Aesop Rock deserves the highest praise; "ITS" Album Review

So much to say! Taking true joy in this one. ‪@aesoprockwins‬
Skye's Stamp (example song) Pigeonometry - • Aesop Rock - Pigeonome...
(The song I meant was "Waiting Around" off of MAPS)
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[@ShimonRudkovsky]

Funny thing about Lupe Fiasco, a couple of years ago he published a 40-minute-long video discussing why (and maybe how) you should appreciate Aesop Rock

[@StanHowse]

Says why he's Legit the BEST rapper out LOL.. Great watch. I been listening to Lupe for Years, didn't really find Aes until about a year ago.. And then, you see the Track they did Together? Pretty recent too. "Pumpkin Seeds"

[@melvinjansen2338]

Yeah he said Aesop Rock is a rapper that rappers listen to when they home alone😂

[@CliffSedge-nu5fv]

Professor Fiasco also teaches a college course on rap at MIT.

[@shrimpscampin]

one of my favorite videos of all time

[@sunflowersamurai10]

i love that vid!

[@jackjohnson691]

Ruby 81 by Aesop is an incredible short story that gave me goosebumps when I properly listened to it

[@chiron1234]

I get goosebumps everytime i hear it

[@JollyKappa]

everybody say "good dog" -super mega chills-

[@musaka2022]

They're not really goosebumps, they are called Weinpopels. I guess nobody these days is acquainted with the High German language, but as an Aesop fan you should have no excuse to be uneducated in what they are.

[@jackjohnson691]

@@musaka2022 do you need a hug?

[@musaka2022]

Hugs are a product of post neoliberalist capitalism, so no. @@jackjohnson691

[@adxdenerlx6969]

5:50 The universe lines up in ways one never expects. In an Aesop Rock review, mentioned MF DOOM then Lupe 10 seconds after... Lupe did a Instagram live that someone uploaded on KZbin, titled ''Lupe Fiasco: Why (And Maybe How) You Should Appreciate Aesop Rock''. He mentioned how Aesop Rock and MF DOOM (maybe one other idk don't have 50 min rn) are rappers he properly studies how they use words and bend the language. I'd lock all three of them in my top10 lyricists in music, and arguably you might not even need that limit. Edit: avaa, just had to get that first part out :3

[@WarrenLeggatt]

I have listened to Aesop for sooo many years now. Happy to admit that early on it took me so much time to really grok what he does. I think he has perfected his art far move as he got older BUT the magic was always present in his music. But I think it takes such a long time realize what he is doing but once you do it becomes easier to jump into new stuff he releases. Even now, do I get all the lyrics... Not really but that is what I love as it means follow up listens reveal more each time. But anyone that can dedicate a whole track to meeting Mr T as a child deserves big props. He does it in a way that captures the magic through the eyes of the child he was at the time. How many can do that and it not sound cringe :) AVAA :)

[@granta3044]

Aesop rock was my one of my first trips into the underground world of hip hop. Labor Days is one of my favorites of all time. It pretty much changed my whole concept of what was hip-hop in intermediate school.

[@RavenousCatalyst594]

fo real! i thot GROK was a typo but ur use got me lookin it up & was my 'i learned something new today" moment!! aes wished he had thot to use that one, soooo many ways to make it sound grimy aF

[@WarrenLeggatt]

@@RavenousCatalyst594 Yep it is such a good word and as you say, such a wonderful sounding word also. :) Glad I gave you a learning moment, although you did that yourself as you are the one with the mind to question and look it up. Too many people do not do this when they hear a new word :)

[@st6havoc66]

So you’d say you’ve listened to Aes for A Lotta Years

[@musaka2022]

Maybe for you. Real Aes fans don't find in issue in articulating what we are hearing. I've been listening to him since 1994, and from the beginning I could tell each song is 1 part in a chronological order dictating one singular narrative. I hesitate to say you're uneducated, it's possible you just aren't very cerebral to begin with. It's quite obvious that Rumpelstiltskin is both the protagonist and antagonist in every song Aes ever made, you think that is a clue pointing in any direction? Gee, I wonder. Probably just a coincidence. Some times I just have to shake my head.

[@BeatsyBoy]

Loved this album. El-P’s solo discography is all self-produced and brilliant. Cancer 4 Cure is probably most digestible but I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead is my favorite.

