish feel, using soft flutes, and a simple drum loop.

I start my city with a brick (one brick)
Then add another brick (two bricks)
Brick by brick, I manufacture homes for fallen angels
I ain't no great Samaritan, that's just the way the game goes
Respect the polars but acknowlege middle-value rainbows
My snout turned up from dream factory eyelids
Slingin bottled prosperity for the kamikaze colonels
Yeah rocks the match that burned the Nazi journals
And plottin verticals amidst blatantlly horizontal
Models then swallowed by famished potholes

7 - The Tugboat Complex Pt. 3 (4 1/2 Stars)
Aesop continues with some pretty tight braggadiocio lyrics and battle raps. As usual, he remains using his introspective lyrics, storytelling prophetic flow, and a barrage of metaphors, poetic themes, similes, multi-syllable flows, and machine-gun delivery. As for the beat, it uses a soft jazz feel, using some flutes, synthesized noises, along with celtic samples and voices. Tight track.

8 - Coma (4 1/2 Stars)
Once again, another battle rap. I like this song a lot, because its even more complicated than the last track. His amazing prophetic words hit hard on the track. As for the beat, he uses a low jazz track, once again. He uses some piano keys, but the main beat is low saxophone sounds, with a deep synthesized low-key piano and some flutes. Tight Track.

I've been a biplane dog fighter Henson invention
Trooper burst result of Dragon Ball Z/Speed Racer gene splicing
Mach force, blind the extorted style from the common dirty
Destiny dream sighting, important as split the prints
God, sh*t the planet screaming "What on Earth is that?"
I sit back five dimensions
Only to muscle the overcooked specimen
Fending tragic fatality successful dodging violets
All hail Mary and hello dollies!

9 - Battery (5 Stars)
Aesop Rock gives his full tribute to the underground scene of hip hop, and what it means to him. He very descriptively describes the feeling of urban city life and how hip hop, cyphers, and freestyling combined make a very sharp and hard impact on the troubled times. He storytells about his first cypher, and how he "introduced himself as Nervous", until "Everything leads to Erosion", and then talks about the present when he says: I am an epiphany, I am wet foot mammal / Channel surfing my way to the top. See how complicated that is. Basically, he was scared when he first started, but then got better and better as he trained and practiced, which shows pretty tight social-consciousness. His words are well spoken. As for the instrumental, same as before. Celtic music mixed with jazz and some funk elements. The driving force here is a haunting violin track with some weird background sounds.

10 - Boombox (4 1/2 Stars)
This song is a bit weird. Aesop Rock touches on a variety of subjects and storytells on government, violents, hip hop, and wannabes in the game. The song has a very ominous and dark feel, as the whole album seemingly has. For a little over 5 minutes, Aesop Rock goes on an amazing lyrical display. The instrumental is like the other ones on the album, but this time its driven by a HARD drum beat, a background snare / clap combo, addicting low-key piano loop, and background violins.

11- Bent Life f/ C-Rayz Walz (4 1/2 Stars)
Aesop's second, and last guest appearance on his album is by underground artist C-Ray Walz. Basically, Aesop and C-Rayz come on the track with complicated braggadiocio raps, and there is an amazing lyric on the track where he describes the whole album's feeling. They pay tribute to the realness of the underground, and also put a bunch of disses to the commercial emcees, and talks about Teaching them how to hang. He basically destroys all of the commercial rappers and claim themselves to be on top of hip hop, which is AWESOME. As for the beat, it uses a ominous flute loop, backed by a simple violin backdrop, and a seemingly hidden drum beat.

This for the thinkers
This for the erchants allergic to they own stingers
This for the absurd verdict linkers
This for that cat at my shows that's always got prophetic opinions
but cant remember where his drink is

12- The Yes And The Y'all (4 1/2 Stars)
This track begins with an ominous acapella performance by Aesop, until the instrumental fades in deeply, which is VERY well produced. Aesop raps about all of the crap he has seen in his life, and he describes life from several points of view, spitting a bunch of VERY advanced, socially-conscious lyrics which seemingly make no sense, but if you listen closely, they do. He also inserts a bit of battle raps, braggadiocio, and storytelling, all under deep metaphors, and poetic phrases, and extrmely advanced verbs and adjectives. The instrumental has a VERY DEEP Bassline, sounding almost technoish.

