The Echo Chamber Blog

The Best of 2008:

1.) j.DePina – Dusty 45′s: I listened to this joint over and over again just to see if I would ever get sick of it, and it hasn’t happened yet. Honestly, I don’t think it will ever happen. This may be my favorite instrumental album…ever—but that’s coming from someone who thinks Donuts is one of the more overrated albums of all time. Regardless, this album knocks from beginning to end, and I truly believe this year hasn’t seen a better release from any (yes, any) other artist. It’s the 401, gettin’ it done.  If you missed this, download it here.
2.) Look Daggers – Suffer in Style: Everything I look for in an album is delivered here by 2Mex (of Visionaries) and Ikey Owens (of The Mars Volta) on this LP: originality and genre-bending creativity, blended with cohesiveness and consistency. Over the past couple years, 2Mex has slowly become one of my favorite emcees. Check for more about him in our “If you don’t know, now you know” section in the near future.
3.) Qwel & Kip Killagain – The New Wine: Qwel is pretty much my favorite emcee. Aside from the fact that he has the most ridiculous and mind-scrambling rhyme patterns, the best thing about Qwel is that he chooses to make his albums while working with only one producer. I can’t stress enough how much record’s benefit from this, and why more artists don’t do this is beyond me. So, needless to say, The New Wine is nice. Not Qwel’s best, but still very nice.
4.) Elzhi – Euro Pass: For me, there’s no question that Euro Pass, Elzhi’s mixtape from early 2008, is better than his studio LP, The Preface, that came later in the year. The clever narratives and intricate rhyme reciting heard from Elzhi on Euro Pass matches up perfectly with the production from Black Milk (probably his best to date), T3, and DJ Dez among others. There isn’t a single cold spot to be found on this entire CD.
5.) Invincible – Shapeshifters: Ever since I heard this girl kick rhymes on Eddie Ill & DL, I’ve been a huge fan. I’m really in awe as to how Invincible put together such an incredible debut LP: her rhymes are always on point, and her production selection couldn’t have been much better. I’m anticipating a strong sophomore LP within the next couple years.

The Worst of 2008:

1.) Brooklyn Academy – Bored of Education: It’s terrible. Although there may be a handful of good verses, there really isn’t a good track on the entire album. The production doesn’t help out at all either.
2.) Tame One – Da Ol’ Jersey Bastard: Being such a huge Tame One fan, this album absolutely killed me. I’m pretty sure this man has dusted himself out to the point where he is talent-less. If not for “Catch Me,” featuring Del the Funky Homosapien, this album would have topped Bored of Education for the worst of 2008.
3.) Ill Bill – Hour of Reprisal: Sorry, angry white kids, but this dude isn’t that dope. The DJ Premier produced “Society is Brainwashed” is the only above-average track to come off of this album.
4.) RZA – Digi Snacks: Alright. I’ll be the first to admit that this may be a bit of an overstatement. But, seriously, this record is not even close to being RZA-razor-sharp. The production isn’t that good, there are too many features, and, overall, it’s the inconsistency of RZA on the mic that brings this album down.
5.) Dr. Dooom – Dr. Dooom 2: Kool Keith is so god-damn bad now. If you liked this album, it’s because of one of two reasons: the KutMasta Kurt production (Kurt is criminally slept-on), or the fact that you’re a jock riding Kool Keith fan that hasn’t realized how downhill his career has went. Sure, I know Keith has about ten dope albums (group and side projects included), but he hasn’t spit a single rhyme worth hearing on his last fifteen albums.

Surprises of 2008:

1.) Kam Moye (Supastition) – Self-Centered EP: Last year I heard a lot of noise about Supastition. I never really felt any of his prior work but, still, I kept an ear out for him and it definitely paid off. In my opinion, Self-Centered is Supa’s best work by far: the production is solid all the way through and his rhymes have improved so much that I can’t see this cat not releasing more high-quality music in the near future.
2.) Mighty Joseph (Vast Aire & Karniege) – Empire State: This album caught me off guard for a number a reasons; mostly because I was impressed by Mighty Joseph’s two emcee’s that, before this album, I had been quite indifferent towards. The production is impressive as well—the stand-out cuts being “The Uprising” and “The Dark Ages” produced by MJ’s Karniege. Swave Sevah also comes through for a visit to the Empire State on the Melodious Monk produced “Pandora’s Box,” for what I would consider to be one of this year’s best featured appearances.
3.) Killah Priest & Chief Kamachi – Beautiful Minds: By now, most people that that have read my stuff on TECB know that I think Killah Priest is one of the best emcees ever. With that being said, I never imagined Chief Kamachi being able to hold his own a collaborative project with Killah Priest. Well, he does. And it surprised the shit out of me.
4.) Killah Priest – Behind the Stained Glass: It’s hard to explain why I’m surprised when one of my favorite artist’s puts out a good album. But let me try: Priest is very capable of slaughtering microphones. Yet, for some reason, his record’s (aside from Heavy Mental) are never spectacular (before you shart your trousers and comment on how good The Offering is, read this sentence over again and put more emphasis on “spectacular”). On that note, I’m surprised that Behind the Stained Glass is as good as it is when, besides the fact that it’s almost entirely produced by DJ Woool (whooo?), Priest doesn’t spit a single rip-your-heart-out-and-eat-it-verse. He does, however, make what is probably his most cohesive work to date.
5.) Reks – Grey Hairs: This would have been one of my favorites of 2008 if the arrangement of the album was better…and if about seven of the tracks were left off of it.  Nevertheless, the tracks that are good truly showcase Reks’ growth as an artist.  And the Statik Selektah production is quite nice too.

