Search - Hed Pe :: Back 2 Base X

A Much Needed Improvement...

Andrew Estes | Maine | 06/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I started out as a huge (hed)p.e. fan. I was in high school when I discovered the self-titled album, and as the rap-rock trend was rising, it seemed like the best thing since sliced bread. (hed)p.e. had aspects of their music that other like-minded groups such as Limp Bizkit and Crazy Town simply could not pull off. At times they were rough, dirty and in your face. Other times, they were chilled, cool and introspective. Truly a multifaceted band, which was hard to come by in the genre. Then "Broke" follows, and is essentially an improvement over the seemingly perfect debut. A few years pass, the band loses some members, and releases the mixed "Blackout." Soon, the band loses even more members, loses their record deal and retaliate by releasing an album so vulgar it's annoying, by the name of "Only In Amerika."



I told myself that after "Only In Amerika" I was done with this band. I still stand firm to this day that that album was a complete waste. A band who once possessed such talent and diversity and had such a wild and charismatic frontman were becoming a parody of themselves. Well, with "Back To Base X," the boys seem to be trying a little harder to reclaim the glory days. This time, they are sharing the same record label as the Kottonmouth Kings, and the influence shows, as this is a much more laid back affair than the last. "Norvus Ordos *litorus" and "White Collars" are high energy rockers that sit well with funky tunes like "Listen" and "Sophia" and have reminded me of why I came to love this band in the first place. "Beware Do We Go" is probably the most accessible and fun of the bunch, while the single "Get Ready" falls short of getting that job done. "Peer Pressure" is a short little joke-song that is a bit pointless, but a bit funny at the same time, and shows the band not taking themselves as seriously as they did on the last record. In fact, overall, I'd have to say this is a pretty solid effort. Almost every song is good, and the few that aren't so hot don't really drag the listen down too much. Sure, the production is a little thin and the musicianship still leaves a bit to be desired, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. I'm glad I gave these guys a second chance, because with "Back To Base X," it sounds like they care about putting something worthwhile out there. Hopefully they can keep up this pace before they fade into oblivion with the bands they once shared the genre with."

Another (hed)p.e. classik

Darlene Groendal | Grand Rapids, MI | 06/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From track 1 to track 13 its an example of hed p.e. at their best. I really liked only in amerika and I wouldn't trash that album the obscenity made me love it even more. Most people consider Broke their best album and I think this album is a lot simular to that album with a little more reggae to it. The CD is basically wat the title is they made tracks back from the original days of Church Of Realaties. And this has wat they have become developing threw all their music. Blackout was just an average album in my oppinion and it had good songs but not threw and threw like this one, their self titled album was a lot better then Blackout but ne way ya another hed classic."

More like the old hed, sort of

Albert Ross | Tokyo, Japan | 09/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a big fan of this mob since their first two records blew me away in the late 90's with a very original sound and a very intelligent lyric content. Then came 'broke', which was very good, 'blackout', which was also pretty good although not as strong perhaps as their first stuff, and then the other one a couple of years ago (to sum up how excited about that I was).



Now comes this record which I feel captures the sort of intelligent thought they had on their selftitled album (I still consider their best) but has the agression of the other one (only in amerika) - and it works. It's got a very lively sound to it, MCUD's vocals are great as usual, lots of energy and gets his point across clearly despte the level of agression, the music is fun and as they have done many times they come up with a unique sound again. Hed Pe are very good at changing the pace of songs and this record they do it masterfully.



Only issue is the track selection - I don't think the first half of the record, except track 4 'white collars' is as good as the second half, so can easily start listening to it and tune out.



favorites are: -'white collars': rocking track with strong lyrics and lively chorus

-'Dayz of war': Hed PE at their absolute best, reminiscent (although not sounding like) the Machine Mix of their classic 'Darky' with what starts life as a generic rap track that builds into a violent chorus with powerful use of an unorthadox choir arrangement - very clever song and sound.

everything from track 8 onwards I found enjoyable also.



Have given it 5 stars as a fan of the band (if that helps clarify it) as a record from them I really enjoyed."