[@cuseyeti_one8three]

Run the Jewels…

[@BeatsyBoy]

@@cuseyeti_one8three El produced those too, and Skye has reviewed some of them. I think El-P’s solo albums are much different than RTJ albums. As much as I enjoy Killer Mike’s contributions, I think El-P’s rhyming and how abstract he can get takes a backseat on those albums.

[@COMZ96]

Second this!!!

[@jamesoblivion]

Yeah, El's whole discography is fire. His flow is on permanasty.

[@ayeyuh6920]

If only Aes and El-P could hash it out. I give anything to hear Aes on an RTJ track.

[@frost9681]

There is a theme in the album that is specifically "the failures of creativity". Obviously this is most apparent in tracks like Failure or Pigeonometry, but even in tracks like Mindful Solutionism which takes that concept in the broadest sense of humanity and technology. Amazing video, review and breakdowns. Ive been waiting for this exact sort of content since the album dropped

[@smokegrapes]

This is a great take on it.

[@CCDaDon15]

So... I think the very idea of this being meant to be about tech and turning into something entirely different is a meta narrative that's meant to be a more broad example of what's being told in Pigeonometry. I think the biggest theme of the album is how to deal with the concept of failure as a creative because it's the one he repeats a few times. I feel like a lot of these songs likely started out with the intent to be about tech but became something different or way more vaguely related to the topic than intended. Especially the Rob sonic song. So I also wonder if he's like... Talking about how anxious he is that he's running out of things to talk about. black snow contains a theme about anxiety and how it's lying to you, I feel. The last line is, see you in the morn the forecast ain't right... Which I take it as, well my anxieties about creating are lying to me so of course I'm gonna be continuing on with this, taking it in with the greater part of it being about the generation of immigrants it's like he's also saying so much happened to make him, him and he can't allow that to be him just being all that he's been in his life this far and he's gonna do more with what he's been given as he's finally APPRECIATING everything that's around him (pulls together several other themes in the album). That's also coupled with the sample of "you get what you're supposed to get". That's what I'm interpreting this album to be about... If it's meant to be taken in that way which I think it is supposed to be even though it's not the way it was advertised which I think is the point

[@CCDaDon15]

But even with the tech stuff like... He's talking about getting plants as a means to have something to do and ease your mind and how they're also useful with friendships because it's an easy but very thoughtful gift. Which is.."Tech".... But you know, just not cyberpunk

[@smokegrapes]

@@CCDaDon15 love it, its nice to talk about aes with people lol my old coworker and as of today 4yo son are the only other people i know who do.

[@CCDaDon15]

@@smokegrapes yeah I've been eager to talk about it just because there's several ways to interpret the album. One of the more common interpretations I am seeing is that the album is about things that Aes likes and appreciates that technology can never replace. The vibes at night, nature, rivers, birds, etc. This album is really a well of creative influence for me just because of the many ways you can interpret it. Just what I needed currently as a creative myself.

[@SaulPadilla-ih7qc]

This is an amazing deconstruction of an album nobody is talking about for some reason There’s so much here I had no idea about thank you so much AVAA

[@shrimpscampin]

I love old aesop, labor days, float, etc. and how difficult his lyrics were to puzzle out but his later work is a masterclass in story telling. he's always had that ability (no regrets, for one) but there's a clarity in the new work that I really appreciate. still goes over my head for the first few listens but its not so complex

[@durere]

Ay Skye, do yourself a world of a favour and listen to Ruby '81. It's one of his shortest songs, but arguably the best piece of storytelling he ever put out there. You _WILL_ cry, I promise. With each listen. Not because it's sad, but because he's a wizard.

[@jackjohnson691]

I second that

[@alika124]

I’d say listen to No rEgrets as well, not only is it great story telling as well but I feel it also has a tie in with the themes of On Failure

[@mydogsnameislucy768]

Named my dog Lucy after that song. ☺️

[@sexysupervillain802]

Facts.

[@kubahavelka9556]

I was waiting for this video since the album came out, this one might really be his best effort yet

[@louisgregoire3927]

No chance this better than impossible kid or spirit world

[@garinbaker_]

it’s definitely not better than SWFG or TIK

[@unco_pk_traceur7748]

the first 7 are absolute bangers one after the other and nearly all are excellent but there are some that dont quite captivate me as usual. which is fairly typical and doesnt at all chamge that hes my favourite rapper ever. definitely monumental effort and forms another part of his overall masterpiece tapestry

[@ayeyuh6920]

@@garinbaker_ I think it's a lot better than SFWG tbh. The mix is better too just on a production level, his voice on SWFG is too cutting, especially on Pizza Alley. TIK is still my favorite album though.

