I think that the majority of Aesop fans got worried around the release of Bazooka Tooth that one of the best rappers in the underground scene was losing his touch. Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives did little to assuage that worry.

For me, at least, this latest album was going to be all or nothing. If it sucked, then it meant I would have to come to terms with the fact that there might not be another Labor Days, and that Aesop might have run out of ideas. If it was good, though, then his mediocre last two albums would be forgiven as nothing but a phase, a testing of a style that didn't necessarily work. Aesop would be back.

Fortunately, the latter was true. But don't take that to mean that this is another Labor Days or another Float. This album has a different sound, a different style, and a different direction than anything Aesop has done before. In my personal opinion, it doesn't quite reach the lyrical greatness of his pre-Bazooka work, but it succeeds where Bazooka Tooth failed in that it is actually fun to listen to. The production is absolutely stellar (with the exception of one sub-par track from Rob Sonic), with head-nodders and melodic masterpieces throughout. The guest spots are well-integrated, well-planned, and few enough to avoid the disjointed feel that plagues so many rap albums.

Aesop's lyrics are as cryptic as ever, a quality that has never really allowed him to be popular in the mainstream, but has made him an icon in the underground. His songs require patience and active decoding. Anyone familiar with Aesop's work knows that the true concepts and messages of his songs lie buried in a thick mesh of obscure cultural references, little-known slang, inside jokes, and complex metaphors. However, it has often been said that this is Aesop's most accessible work to date, a label that probably lies more in its production than its lyrical content.

Aesop has put together an album to be counted among the best hip-hop releases of the year, sure to please both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Welcome back, Aesop. We've missed you.

I must be one of the few who really loved Aes' new direction that he flaunted on Bazooka Tooth and Fast Cars. Those albums were a marked departure from all of his previous work and showed intense progression towards a more confrontational, swagga-laden hip hop style.

That's all gone on this record.

His older style makes its celebrated return, making for an album less incendiary than its predecessors, but still a very strong effort. For the stories Aesop wanted to tell, I suppose his old style was the only way to do it. I was a bit disappointed on first spin, but since then this record has really grown on me. Once the tales sink their teeth into your neck, these tracks deliver some of the most concrete ideas of his career.

To balance it all out, there are still a couple tracks where the message is typically cryptic (Popcorn, eh?). The Aesop faithful wouldn't have it any other way, but since this album is...a step backward in my book (no offense), I can't help but wonder what this album would be like if the songs were as self-explanatory as "No Regrets" (off Labor Days), as communication appears to be what he's going for. Some tracks are, others are not.

[...]

Hope this helps.

I am going to keep this review short and sweet. Personally, and I think others might agree, that when it comes to Aesop Rock, there is a certain expectation as to what it is going to sound like. Holy ****! Let me tell you this hits the nail on the head! Bang! It is much better, imo, than last years release "Fast cars, danger, fire & knives". The album is full of A.R.'s awesome flow perfectly complemented with music that is candy to your ears. I think it sounds best at night, but can most certainly be enjoyed at all times. 5 stars! BUT IT!!

Great blend of edgy sophisticated rhymes and eerie progressive samples... I can listen to this album over and over again...

I'm just beginning to get into Aesop Rock, and i have to say: of all the albums I've heard from him; this is my favorite. None Shall pass (the song) is an excellent single, and the rest of the album really feels well made as well. The beats are crazy good, and really appeal to me. I don't like 'mainstream' hiphop or rap (EG: pop kind of beats), so this was a refreshing album. I highly suggest buying it as it's music you can listen to over and over.