Customer Reviews

Paullelujah

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

MC Paul Barman might be the most inventive lyricist in hiphop history. What he lacks in rhythm and delivery, he makes up for in humor and verbal creativity. This is not to say that he cant flow; his flow is nice, and it fits his lyrics--and he's only going to get better & better. Also, he's got an interesting voice that adds humor to his words.

Those who enjoyed the sex jokes in "It's Very Stimulating" will not be disappointed with "Paulellujah"--there are two tracks with some very clever sex rhymes.

And "Paullelujah" has another track describing how mind-numbing school us. This is not just some kid saying school bored him--this is an ivy league educated man intelligently critiquing our school system which saps the life out of its students. Mandatory schooling is part of the American indoctrination system. "Back-to-school nights are visitation rights and boredom is the warden."

There are 2 songs on this album describing the scene in the local anarchist bookstore. Youre sure to appreciate these songs if youve ever been in a radical bookstore... And it helps to know who Noam Chomsky is--but hey, if you dont get some of Barman's references, just do some homework so you can get his jokes. Now, granted, these are humorous songs--but that doesnt mean that they are meaningless. He's dealing with a pretty serious topic--a volunteer run anarchist bookstore, full of political implications--but he's giving us the human side, the reality that people hang out chatting & rarely buy anything. It's funny because it's true. He clearly understands the scene and has read his Chomsky. At the end of "Anarchist Bookstore Part 1," he gives a brilliant critique of the term "P.C.," politically correct.

He's got another political track that only tangentially mentions serious political issues while focusing on the humorous & human side of things, talking about hooking up with girls at pro-choice rallies...

In "Old Paul," he rhymes from the point of view of himself as an old man looking back on his career, questioning his place in hip hop, facing some of the criticism of his nay-sayers...

Then there's the highlight of the album, both because of its clever flows and Prince Paul's lovely production, "Bleeding Brain Grow." Possibly the most impressive lyric on the album--or in rap history, for that matter--is Barman's palindrome quintuplet: "Ma, origami magi roam. Eve, Mika, Rza, Evil JD. Nasir is Osiris and J-Live, AZ, Rakim, Cormega, Cage, Mr. OC: I'm anomie. I, mon ami." Now read it backwards. You find me another rapper who spits out 5 palindromes in a row (okay, 4--"eve" was a gimme). That's just impressive, and unprecedented in hip hop history. In his own words, "Acrostics, narratives, Fibonacci challenge poems, declarative palindromes, manifestos. My five fans can attest, yo."

Probably the only slightly serious song on the album is "Excuse You." Barman, far from being blind to the pain of existence, chooses to face life with humor & creative wordplay.

"Make No Mistake" is an anti-war song that quotes Bob Dylan and Noam Chomsky--and it's funny too...

Then there's "Talking Time Travel," which is an imitation of & homage to Bob Dylan's talking blues songs. His imitation of Dylan's pauses & intonations is absolutely perfect. If you havent "Talking World War III Blues," you will really be missing the whole joke when you listen to this song. Somewhere out there, Bob Dylan is smiling...

The last track is a really funny and well-done spoken word/poetry piece. He simultaneously makes fun of the medium while doing a very good job at it. This is a nice ending for the album, youre cracking up & going "What?!"

In short, this is a tight album with a little something for everyone by one of the smartest lyricists in hip hop.

Wow I really enjoyed It's Very Stimulating with its funny tongue twisting rhymes and its surprising and witty sampling and I was really interested in what Mr. Barman would do with a full length format. The answer is finally here and I'm happy to say it's mostly more of the same.

MC Paul Barman has established himself with not only the typical braggadacio (ie: "I'm the best" kind of thing) of rap but also a sly kind of self effacement. In Co** Mobster he talks about bedding dozens of famous women (including Amy Tan!!!!) but then makes it equally clear that it's a fantasy and that he's not really up to all that anyway. It's an interesting combination and allows him to get away with some outrageous rhymes, and boasts. He even manages to address his place in rap. He ponders the question of his authenticity several times.

There are questions of substance here. I would say listen a couple of times and you can find quite a bit of substance not only in Paul's very sly rhyming couplets but the funny way he parodies different popular forms. I'd also like to correct an earlier review which suggests that Paul actually sings on this disc. Both Talking Time Travel and A Somewhat New Medium feel, to me, almost like a parody of beat poetry and as such they are very funny and do expand Barman's sound and range of material. His type of rapping is typically like a beat poet on speed with a sense of humor anyway.