[@CCDaDon15]

@@ayeyuh6920 he said swfg ended up like that because his microphone was broken but he didn't notice.

[@kpkowfoot]

AVAA, Professor Skye. I'm a relatively newer subscriber (after having been directed from another creator to your video discussing Injury Reserve's last record - also awesome) and had visited your previous AR reviews in anticipation. I became familiar with his work over the last few years, and I would say this record is definitely a standout in its delivery. We understand AR is a cryptic guy. He tends to communicate with his music in layers upon layers. This began to unravel (I believe) in 2012's Skelethon, especially in the track Gopher Guts, and then further in my still-personal favorite of his, 2016's The Impossible Kid. I say all this to say part of the appreciation I share for this new record is this sense of transparency. Some tracks are presented with a kind of veil (Track 3), but it's refreshing to hear him just relate anecdotes to us. In an ironic sense, this album whose concept is supposed to revolve around technology, is probably his most human - I even teared up during Vititus, namely the line mentioning sundowning. I try to avoid the parasocial, but I like to think eleven years have made a positive difference for him. Finally, I'd like to thank you for relating some of the callbacks in these tracks for those of us still learning hip hop history.

[@Lebowski55]

Aesop Rock is such a treasure to Hip Hop

[@ChandlerTso]

you should check out Deca. self produced, incredible rapping skilling, mindblowing lyricism

[@leokvist397]

AVAA First self-produced album that comes mind is just El-P's Fantastic Damage. Nice to hear aesop there also.

[@kevinmonks8056]

He should definitely listen to fantastic damage that album goes crazy 🔥

[@claudesylvanshine6551]

I would love to see a review of this.

[@sepse7en2]

Its hard to to see Aesop's lyrical brilliance without going back to some of his earlier albums, he really switched his style the last few albums up and made more accessible music with more storytelling. The earlier albums are way more abstract with dense, hard to disypcher lyrics- both styles are great but listen to Float, Labor Days, Music for Earthworms, Bazooka Tooth, None Shall Pass and Skelethon and the lyrics are way more complex.

[@0oidiedinatimemachineo024]

i say this every single time Aes puts out an album but this album is fucking amazing! to me it sounds like hes completely refined and mastered this style hes been doing past years. Also I love how he just makes songs about everyday simple things. going to a drive through, pigeons in the street, meeting mr t when he was a kid...etc. Years ago people would complain like "his songs aren't about anything" cause they were abstract lyrically but nowadays most songs have a clear theme but he still does his cryptic writing style. Oh and that thing about him having a huge vocabulary ..etc is true I guess but also other people put that on him he doesn't claim that. Hes said in interviews he doesn't even read books or anything and hes not an intellectual lol

[@cocoq10]

Lol I've heard this too about the he doesn't read part but how the hell does he just have all this collective and super specific knowledge lol I tend to think he has to read a lot otherwise how would he be able to write the way he does?

[@smokegrapes]

@@cocoq10 he said he reads articles, even on failure he talks about reading on wikipedia, i had a discussion about this with my buddies wife whos a laywer and has had to and enjoys reading books. I personally like to wikidive and learn about anything i dont know, or look up any words i dont know. She thinks its a waste of time to do that but i disagree. If i only read headlines yes, but i read everything and check sources and there sources or whos funding this information to be published.

[@cocoq10]

@@smokegrapes I thought about that too, about kinda gleaning the cliffsnotes of things he's interested in from wiki, but also the guy has had this specific writing style since his very first album and probably way before.. idk it doesn't seem like it's just wiki research.. He does say he reads the paper, I know he watches jeopardy too so he's probably just a research out of curiosity kind of guy

[@smokegrapes]

@@cocoq10 in school i hated to be taught, later on in life i realized what a commodity it was, i can sit and read and learn things for days like they are books but it will span hundreds of topics. His style and rhythm idk how he developed, but i do know some people are just gifted and approach things differently. Even the way our brains perceive reality could be completely different, i remember reading an article about a survey they did at a prestigious college where they asked every student if they had some form of voice or dialogue in there minds at any point in there life. 20% of them said no! To quote aes “my mind was fucking blown” that voice in my head was the cause of most my anxiety and panic attacks growing up. And oddly as a kid i heard an adult voice talking to me, which as i got older realized it was my adult voice. How the fuck could that happen?! I remember it very clearly because of my panic attacks and having very ingrained memories of that time. The mind is truly amazing and i think a lot more to learn about it.

