A little less than one year ago Aesop Rock was hitting the road for the Hail Mary Mallon Tour, a collaboration with Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz, his first project on his new label home, Rhymesayers, after El-P put Def Jux on infinite hold. Aesop returns with his own baby, Skelethon, the sixth in his lyrical-song-making career, and what a bouncy baby it is.
Known for colorful, creative, and out-of-this-whacky-world word weaving, Skelethon continues the Rock saga with 15, count ’em, 15 tracks, two bonus tracks, and just as many instrumental versions. It was well worth the wait for those that were keeping their Aesop Rock fix going after 2007’s None Shall Pass.
Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz have joined the party once again, with Kimya Dawson contributing her matter-of-fact quirkiness, Dirty Ghosts’ Allyson Baker floating her harmonies overhead, and Hanni El Khatib adding in his gritty two-sense.
While Aesop’s lyrics can at times be as clear as muddy coffee in terms of literal interpretation, you get the impression here and there of a darkness; personal experiences far form charming that’s being shared in a cathartic fashion. Such is the case with “Crow 1” and the scenario of a graveyard, “Gate of God’s acre / Air to rake the snow off each forsaken name here / Supposedly closure’l free the vipers out the bosom / Personally I think it’s a bunch of bullshit.” With most of us being touched by death, it’s highly relate-able as the many stages of grief never really take their leave.
ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO SEE AESOP ROCK IN DENVER JULY 24 FOR FREE —
simply email contests@kaffeinebuzz.com with “Skelethon in Denver” in the Subject line, along with your full name.
This is what makes Aesop’s works so captivating, forcing you to lean in and pay attention. No spoon-fed crap going on here, ever. At the same time, his producing skills are really falling into a sweet spot, this being the first time he’s ventured down this path all by his lonesome. Instrumental versions of each track is available as well, and I encourage you to take a listen to further appreciate the many layers of Psyence-Fiction-esque, jazz-style percussion, along with flowing piano and many vivacious, groovacious twists and turns.
Speaking of the latter, on “1,000 O’Clock” it’s time to get those gluts and quads working, to get down low and move to the tribal sway as Aesop propagates his personal hygiene habits whilst taking a stab at our commerce-obsessed swine society, spitting out metaphors faster than Aroldis Chapman on a sunny San Diego day.
Another basement crawler is “Dokken Rules” with Mr. Sonic swooping in and out, spitting out prose and cons as the beats pull you down and dirty in such a good way you may need to make a booty call immediately following the last note.
Aesop Rock is again taking his show on the road, coming back to Denver’s Summit Music Hall on Tuesday, July 24 with the crew in tow, including Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz, plus Edison and Dark Time Sunshine.
ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO SEE THIS SHOW FOR FREE —
simply email contests@kaffeinebuzz.com with “Skelethon in Denver” in the Subject line, along with your full name.
The album is out now. Get on it already.
Tour Dates:
07.19.12 – Portland, Wonder Ballroom
07.20.12 – Vancouver, Venue
07.20.12 – 07.22.12 – Seattle, Capitol Hill Block Party
07.23.12 – Salt Lake City, In The Venue
07.24.12 – Denver, Summit Music Hall
07.26.12 – Minneapolis, First Avenue
07.27.12 – Madison, Barrymore
07.28.12 – Chicago, Metro Chicago
07.30.12 – Toronto, Mod Club
07.31.12 – Montreal, Corona
08.02.12 – Boston, Paradise Rock Club
08.03.12 – New York, Irving Plaza
08.04.12 – Philadelphia, Union Transfer
08.05.12 – Washington DC, 9:30 Club
08.07.12 – Atlanta, The Loft
08.09.12 – Dallas, Granada Theater
08.10.12 – Houston, Fitzgerald’s
08.11.12 – Austin, The Mohawk
08.13.12 – Tucson, Rialto Theater
08.14.12 – Tempe, Marquee Theatre
08.15.12 – Solana Beach, Belly Up
09.02.12 – Los Angeles, FYF Fest
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