Search - Aesop Rock :: Float

The one that started it all

Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 03/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aesop Rock's debut, "Float", is nothing short of magical. Aesop's awe-inspiring rhymes, mixed with his overwhelmingly imaginative poetry, makes for a stunningly successful debut. His one-of-a-kind delivery is among the most unique and effective styles in the underground rap circuit. His lyrical flow has been called genius, even though he isn't a reader. Instead, he gathers his rhyme fuel from TV and movies. The fact that he has been rhyming since the age of eight couldn't hurt anything either. Aesop came from a musically diverse background, including music from all genres. He met up with Blockhead in 1994, and has continued to work with him to this day. Blockhead's beats are also very sweet, mostly stemming from the classical genre; trumpets, saxophones, and lots of creepy string arrangements. All of these things diversify Aesop from the rest of his peers. Other rappers are obviously influence by Aesop himself, as he has performed with a slew of other artists since this devastating debut; including the likes of Dose One (Anticon), Slug (Atmosphere), Mr. Lif, DJ Spooky, Cannibal Ox, El-P, Prefuse 73, Illogic, Omega One, and Murs, among many others.



If you've never heard Aesop's music before, this stuff will surprise you. If you are looking for hip-hop party beats and catchy choruses for your next dance party, look elsewhere. If you are into thought provoking rhymes, then this is for you. Some listeners of Aesop may claim that he spits out his rhymes with such density, detail and speed, that it's highly unlikely that your brain will be able to process the information at first listen. That is true for the most part; but you must keep listening. Upon further listening you experience revelations into the meaning of the lyrics, which is a great feeling. It seems funny to pick standout tracks, since your favorites will change as you listen to the album (that's a great thing), but here is goes: "Commencement at the Obedience Academy," "Big Bang," "I'll Be Ok," and "6B Panorama".



If you like rhymes that eke there way into your inner thoughts, do not sleep on Aesop's work. You will be disappointed that you waited so long to discover his talent, I know I was. I know it can be a bit pricey ($12 [used] as of right now), but it is truly worth every penny, if not more."

Float is unbelieveable, and deathguise is an idiot

mattyoung | MADISON, WISCONSIN | 06/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First and foremost, Aesop Rock is one of the most skilled songwriters period, hip hop or not, he is a genius. Beside that, he can rap like nobody else, he has mad talent. Each track on this album has obviously been completely thought through and exceptionally produced. Each track is unique, and each track is beautiful. Deathguise has no authority writing a review for this album. He Obviously doesn't know anything about hip hop. How is someone from Kinston NC gonna tell a veteran MC from F###ing New York that his rap is for suburban richboys? How can someone who gave Beyonce's garbage four stars tell AesRock fans that they "dont know sh**"? How can he call himself a true hip-hop head while classifying true underground hip-hop as "a cross between metal and soft rock". He obviously doesn't know anything about anything. Get your sorry a## out of corporate mass produced garbage and wake up, if there is such a thing as nerd rap Aesop doen't have any near qualifications to be part of it, And shut your ignorant stupid a## up, you dumb motherf###er."

Disregard Deathguise

XRodgCC | Chicago | 01/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wrote this review in a direct response to the blatently obnoxious review written by Deathguise. Apparently our boy Death is easily influenced by what is known as pop/commercial rap, and knows the slightest about hip hop as an art. Granted the old school cats he referenced are credible and forfathers of the hip hop movement. Other than that Death is simply trying to hold down artists w/ true talent. If you look at his other reviews he copy and pasted the same review for Slug, Sage, Sole, and Aesop. All four of those artists are a god send to the hip hop community, and hopefully will takeover the overly diluted mainstream hip hop culture."