[@cocoq10]

@smokegrapes yeah I saw that survey/study too on inner dialogue/lack of and it, pretty interesting stuff!! One of my favorite things to research is psychology and mental processes, and his thought patterns seem peculiar at first, but then you see how many fans he has who love the way he writes and obsess about deconstructing every song line for line and you realize maybe it's more common than you originally thought.. one of the things that attracted me to his writing style is the variety of topics he gets into. Things a lot of us would have maybe never consciously thought of but maybe the concept has been floating around subconsciously.. but yeah I get that "mind is fucking blown" feeling pretty often too haha

[@damienperry5758]

Blueprint is another rapper/producer, but I strongly recommend reviewing Vigilante Genesis: a modern crime novel; beats by Aesop Rock, Blueprint rapping the story

[@puppywaldo]

I rarely comment but I just find it funny that the bible quote you mentioned at 8:40 is a sample in Aesop Rock's song "Holy Smokes".

[@titusjames4912]

1 of 4, ruby 81, cycles to gehenna, gopher guts, get out the car, face melter, acid king, water tower, kirby, shrunk, daylight, nightlight, No Regrets, grubsteak, dog at the door, flamingo pink, one brick, the tugboat complex, so strange here, all these songs are just so gutturally attached to the spirit. There are many more, let me know which ones I missed.

[@cocoq10]

Love the trivia on the transition from On Failure to Solid Gold! Makes me love the album more than I already do

[@thedopegod1134]

Bermuda is my favorite track off ITS and I really just think that track is using flowers as a metaphor and allegory for personal growth. “I will send you flowers” the flowers I grew from my back that I’m sending you on the other side of that growth.

[@clydeclark616]

i think it also is exploring the idea that despite all our technological advancements and progress, when we are gone and forgotten nature and plant life will reclaim what weve taken over and destroyed. Like forgotten civilizations, or abandoned cities or malls that get covered in spanish moss (another track from another album)

[@Histio]

I love your reviews especially when you do Aesop. I know he has plenty of albums in his discography and you usually review new material but I'd love to hear your review/breakdown of the impossible kid Or material from the artist, Sadistik

[@avatar9962]

AA VT (or something like that!) This is the first video of yours that I have watched, loved it. I came back to comment because I was watching the video for this song and noticed that the first animation of the cat coming out of the bag actually has 9 spikes coming out of the end of their tail. Such a small detail that shows that both of your takes were correct!

[@JuppotheFool]

Hey Prof, AVAA! Listening to the beginning where you are talking about this album feeling different somehow, you should check out the album Aesop Rock did with Tobacco under the name Malibu Ken. I feel like working with Tobacco changed Aes and you can hear it in this new album from the beats to the flow, also it's just an amazing album on it's own

[@TojoQQ]

El-P has played with a lot of the same themes as Aesop did on this album & self-produces his own records. ITS reminded me of El’s production on Cannibal Ox’s ‘The Cold Vein’ a lot actually

[@sunflowersamurai10]

Damn i thought i was the only one that saw this lol

[@newday8545]

nah

[@buckfastbjork6968]

Hey fiest time viewer and this video was awesome ! It was incredible hearing someone go into such deth and detail about this album. When Aesop puts so much depth and detail into his works its refreshing to see somebody put the same into critically analysing them ! Also please tell me (or somebody else) what the name of that video about Links hookshot breaking his arm !!! AVAA

[@carmodaveable]

I loved this album but your breakdown of it makes me love it even more. Thank you for your thoughts on this work!

[@xenolithic9691]

You are an incredibly unique individual Professor Skye. Do not ever change.

[@xtraapparel1909]

AV but this is the first one I've watched, so maybe I'll give you the other A's next time around. Really enjoyed the video and learned a couple things to help me appreciate the album even more. Aes rocks!

