Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uncommon Valor; you need no more reason to buy this album, November 7, 2006
Honestly, I'll say this from the very beginning; Uncommon Valor(A Vietnam Story) is reason enough to buy this album. R.A. The Rugged Man's verse is one of the most beautifully crafted stories you'll ever find in any hip-hop song, perhaps only second to Immortal Technique's Dance With The Devil. While Vinnie does a decent job on the track, and Stoupe's production is fantastic as usual, R.A.'s verse absolutely shines as the greatest thing on the entire album; if you thought R.A. was nothing more than a disgruntled veteran in the hip-hop game(which he did portray himself as on Die Rugged Man Die, as most tracks were just attacks on the industry), this track will change your opinion on the Rugged Man. I just felt that I would get this track out of the way first, as it's most definitely the number one reason to purchase this album, and no matter how solid this release is, nothing on this album can really match the brilliance of this one track. It really has to be heard to be believed.
Besides this track, which is undoubtedly one of the greatest songs of the year for any genre, this album is a strong release from Vinnie and Stoupe. Stoupe's always been knowing for having some of the most unique, and cinematic production found within the rap game, and that doesn't change on this release. In fact, as an overall package, I'd place this only behind Violent By Design in ranking of JMT albums; while that album is an underground staple, this one definitely has the makings of it within years to come.
Vinnie has never exactly been praised as a visionary emcee, and with reasonable reason; his hardcore, and bloody depictions are definitely not for the weak of heart, and are dangerously vicious. While genres such as gangsta rap and horrorcore have cartoonish qualities in their exaggerated violence, Vinnie's lacked those animated attributes, and has always come across as an authentic psychopath; be that a good thing or a bad thing is up in the air. While Vinnie's image definitely comes across clearly, that same image has crippled Vinnie in the past from being taken as anything more than an ultraviolent emcee with a supreme thirst for blood; while he's definitely still as aggressive as they come, he also allows room for introspection in this release which hasn't been seen in the past. In simpler terms, he'd allowed more depth of his character to show, and has more dimensions to his style than in the past, allowing a wider range of emotions to be felt when listening to his music. Even if most of these introspective moments are rapped suicide notes(literally, especially on Razorblade Salvation), it's hard not to feel Vinnie's anguish on Servants In Heaven, Kings In Hell.
Stoupe still provides the perfect contract to Vinnie's malevolent rhymes; rich in samples, with more substance and layers in a single track than most producers have in an entire album, Stoupe delivers behind the boards, though his music is NOT in the forefront as in previous releases, and Vinnie's words get equal shine throughout each track. To me, it's entirely appropriate, since Vinnie stepped up lyrically; he deserves to be thought as more than "that rapper guy with Stoupe."
Guest appearances are superb as always, coming from the aforementioned Rugged Man, underrated Illadelph emcee Chief Kamachi, the Jesus Price Supastar, among others. Only four tracks include guest appearances, two of them including one guest each, and the other carrying two. This gives you plenty of Vinnie, and although Vinnie works better in posse cuts, he holds his own on his numerous solo tracks(especially Black Winter Day, which is one of the album's many highlights).
In the end, the bottom line is that you should buy JMT's Servants In Heaven, Kings In Hell. It's yet another dope album released in 2006, proving this has been one of the best years for hip-hop in quite awhile.
|
|
|
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Art Of Consistency {4.5 Stars}, December 6, 2006
On their fifth release Vinnie and Stoupe craft what I believe to be their best effort yet. Say what you will about Vinnie's lyrics, but he brings it to your chest every time he spits. I personally don't find his lyrics offensive, but I think it's safe to say that JMT's stuff isn't for the easily offended. As far as the CD itself, Stoupe brings the heat on the boards. He's been dope and consistant from day one, so all you fans know what to expect. Though the album is laced with banger after banger (I'd say 16 of 19 joints are tight), I think the consensus on "Uncommon Valor" being the best track on the entire album is pretty much spot on. The mentality of Vietnam soldiers. Brilliant. Vinnie provides one side of the equation (the scared soldier that wants to just do his job and leave) while R.A. is the booze drinking, vietnamese women screwin' (his words, not mine), glory seeking, violence loving soldier looking to be a hero -- which also turns out to be a true story about his father. It's original and captivating in it's delivery. Hip Hop could definitely use more of that.