Disappointments of 2008:

1.) DJ Muggs & Planet Asia – Pain Language: Muggs is one of my favorite producers.  I can same the same for Planet Asia as an emcee.  Yet, for some strange reason, this album doesn’t add up.  For me, both the production and rhymes fall extraordinarily short on this LP.
2.) EMC – The Show: I didn’t think Masta Ace would ever put out a bad project.  Well, he did.  This entire record sounds like leftovers from the A Long Hot Summer sessions.  Stale leftovers.  The concept of the album is mind-blowingly boring, and even the rhymes of MA aren’t able to save The Show.
3.) Shawn Jackson – First of all…: Being from RI, I know Shawn Jackson is way nicer than this.  There’s a few good songs scattered throughout the LP, but, overall, First of all… isn’t nearly as good as it should be.
4.) Vordul Mega – Megagraphitti: Revolution of Yung Havoks is one of the most slept-on records of the last few years.  So, needless to say, I thought Vordul would have dropped another gem with his sophomore effort.  It didn’t happen.  Unfortunately, “Stay Conscious” and “Megagraphitti,” both produced by Zach One, are the only stand-out tracks on the album.
5.) Termanology – Politics as Usual: If it wasn’t for the three DJ Premier tracks, Term’s debut LP would have easily been the worst of the year.

Underappreciated album’s of 2008:

1.) People Under The Stairs – Fun DMC: Thes One is an incredible producer (check Lifestyle Marketing) and, on the microphone, I think Double K embodies the essence of hip-hop like not many other emcees can.  Fun DMC is probably my favorite P.U.T.S. album to date.  I just wish Thes left more rhyme-responsibility with Kid Drunkadelic.
2.) Johnson&Jonson – Johnson&Jonson: I can’t believe more people aren’t in love with this album, especially after Blu’s project with Exile, Below the Heavens…, that came in 2007.  The production is arguably better, and Blu is almost as good with the rhymes.
3.) New Jack Hustle (Shawn Jackson & Newman of Giant Panda) – Sound Check: The “distorted views with imported brews” (the missing element of First of all…) that I expect to hear from Shawn Jackson are in full effect on this album.  Great record.
4.) Time Machine – Life is Expensive: For real, if you’re not up on these guys, you should be.  Their first record (Slow Your Roll), and Mekalek’s solo LP (Live & Learn), are as close to modern day classics as albums can come.  Although Life is Expensive doesn’t have the same instant-classic-status as their other two albums I’ve mentioned, it’s still very much worth the purchase.
5.) DJ Babu – Duck Season Vol. 3: Babu’s production is finally on par with his cuts.  And, for the most part, all the emcees featured on Duck Season Vol. 3 go nicely with what Babu has to offer.  Too many good songs to elaborate on—I should have reviewed this one.

Overrated album’s of 2008:

1.) Almighty – Original S.I.N:  This album is a piece of shit.  The production is the only thing that saved it from being one of the worst of 2008.  Cut out every single verse from M-Eighty, Son One, and 5 Star and you’d have an album worth listening to.  But still upsetting, nonetheless.  Wow, I think I’ve yet to mention on my own site how much I hate Babygrande Records.  I fucking hate Babygrande Records.
2.) Snowgoons – Black Snow:  If you’re in the mood for redundant-rhymes and pretentious-production, look no further.  There’s about four (that’s even generous) good songs on here…and seventeen terrible ones.
3.) Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons…: How this sold 100,000+ copies is beyond me.  This isn’t even their best album.  Slug bores me to death, nowadays.
4.) Dela – Changes in Atmosphere: Sure, this record has refreshingly smoothed out and jazzy production from beginning to end.  But, truthfully, Large Professor is the only one who says anything memorable on the entire LP.
5.) Reef the Lost Cauze – A Vicious Cycle: The more I listen to this album, the more I dislike it.  Too many songs—bad songs.  Bad songs that far outweigh the good.

Here’s a few album’s I never had a chance to pick up: Decay – The Unlikely Hero, DJ KO – Picture This, Critical – Medical Records, 9th Prince – Prince of NY, Black Milk – Tronic, Jazz Liberatorz – Clin d’Oeil, P Brothers – The Gas, Buckshot & 9th Wonder – The Formula, J-Live – Then What Happened?, and Madlib – King of the Wigflip.

And good looks to GZA for shouting out The Echo Chamber on Pro Tools.  Damn!  We runnin’ this rap shit!

Filed under: Music, Hip-Hop, Album Talk/Review, 401 Gettin' It Done, Instrumental Tagged: | Ill Bill, Hour of Reprisal, Brooklyn Academy, Bored of Education, Termanology, Politics as Usual, Killah Priest, Chief Kamachi, Beautiful Minds, People Under The Stairs, Fun DMC, Shawn Jackson, Time Machine, Planet Asia, DJ Muggs, Reef the Lost Cauze, Atmosphere, Supastition, Kam Moye, Self Centered EP, Dusty 45's, DJ Babu, Johnson&Jonson, Elzhi, 2Mex, Qwel, Look Daggers, Suffer in Style, Ikey Owens, The Mars Volta, Kip Killagain, The New Wine, Euro Pass, Tame One, Da Ol' Jersey Bastard, RZA, Digi Snacks, Dr. Dooom, Dr. Dooom 2, Kool Keith, KutMasta Kurt, Invincible, Shapeshifters, Mighty Joseph, Vast Aire, Karniege, Empire State, Behind the Stained Glass, Reks, Grey Hairs, DJ Muggs & Planet Asia, Pail Language, EMC, Masta Ace, The Show, First of all..., Vordul Mega, Megagraphitti, Thes One, Double K, New Jack Hustle, Sound Check, Mekalek, Life is Expensive, Duck Season Vol. 3, Almighty, Original S.I.N., Snowgoons, Black Snow, When Life Gives You Lemons..., Dela, Changes in Atmosphere, A Vicious Cycle, j.DePina