"I age like wine as I get older," brags MCA on this Beastie Boys energy blast. It's a defiant statement from a man who was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, resulting in the cancellation of Hot Sauce Committee Part One. Hence, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, where the three former Brooklynites battle the ravages of time and off-beat MC flows. The best thing about a Beasties album is its sound, and here they devise a "Nonstop Disco Powerpack" reminiscent of early BDP and Mantronix. Nas rhymes circles around the trio on "Too Many Rappers," but even he says, "You better pay homage to my fellas."
Always the bridesmaid (though he'd probably disagree), Killer Mike has often been on the outside looking in at other artists' success, and perhaps that's alright: this peripheral and then ex-communicated member of Outkast's Dungeon Family and Big Boi's Purple Ribbon team sounds best on the margins, in the underground. Pledge Allegiance is the sequel to his 2006 mixtape and it picks up where that one left off: gruff delivery over East Coast/ATL hybrid beats. Highlights include the Houston homage "Big Cars," featuring Chamillionaire, and "Super Clean/Super Hard" with kindred spirits Eightball & MJG.
Imagine Bob Dylan reincarnated in two New York multisyllabic cynics transplanted in California, and you can anticipate Are You Gonna to Eat That?. Under the guise of 19th century typhoid carrier Hail Mary Mallon, Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic engage in wordy rapping -- the third member, DJ Big Wiz, handles the scratches -- and their songs can be a morass for the uninitiated. A good starting point is "Knievel," which pays tribute to the daredevil stuntman. But try making sense of "Poconos," where the duo describes a horrific summer vacation, or the surreal tour diary that is "Meter Feeder."
Rick Ross unveils his star-studded clique Maybach Music Group with Self-Made. It's not as bad as most rap crew comps, but that's not saying much. At best, MMG associates Meek Mill, Pill and Wale bring lyrical heat to "Tupac Back," "Rise" and the sex jam "That Way." At worst, Self-Made induces headaches as various producers copy the beat for Ross' 2010 hit "B.M.F. (Blowing Money Fast)." And this wouldn't be a Ricky Rozay album without outrageous claims. On "By Any Means," he raps, "As-salaam-alaikum/ Wa-alaikum salaam/ Whatever your religion, kiss the ring on the don."
Jim Jones' style is unorthodox like Dennis Rodman. He's not much of an artist, and manages to coast by on a goofy hustler's personality, even amid the second-hand production and copycat ideas of Capo. He raps like Rick Ross on "Take a Bow," tries his hand at crooning on "Perfect Day" and "Heart Attack," while "Gettin' to the Money" sounds like a Gucci Mane outtake. Despite Jim Jones' uneven attempts at NY radio crossover success, Capo sounds fun and inoffensive. However, save for "The Paper," it also lacks the grizzled Dipset street anthems that made him a star in the first place.
Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator begins Goblin by warning, "I'm not a role model." He then flips lyrics about rape and cannibalism and threatens to snort Hitler's ashes. His blasphemous words aren't as important as the strikingly bleak electronic bleeps he produces and his violently depressive mood. Goblin is structured as a therapy session, and he's most sympathetic when discussing unrequited love on "Her." Those moments of clarity are few. Being a goblin is central to his identity, and he seems content to "bust one in they mouth/ I know they'll feel the flavor."
The second installment from SNL's resident funny songsters, Turtleneck & Chain has all the numbers about sex, genitals and, uh, sex that anyone could ask for. With guest appearances from Akon, Beck and Michael Bolton, Andy Samberg and company deliver perfectly nailed hip-hop with gags crammed into every square inch. Bolton's appearance on "Jack Sparrow" may be the funniest part.
On Pl3dge, Killer Mike passionately argues that street thugs are a potentially revolutionary force. On "American Dream" he offers his support for notorious drug barons like Big Meech, arguing, "In America the crooks get the castles/ Never seen a Rothschild or Rockefeller shackled." He backs his somewhat-twisted logic with better beats than 2008's Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II, rhyming over a sinuous track from Flying Lotus ("Swimming"), and sample-heavy sounds on "Ric Flair," "Burn," and "So Glorious." Agree with him or not, Killer Mike is a talent that can't be ignored.
Teen pinups New Boyz may never mature into Lil Wayne-sized talents. But at least they've outlasted one-hit status, thanks to "Backseat," their electro-pop smash with Dev and production stars the Cataracs. Alas, it's the best song on Too Cool to Care, although the L.A. kids work hard at pleasing all demographics, from dirty-minded swag animals ("Active Kingz" with Tyga, "Porn Star") to preteen cuties ("Meet My Mom"). This leads to some interesting moments, including "Beautiful Dancer," a babymaker ballad with Uncle Charlie Wilson where the Boyz talk about "waking and baking."
