Search - Haiku d'Etat :: Haiku D'Etat

Re-release of a masterpiece from 1999

DukeOfEarl | Phoenix, AZ United States | 12/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Haiku's new album just dropped recently(check that out) but this is the new re-release of their self-titled debut. Sorry, the track listing is wrong! None of the "Heavyweights" are to be found, there's no "West Side Slip & Slide," "Slower Traffic To The Right" is #11, and a track called "Wo Wo Wo Yeah Yeah Yeah" is the last one. Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, and Mikah 9 challenge themselves to bring originality to the table here. I didn't like this one that well at first, but the more I listened, the more I realized how amazing this cd really is! I have to say, this one really is even better than their new classic "Coup De Theatre," and it's really different than anything the three have done in their versatile careers.

The thing is, if you listen enough, you shall realize that each song here contains something essential to hear. All are good, but some definitely stand out more than others. This album is really a success in musical achievement, definitely Hiphop, but very authentic. Although these three are top-notch lyricists, the niche that they find here is the beauty of the all-around music that is offered. It's very jazzy, and I'm sure they had a live band behind them. A guitar is even used on a few tracks, most noticeably "Non Compos Mentis" and "Still Rappin'." The saxophone used on "Wants vs. Needs" is a great compliment.

The title track, the name of this super-group and album, kicks it off. This is definitely a good song, although the chorus is distorted and is the only track that doesn't sound too sharp musically other than "Slower Traffic To The Right." "Los Dangerous" is not one of my favorites, but they try out some reggae style, and do it well. Listen to Mikah's solo "Pro Tool Robots" because it's hard to descipher at first, not one of the best tracks here, but memorable in it's own right. "Wants vs. Needs" is an important track. It reminds me of "Temptations," the song off the album of same name by Freestyle Fellowship(Mikah and Acey are in that group). I thought they could have come a little stronger on this track, but the music is definitely enthralling. "S.O.S." is one of my favorites, and "Firecracker" is unique, one of the few uptempo tracks, which has mostly battle rhymes and cool sound effects. "Other MC's" is memorable, especially Ab Rude's verse, and "Slower Traffic" was solid, Acey's last verse outstanding. "Studio Street Stage" is one of the most forgettable, but that's because everything else is so great.

My favorite songs have yet to be mentioned. "Non Compos Mentis" is absolutely wonderful, Acey is just HUNGRY on this one! "Still Rappin'" and "Kaya" are simply relaxing. "Still Rappin'" is easily the standout, and one of the best songs ever in Hiphop! It's simple, yet embodies everything that's good about Hiphop: positivity, feel-good vibes, reminiscing, perseverance. The guitar at the beginning get me anxious for the rest of the song! I wish Mikah would have actually 'rapped' a little instead of singing his whole verse, but this song is still monumental. The last, "Wo Wo Wo Yeah Yeah Yeah," I didn't like the brevity at first(just over 2 min.), but it's still great nontheless. This joint is just one spectacular verse by Aceyalone with great music.

The first listen through this album you might be like, "What the hell are they doing?" I mean, I didn't expect solo joints here like Mikah's "Pro Tool Robots" and the last track with Aceyalone. "S.O.S." has just Acey and Ab Rude, while "Kaya" has just Acey and(Fellowship member) P.E.A.C.E. On a couple of the tracks, Acey's verse is only like 20 seconds. It's not as amazing lyrically as I was unfairly expecting. Their infatuation with weed manifests numerous times, but I guess I can overlook that. They didn't diss modern day rap music as much as I thought they would, but they do their own thing! However, Aceyalone does bring his A+ game lyrically on this album, much to our delight. Like I said this album is about authentic Hiphop music! It's definitely different than "Coup De Theatre," and different than anything they've ever done solo.

Make sure you cop both albums by Haiku D'etat. It's great Hiphop music, and much different and better than pretty much anything out there! Mikah 9 doesn't stand out as much here as on "Coup De Theatre." His mouth does kind of run off like I thought it might, especially on the first couple tracks and "Wants vs. Needs." Although, he does essentially MAKES "Still Rappin'," one of Hiphop's all-time classic songs. Like I said Acey is the lyrical standout, and Ab Rude does have his moments. The real heroes here are the musicians, and how the three MC's play off the instruments and each other. Don't wait, hesitate, or debate...pick up "Haiku D'etat" today!"