Search - Hed Pe :: Insomnia

Surprisingly Solid.

Andrew Estes | Maine | 07/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With their third album in a two year period, one would expect (hed)p.e., a band who arguably got left behind when rap-rock died, to sound dire and weak by this point. But the truth is, with "Insomnia," their sixth album, they are actually starting to sound better and fresher than they have in years. Despite the fact that some of Jared's lyrics still bask in cheesiness and today's band just can't live up to the musicianship of previous line-ups of the band's past, at least it doesn't sound like it was recorded in a basement ("Back To Base X") or try to justify it's existence by spewing as many swear words as possible ("Only In Amerika"). That means that "Insomnia" is at least the best release (hed)p.e. have come up with since becoming a semi-indie band.



Make no mistake, if you weren't a (hed)p.e. fan before, this isn't going to change your mind. And if you are expecting the band to expand their sound and grow, you might as well turn around and walk away. If anything, "Insomnia" does a nice job of combining all elements of (hed)'s music, both past and present. "Walk On By" is hands down the best (hed)p.e. song since the days of "Broke," while "Habeus" and "Suffa" improve upon the down and dirty, lo-fi style of the past two albums. There are plenty of political undertones carried through the album, with various soundbites popping up between songs to keep up the concept and beat the message over the listener's head. Although the band who penned "Crazy Legs" isn't the type you want, nor expect to get political, songs like "Tienanmen Squared" and "Atlantis A.D." are actually quite interesting and give the album a little more weight and substance than the rest of the band's career. Also of note is "Children," which spins Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" on it's head, and also becomes one of the most satisfying tracks on the album.



All compliments aside, there are moments where this album reaches into the realm of the embarassing, which seems to be a modern (hed)p.e. curse. "Come Ova 2 Nite" is as cheesy as it gets, and "Game Over" brings back bad memories of "Only In Amerika." Even still, "Insomnia" is a great album that should please the majority of the fanbase. Granted, it's not the most tasteful or original piece of music out there, but if there ever was a band towards the end of the millennium who made rap-rock fun and credible, it was (hed)p.e., and it's a legacy that they don't appear to be letting go anytime soon."

Amazing effort from the underground

Keith Swynenburg | New lenox IL | 07/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a long time fan of Hed pe's music from there first album "Church of Realities," and from seeing them live for the first time in 1998 opening for Soulfly in Chicago,this band has never gotten the credit or recognition they deserve. Their latest album "Insomnia" blew me away the first time I listened to it. This band continues to reinvent themselves in a way that they stay true to their fan base as well as keepin it real from when they formed in the early to mid 90's. From all the cross-over rap/rock/hop-hop/metal, this band has been the most unique from the start. It is rare these days to find a band such as Hed pe that continues to fuse different styles of music into one entity and can actually pull it off. Most people do not know that Hed pe paved the way for a lot of the corporate MTV B.S bands.

From heavy guitar riffs of the song "Walk on By" to the punk rock sound of "Habeus" to the Tu-Pac-esque vibe of the hip-hop sound on "comeova2nite" any open minded musician or fan of different styles of music from metal to punk to hip-hop to reggae should appreciate the latest effort of Hed pe's Insomnia. Go out and pick up a cd today.



-Keith"

Mixed results on 6th record from punk/rap/metal kings.

Lukas J. Running | Wisconsin | 08/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a huge fan of (hed)pe since their early days with the self-titled debut and Broke, the best of their albums. They were heavy, edgy, and fun. Since then, they have released Blackout, a more mainstream album, albeit excellent. Then came Only in Amerika, which had some great music, but the lyrics were so terrible and full of expletives that it became laughable. Back to Base X was a return to form, although there was a focus on punk, and cutting back on the heaviness of previous albums.

Now comes Insomnia, and this is a mix of all those albums I mentioned. Some of the songs remind of the glory days (self-titled and Broke), especially the second track. Then there are some that are so vulgar that I was reminded of Only in Amerika. They have also incorporated that heavy punk vibe again that was found on Back to Base X.

While I will always prefer the early (hed) pe to their newer releases, this is a decent mix of styles. It keeps this record interesting and fun, and it has something for everyone."