[@LuisHerrera-ow7wh]

Really enjoyed your review, I think it's important all that you've said regarding the album, not easy to find others who enjoy Aesop rock as much i do. Loved the insights regarding Van Gogh and solid gold. I think there is another theme in the album I would've enjoyed hearing about, the theme of time, in Vititus' chorus he says X-ing the squares, I think that means crossing out days in a calendar. While listening I felt a lot of the imagery painted things of the past and the title of the album alludes to the future. I also love radiohead, I have these really good headphones that I mostly use to listen to radiohead and this Aesop Rock album in particular, the production I thought was phenomenal. Thanks for making this video.

[@xfancyfeastx]

AVAA. I like your points about the pigeons. Cannibal ox, Aesop’s former fellow record label mates while he lived in New York, made a song called pigeon that goes down this same vein of overlooking something so simple. Plus growing up in New York probably saw a lot of them. I would think some of these things contributed to his thoughts on pigeons.

[@janelle7778]

Hi Professor! AVAA because it’s always a joy to hear you speak on Aesop Rock.

[@clydeclark616]

you do a great job. Youve got the perfect intellectual and active listening skills to accurately appreciate and analyze the artistry of aesop. The best thing about aesop is replayability, the more you listen the more you get out of it. Its almost a puzzle to solve, or a painting to study. Thank you for posting

[@clydeclark616]

Hope you also check out his album, Impossible kid, skelthon, and side project malibu ken. All great stuff

[@takisnotdead]

Jarv self produced "The Amalgam" last year and he's an absolute slam dunk with skilled, artistic, well-written and even better performed rap. In one of his older songs, he says "I'll know I made it when I go skating with Aesop Rock."

[@ConlanHale]

Vermont's premier MC

[@gregoryfisher8356]

Regarding the "out of the bag" sequence, I'd taken it as more using the original cat o' nine tails meaning of the term. So, Aes illustrates a feeling of recognition that pain is incoming combined with an admiration for the very instrument about to inflict it. It's the same feeling that the line "the machinery could eat us, we just really love our buttons" later gives much more directly. Anyway. Great review. Unpacking Aes always takes time.

[@Toksaeone]

For now I am just gonna like your video for the title! ;)

[@unco_pk_traceur7748]

another thing - like you said with the Solid Gold lead-in, this is a cohesive, proper album with a proper listening order. also as you said its Too Long but also has no filler. and so i think its definitely able to challenge for album of the year :3

[@oh718]

Awesome video, nobody else talkin about this album rn and it’s so perfect, nailed the breakdown 🤙

[@meredithcerrato9972]

Amazing commentary on a true genius. I've been listening since early Def Jux days, and there is NO ONE who continues to get better with age than Aes. An absolute legend.

[@TotalKaosEntertainment]

This was a cool review, definitely going to watch more of your stuff. This feels like a long form Fantano video to me. If you haven't listened to The Impossible Kid by Aesop Rock, you're missing out. IMO it's his best album. So many good songs on here, and I think it was the start of him allowing himself to "be silly" in a way. Also another album I'd be interested to hear you review is Art of War by Bone Thugs N Harmony.

[@kenpachikenpo2697]

Love to see AEs get his flowers from anyone. Been a bit of a fanatic since 2007 through all musical phases of my life. He is a true one of a kind artist in the true sense.

[@RavenousCatalyst594]

So STOKED when i saw u did another Aesop video!!! ur 1 of 3 reactors i kept looking for ur next vid. ur thoughts on aes's art & ur joy in the wonder it causes got me hopin u'd pump out weekly aes reactions LOL! had me watiing A YEAR??? ..WORTH It !!! THE PARTS u highlight & the variety of reasons u highlight certain lines, r soooo COOLY UNEXPECTED! it's ART TOO. @34:30 'pigeonometry...is it canibus reference?' think it's a Vast Aire & Cannibal Ox ref. Cannibal Ox was 1st album el-p prod at age 19 & arguably top 10 most innovative albums in the evolution of underground lyrics & production. a song called Pigeon on the album & many refs to em, usu from VastAire who Aes collabed w/ alot, like in Iron Galaxy, "Lack of mineral, we take it personal, A PIGEON can't drop shit if it never flew" in Pigeon Vast's verse is, 'In this frigid fragile capsule That allows u to fly south b4 the winter winds trap u ...I'm just a PIGEON w/ 1 mile left That doggy-paddles thru this bullshit ocean of death & these rags-to-riches words will break bones Like the assassination of 2 birds w/ 1 stone"

[@f.demascio1857]

Three of my favorite Aes lyrics; "Territorial organisms, glorifying our poor decisions." "I've been ignored for longer than youve been interested. " "We cannot be trusted with the stuff we come up with."