The DVD contains the video for "Heavy Metal Kings" which features Ill Bill and has a cameo by R.A. The Rugged Man. It also contains behind the scenes footage (Vinnie signing records, R.A. commentary, the making of the video, etc...).
You know, there isn't much wrong with this album. I found the three "bonus" tracks to be so-so (there are no wack tracks though), but what bores me the quickest is Vinnie P's cadence -- it never changes. Some will argue that if you've been down with JMT for a while then you should be used to that, and they're probably right, but I'm beginning to tire of the predictability of his cadence. No worries though, the content of his lyrics make up for it.
Servants In Heaven, Kings In Hell is one of the top ten '06 rap releases. Vinnie Paz and Stoupe have a consistant formula. No peaks and valleys, just steady, dependable production. With that being said, I think this is probably the first peak, because this is their best album in my humble opinion. I recommend adding this one to collection.
Standout Tracks: Heavy Metal Kings feat. Ill Bill, Shadow Business, Put 'Em In The Grave, Uncommon Valor feat. R.A. The Rugged Man (My Favorite), When All Light Dies, Black Winter Day, Razorblade Salvation, Outlive The War feat. Sean Price & Block McCloud, and Suicide
|
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
i love it, but here are my complaints, September 21, 2006
this review may be a bit more helpful for those who have listened to their previous work because of comparison, but will still be helpful to newcomers.
jedi mind tricks has always been a very controvercial hip hop group from the very begining. some say they are conspirers, other say they bash christianity and homosexuality, others say they are anti-government extremists, etc. etc.
but say what you want, they are extremely talented
to focus on this album:
well, violent by design and visions of ghandi had excellent production, and in my opinion legacy of blood lacked on the production aspect. visions of ghandi lacked on the lyrical aspect from the group's frontman vinnie paz. i think this album is a perfect ballance of both great lyrical and production aspects. they saw what didnt work with visions of ghandi, then saw what didn't work too well with legacy of blood and then tried striking a proper balance between the two.
however, here are my complaints about this album:
the production is excellent, but there is not enough variety within the instrumentals, so sometimes u may get a sence of redundance. they all sound pretty similar, and usually JMT's albums are packed with sounds from all over the world, sometimes (usually my favorite) they'll throw in some latin, spanish guitars and horns and i thought it sounded excellent. especially on VofG. this album all kindof sounds the same.
also, many of the beats are over sampled and over produced, with too many chimes and bells and rings making the track almost sound like a fairytale. as well, i do not enjoy some of the choruses where some lady's voice has been sampled and sped up to sound like a lil chipmunk or something.
this album's strengths are Vinnie's lyrical content: he has some very powerful lyrics in there and he brushes upon some very controvercial topics. this album is more aimed towards anti imperialism and government, especially aimed towards the bush administration, other tracks focus on human rights, vietnam, and even some personal notes he sends to his relatives and friends. i believe it to be vinnie's best lyrical work and i know most of you are going to disagree with me on this one because all of you loved the alien conspiracy theories and such. but i think this work is great... he talks about struggles of human kind, and still keeps a raw rap edge. i loved it.
my last complaint: no hidden tracks, a bit too many interludes (but thats common on a JMT album), annnnd its quiet a short album. oh and the cover design and album artwork is a bit too abstract and does not reflect much of JMT's work on this album.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD A JMT ALBUM, this is a good purchase, i do not suggest you start out with legacy of blood. if you are into the whole underground hip hop scene then you definately must have violent by design (its a classic) and if you like that you may even go deeper into finding the psycho social. if you want a more party up beat raw raps and some consider sold out album: get visions of ghandi. its a great album in my opinion, the production on that album is my favorite of any other JMT album. i would'nt start out with servants in heaven, (even though im sure you would all like it) simply because its their latest work, and i think you have to understand where jedi mind tricks came from and what they envision before having it shoved in your face on this album.
my favorite tracks of JMT however are the ones that are not released on any of these albums such as retaliation remix, blood runs cold, raw is war (original version), language is fatal... there are a bunch more but i am not going to list them.
overall this is a great album, second to their untouchable violent by design, and the reason that one is untouchable is because of the time it was released, now hip hop has evolved. i can listen to this whole album through and not skip any tracks... and im sure its goin to be fun to see them live again for the 12th time.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
~ Jedi Mind Tricks
~ Jedi Mind Tricks
~ Jedi Mind Tricks
~ Jedi Mind Tricks
~ Jedi Mind Tricks
is Jedi Mind Tricks' 