13- 9-5ers Anthem (5 Stars)
One of my favorite tracks on the whole album. On here, Aesop creates an amazing tribute to all of the hard working people on Earth. He says that the hard working people of the world deserve more, which is true. Aesop storytells about a bunch of situations he has seen revolving around this topic, and about people who struggle through jobs they hate. Aesop tells people not to worry, and that soon there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As for instrumentals, he uses a VERY simple low-guitar strum loop, with a simple background chime sound. Though it may be simple, its perfectly crafted together.

I'll take my seat atop the Brooklyn Bridge
With a Coke and a bag of chips
To watch a thousand lemmings plummet just because the first one slipped
Sometimes I laugh at victory, kissing these little question marks
I tend to underestimate my average... just another bastard savage
Someday you'll all eat out of my cold hand, Cuz every dog has its day
At which point, I'll pull it away

14 - Shovel (4 1/2 Stars)
Aesop finishes the album with some tight, socially-conscious lyrics about the troubles of life, religion, and a variety of other subjects which you'll know once you listen to the album. As for the instrumental, it uses a simple drum loop, fast violin strings, chimes, a reccuring violin snare, and some synthesized sounds. An awesome ending to this album.

I give this album 4 1/2 Stars, rounded down to 4. Pick it up... if you can find it...

I gave Labor Days a 5/5

Aesop Rock is my single favorite artist out right now and Labor Days was the first album I ever listened to of his...

Labor Days sat on my playlist for about 6 months, given to me by a friend to check out, never really did... Occasionally I'd hit a song on random, but I didn't bother looking at the artist or anything as it played, I have a large collection of music and I never really pay attention to what is playing if I'm working. After awhile, I started humming the beats and playing some of the lyrics in my head from `No Regrets' until I decided to hunt down the album in its entirety from my CD collection. I eventually started adding songs like `Daylight' `Save Yourself' and `Battery' to my normal playlists... eventually buying Float, Bazooka Tooth, and the Appleseed EP...

Point I'd like to make, is that Aesop, for me, was an acquired taste... took me a long time to stand his voice... even a longer time to get into his less mainstream-sounding stuff... I now listen to everything he has...

Its hard to classify Ace Rock as even an underground rapper, because if you honestly listen to his music, its unlike anything you've ever heard out there today...

I listen to mostly every kind of genre out there, but never really had a feel for anything considered `underground' on the hip-hop scene... From Aesop, I've started getting a taste for Eyedea and Abilities, Slug, Atmosphere, etc... and I feel that he has broaden my musical taste to a degree.

Aesop Rock is not for everyone... obviously... Its not `normal' by too many means, if any... Very few of his songs appeal to the masses...

However, his monotone voice, intricate beats, and unique lyrical style are a credit to his overall production...

He is `intellectual' lyrically... I use the word lightly because of the heated debate on this issue... I cannot agree with either of the two extremes; those being the claim that he just strings together big words and those whom claim that he is a lyrical mastermind.... I can say his lyrics do offer something deeper than your normal hip-hop... Getting lost in his lyrics is possible, especially at first... To this day not every line of every song makes sense to me, but something in the way he strings everything together makes sense on some level that I'm not really willing to dissect ;) To claim he is just opening Webster and having a field day is unfair to say, especially considering I've never had a problem with the words he says...my issues are of what it pertains to.... I'm not even going to bothering arguing `smarter' rappers... Some of the comments are just flames because they didn't like the music...

You are allowed to not enjoy music... Go ahead and give the album a 1/5 after not liking the first song you listen to once (or the 10th song the 10th time, whichever), but posting long comments attacking reviewers and the artist itself rather than critiquing the album itself is just pointless...

Truth of the matter is... Ace Rock is gonna piss people off... I've tried to have other people listen to some of his stuff and I've only ever had one person enjoy his stuff... It's a lonely world as an Aesop fan... His music takes understanding and time, but it is rewarding....

Labor Days is probably the easiest of his albums to listen to...

Personally I give 5/5s to every single one of the songs on the album, but if you are just starting off, `No Regrets' `Daylight' and `Save Yourself' are some of the easier songs to get into as well as some of the best songs on the album itself....

All of the songs on this album follow the theme of... obviously... work... Exploring the drive of artists and the hearts of blue-collar workers...

Put it all together and you have a recipe for success...

If you are looking for something new and different from the normal hip-hop scene, I encourage you to check it out, if just to hear something you might not on the radio...