[@solomonaugust2620]

Love Aes been listening to him for about 20 yrs now along with the other defjux artists.Atmosphere and all the artists on rhymsayers. Sometimes a song or line in a song I've been listening to for years from Aes will suddenly make sense because my perspective in life has changed. Also someone in the comments mentioned Deca, he's super underrated and Sadistik never gets enough love.Haunted gardens, Bring me back when the world is cured and this years Oblivion theatre all amazing.

[@jbliv831]

Wow. Great review. I'm still listening. It needs to be heard by every popular rapper and their fans in this age. Engage, feel the rage on the same page or disengage. Nevermind

[@robertmarshall5997]

AVAA I look forward to you reviewing the Aesop albums just as much as I do buying them... The lyrical content is so dense , have you ever considered doing like a 30 minute video for each track?

[@RideorDieRob]

You have reviewed Run the Jewels. While I'm not how much influence they had, I'm sure El-P has produced most all of that content. As well as all of his previous Solo work. Keep in mind, Aesop used to be on Def Jux, the label that was owned by none other than EL-P.

[@porcupotomus]

Aes credits both Blockhead and El-P for teaching him production

[@eseterik78]

I believe he has covered run the jewels once...

[@jaredpeterson9459]

i love new philadelphia! i’m about an hour from schuylkill county (btw, it’s pronounced school-cull, a classic hard pennsylvania name), and there’s a lot of beautiful hiking spots out that way.

[@trevor1550]

AVAA!! One self produced rap album you didn’t talk about was “Man Plays the Horn” by Cities Aviv. Even tho it isn’t technically entirely self produced, with four tracks having other producers, it is an amazing experimental rap album with smart sampling and heady raps. One of my favorite rap albums of the last few years.

[@ITheDocumentariansI]

I usually hate music reviews and steer clear of them so I have no idea why I clicked on this video but... fantastic my man. Enjoyed it thoroughly. No filler. The amount of joy this album brings me is unbelievable and I'm glad other people enjoy just as much. Great stuff.

[@danahgaz]

Subscribed because of this review. Prof produces a lot of his own tracks. I can't say for certain that he did all the production on Horse, but he did most of it. AVAA

[@XxChubbs22]

I appreciate this breakdown it's really insightful to some of the references I couldn't get or find so easily on my own. I come from a mixed family of immigrants and native americans. The song vitticus and black snow have been really emotional for me. I wouldn't have understood the lithuaninan connections though but, yeah it could be any grandma from many cultures past that suffered so hard to see us succeed. I think the last song is Aes telling us he don't need the money or the fame but he will enjoy it while it lasts. He is appreciative of the fans and the people like you who take the time to understand and support his art. I don't think aes feels like Van Gogh right now I think he feels like mike tyson in the ring against a glass joe.( which i think represents money and success). Glass Joe did beat someone once by accident. He has a high score. He's on top in his mind and grateful for it.... I think haha to each their own though. Again thanks for this breakdown.

[@TheAutomaton37]

1st time listener, saw Skye name dropped somewhere else. Great review. Sends location. I subscribe. Had to come back to finish...*phenomenal review. Definitely going through the archives

[@professorskye]

Thanks’

[@aaronbernal3117]

I’ve been listening to asop sense I was 16 I’m 37 and I’m still listening the impossible kid album Made me cry it’s a hella vibe

[@tangomike3681]

Impossible kid gets a playthrough once a week since it's been out for me. To me that album is perfection.

[@smokegrapes]

Bruh almost exact same time line but 16 and im 36 now. And impossible kid was the first time i was able to get anyone i knew to like and listen and become a fan of his music, and to me its his best album with no skips needed

[@smokegrapes]

@@tangomike3681 same.. “Question.. If i died in my apartment like a rat in a cage” that goes so hard ahhh i feel lucky to be a fan. Like its a secret membership or something

[@jamesdaniel2986]

AVAA! I have only heard Aesop Rock’s first album in full. A few other songs here and there. He’s good from what I’ve heard. Though, I’ve never felt super connected to his work unlike others in a similar space, such as MF DOOM (who, yes, I hope you do get into eventually!!). Never been super motivated to go much more into his discography. Maybe your thoughts on this project will inspire me to do a deeper dive. You have a way of explaining things, both in works I like and dislike, that have me walking away with a deeper appreciation for it.

