I've been infatuated with the underground hip-hop scene for about a year now. Which is something that more hip-hop lovers need to do, since the commercial product has gone down the toilet since the mid-90s. I bought this album from Amazon after reading all the rave reviews, and to my shocking delight, it lives up to all the hype. It's hard to pinpoint who Aesop Rock sounds like. He builds on the rapping styles of Kool Keith (Ultramagnetic MC's, Dr. Octagon), Del tha Funkee Homosapien, and Andre 3000 (Outkast). "Labor Days" has got to be one of the most surprising, unique, and complex hip-hop albums I've ever heard. There isn't a lyricist out there that doesn't wish they could rhyme like this guy. His mid-blowing metaphors mixed with his thought provoking poetry builds imagery in the listeners mind that is nothing short of genius. Be warned though; this is not an album that is immediately accessible. You will not feel the power of his lyrics and messages the first time you listen to the album. It may not even be the second. But given the chance, you will learn to love these songs as they grow on you.

Aesop may be a little too much for some people. If you are looking for catchy hooks or an abundance of choruses, you will not find them here. If you are looking for bouncy, flashy hip-hop party beats, you also won't find those here. In fact, the production value of this album has nearly as much to offer as Aesop's rhymes do. The album is filled with beautiful soundscapes, many of which are sampled from the classical genre, pushing it further than Immortal Technique has. Most of the beats are slow and comfortable, which never overpower his vocals, as they are the main focus of the music. The slow music mixed with his fast rhymes make for an intense listen. There isn't a dud in the mix, and although my favorite cuts constantly change, some standout tracks include "Daylight," "Coma," "Battery," and "Boombox".

Aesop Rock is not for the weak minded. If you are not into music that provokes your mind and makes you think; then you won't like this stuff. If you dwell on the fact that you cannot get inside the music because of the complexity of his messages; then this isn't for you either. This music is for people that strive on complexity, originality, and for people that look for a challenge when they push play. If this describes you, then you owe it to yourself to check out Aesop Rock's quintessential masterpiece.

There is obviously a huge gap between those who feel aesop rock is a lyrical genius and others who feel as though he simply spits big words one after the other. I think from time to time we get a little bit of both from him. I'm not one to idolize anyone but I think this guy has some talent, I really liked Labor Days as well as Float. Bazooka Tooth on the other hand was nothing spectacular. I saw this guy in Philly maybe 2 or 3 years ago and he is sick live. I just don't want you guys that are reading these reviews to just brush him off simply because of a terrible review. give his stuff a listen, all the tracks may not grab you the first or even second times, but once they grab ahold you're a fan.

Wow, this music fan d*ck from birmingham or wherever is really starting to get to me... he doesn't seem to realise that the reason we like good intellectual hip hop like this is the same reason i suppose he reads good literature rather than mills and boons or danielle steele... when i listen to aesop throw down some brilliantly clever phat sounding line it makes me feel damn good and on op of that i get to listen to some awesome Blockhead beats... and really the break from the hoes and b*tches dominating mainstream hip-hop is more than welcome, hip-hop is a tool to let people know what our worlds about just like poetry or great novels. Bob Dylan did it with rock and Aesop Rock is doing it with hip-hop. it's amazing when you just listen to the music how inspiring it sounds and you realize that it's the music fan who sprouts lewis carolls real name and the most verbose sentences since english class that comes of as pretentious. but anyway give this one a spin... i'm sure you'll like it...

Damn. This album is a masterwork. Of all my musical recordings that I own, I have never heard anything quite like this. Anyone who craves phat beats and has any appreciation for the English language should own this album. Ace Rock is a genius. This album moved my soul to a new level of musical appreciation. I am trying not to be too vague, but there are pretty much no words to use to describe it. So just buy it and listen closely!

wow if this cat isn't one of the tops in the game right now. i can't think of many artists, let alone hip-hop rhymesayers that have had the kind of progression that aesop rock does, but this labor days album is the fruit of all his past hard work. this is tight. too tight. where else are you gonna find a sick beat with anti-employer-establishment lyrics as in the working-class-hero freakout "9-5ers Anthem"? he even drops a long-needed story rap in "No Regrets", and i don't have the capacity in this review space to explain it to you, but it definitely works. in fact, every single cut on this chunk of plastic will definitely ruin your view on everything non-Def-Jux. if you have only two albums you can purchase this year, buy this and Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein. Alternate between the two dependent on mood, and I outright challenge you to get sick of either album.