Customer Reviews

Other Side of the Looking Glass

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

 

 

Alias is no doubt my favorite poet. Each of the songs on this CD had verses that made me sit and think about how it's possible for anyone to write so melancholy and make it cheer me up so well. Number 7, Watching Water, is the song that I relate to the most. I bought this CD two weeks ago and it hasn't left my CD player.

Alias is a founding member of Anticon, whose magnum opus is undoubtedly The Other Side of the Looking Glass. The album's intro clearly establishes Alias' intention in crafting these songs, an attempt to articulate issues and events particular to his life, such as the death of his mother ("Institutions Passing") struggles with bi-polar disorder ("Pill Hiding" and "Dying to Stay") and other topics such as anxiety and worriment. "Black Tea" depicts Alias' imagined older self having to face the reality of his wife's passing, and recognition that he must spend his days alone. It is apparent that Alias' partner played a significant influential role in his songwriting.
My personal favourite track is "Watching Water", undoubtedly the crowning song of this album, which epitomizes much of the abstact quality to "The Other Side..." on a whole. Here Alias admits that sentimentality can have the deleterious effect of regret, especially in light of the fact that every individual is not a fixed point in space and time, and must therefore adapt to new situations, much like a falling drop of water that is enveloped by a larger mass of water. A truly beautiful song.
The Other Side of the Looking Glass is one of my most favourite hip-hop albums, since it features a talented artist using an unconventional approach to convey his thoughts and emotions, which are truly worth his salt. Alias' sheds light on many aspects of his personality, and the album is absolutely devoid of filler, and features only one guest (Dose One on "Opus Denied"). If one is a fan of spoken word matched to engaging beats, this album will undoubtedly enchant the listener.
Big ups to London Ont's own Thesis who pieced the incredible artwork for the album.

That's all I can say, this album is gloomy and deep and that really appeal's to me. What I can say I liked most about this album is not the rap but the sound that Alias has injected into the album. But I will warn the buyer, this album isn't for everyone. If you are not used to something different from rap then don't buy this album, but other than that it's all good.

This album is incredible and well worth the wait. Another fine example from Anticon records. Alias is great at mixing emotion with music and still having fabulous beats. It this tickles your fancy, check out So Called Artist, Deep Puddle Dynamics or anything else Anticon sells.

So, for those of you that have been waiting for something new and original in the hip hop world, this is for you. Alias' style is more like spoken word than traditional rhyming. I think his skills have improved significantly since the EP he put out last year. One of the best aspects of this release (and the EP) are the beats and instrumentals. The instrumentals on the EP are amazing. Coming from a fan that's been listening to hip hop since 1983, I say thank you to Mr. Alias.

This is heavier than any Norwegian black metal band, more melancholy than most pale, early '80's, British pop. Inventive instrumentation and samples coupled with interesting beats make this the most complicated and ulimately the most rewarding hip-hop album I've heard in a long time. This guy is the best kept secret on the Anticon roster.

I can't begin to say how much Alias is underrated as a poet/producer.. This album from beginning to end is original, creative as well as cohesive. This album should be recognized by more people, as anyone can relate to the words that Alias expresses in this album. It's deep, creative, flows very well. This album is 5 stars to say the least, and definitely worth the purchase... which is difficult to say about most albums now a days. Also be on the look out for an artist named ElCh3 his full length will be dropping some time in 2012/13 called (L.I.F.3.)

The dreamy atmosphere on this album is magnificent. Every song on here is the perfect song to look out your window and examine your life

This album is incredible and well worth the wait. Another fine example from Anticon records. Alias is great at mixing emotion with music and still having fabulous beats. If this tickles your fancy, check out So Called Artist, Deep Puddle Dynamics or anything else Anticon sells.