[@jamesdaniel2986]

Ooh… and even if it’s great I can’t imagine it beats STH by Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA for self produced record of the year.

[@losxdescabezados]

​@@jamesdaniel2986I haven't listened to either of those two but ITS is no slouch! Let me know your verdict between the three, please!

[@dougscholz]

Great review.

[@theAFTERLIFEboy]

I just heard it for the first time yesterday and I agree with you. I also agree with you on your thoughts about deer , pigeons etc. Those are awesome songs and animals.

[@vokin6317]

great album, one of my favorites of this year i'd say this still stands as my third favorite Aes album, behind None Shall Pass and The Impossible Kid The production and socially poignant/hard-hitting personal songs in those are slightly more standout imo, and a bit more consistent

[@groovybones]

AVAA, loved the album and was really looking forward to this review. I think your wife is right and sweater looks nice. It matches your eyes!

[@ataridc]

My fav is Imp Kid and Malibu Ken, but I loved this album. Gotta listen a few more times, because it's pretty dense and all over the place even for Aes

[@LazyPro]

From the brainfarts to the insane art references, thanks for trying to define Aes without closing all the entrances. You could spend a whole month exploring all his quirks, maybe invite him for a podcast on how he invents words.. avaa

[@iriehiphopgirl]

You pretty much rhyme in your comment and I dig it

[@LazyPro]

@@iriehiphopgirl Aes made me do it lol

[@bigdeku8912]

I’m a huge Aesop Rock fan and this is a fantastic review. Thanks

[@AECommonThread2137]

I am so glad you kept up with this. AVAA

[@t.c.bramblett617]

I think this album is such a stylistic leap forward for him because he has really married the lyrics to the grooves in a way that makes these things flow like musical plays, not just like raps over beats. It is innovative and also funky as hell

[@trevorjones8969]

I just ordered the lp and can't wait to dive in. Not least because 'Spirit World Field Guide' is such a favourite of mine. Incidentally, as a Brit, I'm old enough to remember my grandma and her peers saying, in small town Lincolnshire, about any perceived criminal, 'they should get the cat o' nine tails'. So much so, I believed that this was a public thing that had happened in our town, much like public hangings had. Frightening! AVAA. Just for the loves.

[@CliffSedge-nu5fv]

The nine-tailed cat was definitely a thing: flagellation by the scourge.

[@CesarSanchezfool]

This is easily the best review video I’ve watched. I’m depth with a clear understanding (which isn’t always easy when it comes to Aesop Rock)

[@StonedFishing315]

Just found you! i enjoy what you do! AVAA! keep doing what you do! " if link had a long shot his arm would be dislocated"! lol

[@chronic_johnson_a.r.a.b]

In regards to what you're describing about his storytelling on the Pigeon song, you should absolutely check out his song "Rings", as he does the same thing on the subject of dropping creative pursuits but even better and in a far more soul-crushing way. Going into great detail about his former passions for drawing and painting that were lost along the way as life gets busier and more cluttered. You can hear how passionate he is about these hobbies which makes it devastating when it's raised that the daily grind devours these passions and leaves us souless and disconnected from what we really care about.

[@jakethesnake1023]

I believe that anyone who appreciates Aesop can also appreciate Sadistik. They approach writing differently but with beautiful results. Sadistik makes darker music that tends to be too depressing for some people but its so beautiful. His album "Haunted Gardens" is one of the best examples of what he can do. The way he writes has always fascinated me. Some random quotes from him that i love (there are many lol) "Somehow, you turn silence to symphonies/Violence to riveting and moments to years/Or so it appears, when the lights of the city gleam/I can do anything" "Maybe one day I'll learn to cease my fire, I hope you're still there when I seek Asylum" "We’re feeling cosmic when we talk amidst the lost and found/Revealing sonnets when my heart emits staccato sounds". He's much different than Aesop in many ways but I am always in awe of both equally as writers. The influence of Sylvia Plath on Sadistik becomes very apparent after hearing a few of his projects.