The production is great with excellent beats and sampling from all over the map. You think you know where a song is going and then bam!! a sample hits you from way out of left field in the best hip-hop tradition. In short, if you find Paul Barman whiny and annoying stay away. For those of us tuned in to his brand of comic rap, the feast has been served.

A previous reviewer writes to say that MC Paul Barman has wasted his time. That reviewer, I am sorry to say, has wasted mine and yours. Barman's second CD is a significant improvement over the first in technique, content, rhyme, and diversity. It includes his usual self-deprecating and enjoyable humor; serious attempts to discuss the orgy of war, the orgy of the sexes, our contempt for the environment, and our occasional contempt for each other. And this is done with some wonderful imagery and poetry as well as Barman's trademark esoterica. Personally, I don't understand how a writer can say he has enjoyed MC Paul's previous work and find this one less meaningful. It is altogether more thoughtful and less sophmoric.

Sometimes a performer just outgrows members of his audience.

this is one of the best new albums I have heard in a LONG time!
Barmann is on his way to the top!

It's old school, it's new school, it's outta school! It's f-ing awesome. The lyrics are so clever; the music is great; the compilation is really engaging. This was definitely worth waiting for.I recommend listening to it over and over because there are so many intricate rhymes to catch. Every listen feels like its a whole new album. The transitions are smooth and the whole experience is extremely engaging. Highly recommend for everyone who is into lyrics with substance and playful beats.

Most people are right. This is a great CD. MC Paul Barman is a pretty rad guy. He's clever, and witty, and he has a definite, unique flow that you can't quite label.

I'm not gonna give a song-by-song review, because honestly, you don't need to dissect each track to enjoy it. Yes, there are a billion subtle quips, but no, you don't need to listen with your ear to the speaker to appreciate them. Paul has been praised for his sharp and savvy verses, and again, it's true. The man went to an Ivy League school after all, I'd be disappointed if he didn't use that education for something. So yeah. Buy this CD. If you hate it, give it to someone else, because they might just like it.

And as a footnote, stop the Beastie Boys hate, please. Just because a lot of ignorant people think either 1) The Beastie Boys are all there is when it comes to hip-hop or 2) The Beastie Boys are nothing, just trash when it comes to hip-hop, doesn't mean either group is right. They're amazing rappers, and have done a whole lot of good, in both the hip-hop world, and the world the rest of us live in. Show some respect.

"Am I making a mockery of a culture like the Choco-Taco?/Am I to rap what France is to Morrocco?" asks MC Paul Barman in "Old Paul". Once you hear it, you'll know -- there's no mockery here. Barman is the real deal: an MC hero for the NPR set. Where else can you go for rhymes like "Anger!/Like Margaret Sanger!/Sitting on a bloody coat hanger!" and "I think about all the pube I got/while reading the Rubyat(sp?)"? He drops more names than Liz Smith, and throws down rhymes faster than the scrolling headlines outside the NYTimes building. Nerds who like their bass bumpin' are gonna find just what the need in Paullelujah.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, MC Paul Barman's first full-length Paullelujah is just that good. This Brown graduate turned white lyricist hits on every issue that you want to hear and even some you don't, like the phisiology of "Burping and Farting" for example. Every track on the disc is another great look at the world he sees. Tracks on liberal bookstores, porn addiction, and even a touching tribute to Guthrie and Dylan dominate this disc. However, that is not to say that this full-length is not funny, it's hilarious. You will want to laugh at every track, but you will be afraid to because you'll be to concerned about hearing the next line. Whether you want a great lyricist, a powerful message, or a laugh out loud funny disc you will get it here. Once you have listened to MC Paul Barman's Pallelujah, you will be sure thatPaul BArman cooks for you. --R.D.

MC Paul Barman can "Rock the mic to silence by John Cage". Paullelujah! is a masterpiece rap album.
Produced by Prince Paul, MikeTheMusicGuy, MF Doom and Phofo. The liner notes are disguised as newspaper articles titled The Jew Dork Rimes . You gotta be a risk taker willing to keep an open mind with this cutting edge Barman Style.

This is one of the illest CDs I have heard -- ever. It is a coup in the art of rhyming. ("My dandy voice makes all the anti-choice granny's panties moist.") This is just plain sick. I respect that Barman isn't trying to affect a new persona, that he is who is and makes no attempt to bolster his street cred or create a fake character to hide behind. He's MC Paul Barman -- and his rhymes are ill. I must have listened to this at least 15 times since I got it and it still keeps getting better.