Bazooka Tooth

Whut in thee hell? I honestly have no idea what this kook is talking about (like the album title, Bazooka Tooth, isn't clue enough) but like other nonsense guys like MF Doom and Kool Keith, it's less about the content than the bizarre rhymes, crazy word play and interesting beats. If this guy ain't on drugs, I don't know what's up, but his shit is so much fun, I really don't care. It is literally gibberish for the most part, so don't expect any deep anthems, but his delivery is unique and seriously cool. I wouldn't throw this one on if you're on the verge of a headache, but if you want to hear something funky and are into complicated verbal gymnastics, go for it.

Labor Days

Despite the incredible density of Aesop's rhyme style, I never seem to get sick of his twisted twistiness. In an age of crap-ass Casio keyboard noodlings (I'm talkin' to you, Cash Money Crew) Aesop has somehow culled awesome samples where others have just given up. The guy so obviously knows his craft, and delivers it with panache and style. Does his stuff make sense? On some level it does, but it's mostly a deeper level of understanding that is best translated with dictionary in hand--or at least some sort of Ovaltine Def Jux decoder ring.

None Shall Pass

"Puppies pushing sniffles?" Iím not sure what it means, but I love this album. Dark and dense, but also bumping and artistic. This kind of record makes that Cash Money and other Southern crap sound like a fifth grade school project. This is what hip-hop sounds like when people give a shit about creating something interesting, challenging and just plain good. This guy goes so far as to get John Darnielle from The Mountain Goats to appear on one track, cementing himself as a backpack champ. There is a sinister edge to his album, which goes right into the cynical thing that us old white folks like so much in our urban music.