Skelethon [Explicit Lyrics]

Aesop Rock | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 10, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Rhymesayers
• ASIN: B008024OFW
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,311 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Leisureforce

2. ZZZ Top

3. Cycles To Gehenna

4. Zero Dark Thirty

5. Fryerstarter

6. Ruby '81

7. Crows 1

8. Crows 2

9. Racing Stripes

10. 1,000 O'Clock

11. Homemade Mummy

12. Grace

13. Saturn Missiles

14. Tetra

15. Gopher Guts

Editorial Reviews

Aesop Rock is an American hip hop artist/producer, lauded for his unique approach to storytelling with dense and abstract word play, a style which all but revolutionized the world of independent hip hop. A follow up to his critically acclaimed album None Shall Pass, Aesop Rocks's 2012 album Skelethon not only sees the rapper back waxing poetically on his own but also marks his first wholly self-produced effort. While the sounds are familiar, we see Aesop venturing in some exciting new directions with appearances from Kimya Dawson, Allyson Baker, Hanni El Khatib, Rob Sonic, and DJ Big Wiz.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Aesop Rock - Skelethon Review July 10, 2012

By Levi Wilson

Format:Audio CD

Since his post-None Shall Pass (2007) hiatus, Aesop Rock's work has been a mixed bag. Hail Mary Mallon's Are You Going To Eat That? (2011) lacked the heart and elegant lyricism that made me the die-hard Aesop Rock fan I have been for the past seven years, and to be honest it begrimed my image of Aesop Rock. When Skelethon was announced I became immediately apprehensive, but hopeful. That hope was rewarded.

The fifteen tracks on Skelethon not only live up to Aesop Rock's reputation of writing congested and equivocal lyrics that reveal something new with every listen, but Skelethon is proof that Aesop Rock has improved his technique in every respect.

Skelethon is a more upbeat album than fans like myself are used to, and it compliments Aesop's lyrics and delivery beautifully. Every track is inwrought with more heart than I've seen since the Daylight EP (2002). This album is unique in that listeners will not only be translating tongue-twisting stories slightly reminiscent of "No Regrets" from Labor Days (2001), but this album occasionally serves as an autobiography of Ian Bavitz himself. "Gopher Guts," the last track on Skelethon, is a direct relative of "One of Four" from the Daylight EP. Aesop raps about Camu Tao, his own childhood, bouts of self-loathing, and his current frustrations. Aesop Rock's lyrics have actually improved, and have taken on an almost Tom Waits-ian edge, which I love.

Skelethon is the only Aesop Rock album where Aesop's voice and delivery slightly vary from all of his past work--in a good way. In several tracks Aesop seems to be, for lack of a better description, playing and experimenting with his voice in ways I can't recall him doing ever before. Don't worry, Aesop sounds very much the same, and these slight occasional changes are charming; fans of Aesop Rock are bound to notice and enjoy them.

Aesop himself made the beats in every song, and sometimes they lack the same potency of his lyrics, but this is rare. So rare it's easy to overlook as Aesop Rock's music is lyrically driven. Overall, the beats are appropriate, well-produced and atmospheric. They serve as story-telling tools tailored to compliment Aesop Rock's lyrics, rather than the other way around.

I loved this album from beginning to end, and there is not a single song that I don't like. Skelethon surpassed every expectation I had. With the drive and emotional poignancy of the Daylight EP and the hard-hitting lyricism and anthem-like hooks of Labor Days, Skelethon is easily one of my favorite Aesop Rock albums out of his entire discography.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars CENSORED (the material is great) July 11, 2012

By S. Haney

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

My MP3 download purchase is the censored version, which is unlabeled anywhere that I can see it. Pretty disappointing.

I'm hoping when my CD arrives it's not the same or I'll be sending it back. Still giving 5 stars for the amazing music but I want people to be aware they're buying the chopped up MP3 files.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "P.S. I Wrote This On A Self-Destructing Memo" July 10, 2012

By just-a-thought

Format:Audio CD

I begin with commentary for those not accustom to the ways of Aesop Rock:

-This album is unlike any other album in your library, guaranteed.

-You can expect the production on each and every song--all produced by Aes himself--to possess their own distinctive pulse and energetic force, and you can expect each song's language to fire impeccably effortless, cryptic, passionate lyrics in a style indigenous to all Aesop albums.

-Do not, however, expect these songs to present clear and succinct messages.

-Do not get frustrated when these songs do not present clear and succinct messages.

-Rather, here is my ultimate advice: (1) Buy Skelethon! (2) Patiently watch the mp3 file load into your iTunes library---(3) optional, though highly recommended, buy the hard copy as well for the super cool art work and full lyrics---(4) Press play (5) Listen (6) Let your imagination wander and (7) MOST IMPORTANTLY, enjoy the music and let it take you somewhere you've never been.

For those accustom to Aes:

I'm not going to tell you anything you already, and with that I'll keep it brief. About this album:
This album contains the playfulness explored in Hail Mary Mallon. This album contains some of the most personal, intense, and introspective tracks that Aes has ever recorded. This album offers narratives, both serious and humorous, and equally inventive. This album is a narrative. This album is dark. This album is quirky. This album is as abstruse as anything Aesop has ever penned. This album is the manifest culmination of Aes' growth (from Appleseed to Skelethon) as a truly profound and ingenious contemporary artist. This album is as original and daring as any album Aesop has ever created (or at the very least published). This album possesses daunting range and resonates from incalculable angles. This album was, without question, well worth the wait. This album signifies Aesop Rock's finest hour as a poet; this album was born in the deepest, darkest corners of Aesop Rock's mind; this album signifies Aesop Rock's finest hour as a poet (yes, intentionally repeated)--and this much is clear about the album.

For all that, one question remains: Is this Aesop Rock's BEST album? Is Skelethon truly his finest work? Better than None Shall Pass? Better than Float? Labor Days, Bazooka Tooth, Daylight, Fast Cars, Music for Earthworms, Appleseed? Better than them all???

I don't know...

I'll have to listen to it 1000 times (or so) and then I'll let you know.