Wow, this music fan d*ck from birmingham or wherever is really starting to get to me... he doesn't seem to realise that the reason we like good intellectual hip hop like this is the same reason i suppose he reads good literature rather than mills and boons or danielle steele... when i listen to aesop throw down some brilliantly clever phat sounding line it makes me feel damn good and on op of that i get to listen to some awesome Blockhead beats... and really the break from the hoes and b*tches dominating mainstream hip-hop is more than welcome, hip-hop is a tool to let people know what our worlds about just like poetry or great novels. Bob Dylan did it with rock and Aesop Rock is doing it with hip-hop. it's amazing when you just listen to the music how inspiring it sounds and you realize that it's the music fan who sprouts lewis carolls real name and the most verbose sentences since english class that comes of as pretentious. but anyway give this one a spin... i'm sure you'll like it...

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.

Damn. This album is a masterwork. Of all my musical recordings that I own, I have never heard anything quite like this. Anyone who craves phat beats and has any appreciation for the English language should own this album. Ace Rock is a genius. This album moved my soul to a new level of musical appreciation. I am trying not to be too vague, but there are pretty much no words to use to describe it. So just buy it and listen closely!

Oh my, he's done it again. I thought Float was groundbreaking, his beats may have been a little weak but once you listen again and again they grow on you like a fungus. This cat is so ILL he needs to be quarrantined. Now I don't really have desire to listen to any other M.C.. Slug is nice, I like the Sebutones, Moka Only, Binary Star, Sage, Grouch, etc. but no one flips flows like Aesop. Multi syllablic rhymes that talk about more than ice & dough. He even attacks some underground heads in " Save Yourself " These tracks have more substance to them, they don't need to grow on you, at first listen your jaw will drop to the floor. He still comes with mad complexity but it's easier to understand in a way. He even has tight hooks now, " You can dream a little dream & you can live a little dream, I'd rather live it cause dreamers always chase but never get it " I can't find a flaw on this album, it is definitely perfect. A bit short compared to Float but no filler, no more eating with Blockhead & the guest spots are nice too. Do yourself a favor, pick this up, search the net for Float, and even d/l his old stuff somewhere ( he made an LP and an EP b4 Float ) equally nice, I haven't heard any thing truly weak from this dude. I would name favorite tracks but I don't have one, they're all sick, quotables upon quotables. I hope he never stops makin music and drops every year. Aesop Rock is the greatest M.C. ever..... Overground!!!

wow if this cat isn't one of the tops in the game right now. i can't think of many artists, let alone hip-hop rhymesayers that have had the kind of progression that aesop rock does, but this labor days album is the fruit of all his past hard work. this is tight. too tight. where else are you gonna find a sick beat with anti-employer-establishment lyrics as in the working-class-hero freakout "9-5ers Anthem"? he even drops a long-needed story rap in "No Regrets", and i don't have the capacity in this review space to explain it to you, but it definitely works. in fact, every single cut on this chunk of plastic will definitely ruin your view on everything non-Def-Jux. if you have only two albums you can purchase this year, buy this and Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein. Alternate between the two dependent on mood, and I outright challenge you to get sick of either album.

I bought this on a whim, after I'd previously picked up Fantastic Damage by El P and was interested in getting deeper into the Def Jux sound.
That said, I thought at the time that El-P did the bulk of the production for his artists. This is untrue; Labor Days has no production by El-P; the sound is decidedly more organic - something closer to traditional hip-hop.
Until this point, I've only negatively criticized the album, and yet, I gave it 5 stars. I should mention that, within a week of buying Labor Days, I went out and bought Float and Bazooka Tooth, the albums before and after this one, respectively. Because while it wasn't what I expected, I loved it anyway. Aesop's raspy, rapid-fire delivery, and his poetic, metaphor-filled content, in conjunction with Blockhead's and his own minimalist production, surely make this album a classic, and I will direct all of my friends who say they're seeking more intelligent hip-hop to this.
I won't get into the track-by-track rating thing that I usually do; I'll just mention some of the definite highlights:
"Daylight," with it's memorable bass-line, insightful lyrics, and equally insightful (yet surprisingly catchy) chorus, "Save Yourself," which addresses those hip-hop traditionalists who'd rather talk about their skills and diss the bling bling-ers than say anything meaningful, "No Regrets," in which Aesop tells a story about a girl who lived the dream she wanted to live, as opposed to dreaming the dream and complaining that it hasn't been realized (like most people do), "Battery," with a mournful, beautiful track that I could relate to, in the general terms of weariness with life (Aesop quote: "there's smoke in my iris/but I painted a sunny day on the insides of my eyelids") and the "9-5ers Anthem," which also spoke to me, cuz I hate my job. Plus, it boasts one of the best beats I've heard in recent memory.
These are my personal faves; others probably would say they like all the tracks but these, but this is poetry; you either get it or you don't, and it's all subjective. Pick Labor Days up, and decide for yourself what you like.