[@solomonaugust2620]

Love Sadistik. Oblivion theatre is so good. Bring me back when the world is cured was amazing. Just keeps getting better with each album.

[@masonshattuck6217]

AVAA I would love to hear your thoughts on MIKE’s new album Burning Desire. It’s a great album, might not be my favorite be him but it really is a great showcase of how great of an artist MIKE is. Edit: I see that you are aware of Burning Desire, that hint was hilarious.

[@boofstinkerton9904]

Hey Prof, I think you would really love going back to Aesop Rock's older stuff after connecting with this album, primarily Labor Days and The Impossible Kid. His storytelling and ability to create visuals with his words are unmatched. Daylight is my all time favourite song, hoping to maybe hear your thoughts on these albums at some point! AVAA

[@rohxn6988]

7:36 HEY LOL YOU SAID BURNING DESIRE! You should review that album! MIKE made it all. Amazing album top 5 this year for sure

[@loustarski420]

El p's solo albums will also blow you away. Would love to hear you pointificate on these masterclasses of hip hop. Avaa

[@natesofa]

6:50 - 7:37 To What End by Oddisee. "It was released on January 20, 2023 through Outer Note Label. Production was handled by Oddisee himself, except for the song "Bartenders", which was co-produced by Dunc."

[@leftistLizard92]

Thank you for your insights. Certainly elevates an already brilliant album.

[@supxrkicks560]

avaa. i mentioned it a while back, but quannnic released his new album "Stepdream" last week. i've been listening to it a bit since and i think it's a pretty strong alternative rock album, would love to hear your thoughts on it.

[@guywhoisnotbob]

Massive Aesop Rock fan here. Heard Hail Mary Mallon at a friend’s house about a decade ago and finally got into rap. Wonderful to hear you connect with this album. Perfectly normal to not connect immediately or with every track. It’s far more complex than one reason or another’s; it’s where you are when it the right thing hits you. That’s said, I’d like to recommend a different, fully independent artist I think you’d enjoy. Reaction or no, queue up Rishloo’s “Living as Ghosts with Buildings as Teeth” (at least the first 3 tracks). No expectations.

[@JohnnyZBeatZ]

This might be in my top 5 favorite albums of this year I been listening to it a lot since a came out this album is incredible

[@tetralux2798]

Bauhaus is also a band. Could be that he is referencing them and making the separation by specifically referencing brutalist architecture.

[@MortisRocksalt]

Bismarck Bismarck suggestion - Electricity is on Our Side by Busdriver

[@GeorgeCantDrift]

You need to check out dark time sunshine (Or Onry Ozzborn's solo stuff) or EL-P if you haven't, I think those two are the closest to how Aesop Rock's music makes me research or pick up a dictionary on most his songs lol

[@SmokerBuddy]

New to your channel but AVAA, lol; I'm gonna trust that your other videos are as enjoyable as this one. GREAT SHIT. I've been listening to Aesop Rock since his early EPs, Music for Earthworms and Appleseed ('98 and '99, respectively, found through early ass internet message boards about underground Hip-Hop) and one of my favorite things about Aesop Rock is his range of emotion and theme; he's one of the few rappers that have made me cry and the first time I think was on the hidden track of his Daylight EP, "One of Four," where he raps in depth about the nervous breakdown he suffered just before he was supposed to go on his first big tour with DEF JUX and the four main people that helped him through it. "Ruby 81" from Skelethon is another great piece of storytelling that, in many ways similar to "Aggressive Stephen," really gets you immersed in the characters they portray and both definitely made me cry ("Ruby 81" still does, every time I hear it). As far as mainstream rap albums that are self-produced, I'd say Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt both deserve some credit there. Also, EL-P, who others have mentioned in these comments and who you mentioned in the video, is DEFINITELY worth looking at (if you haven't already, of course). I'll Sleep When You're Dead and Cancer 4 Cure are both suuuuuper dope. Also, yeah, it's pretty fuckin weird that Astro and Scooby-Doo talk the same-- the fuck was that about??

[@cocoq10]

Just curious what internet message boards cause this is where I found out about Aes in around 2000 I think... in the message boards of Bolt and SpitBoxer lol man if it wasn't for those I would have never ever heard of this guy cause I never met a real Aes head in the wild and dont really hear much talk about him other than other Aes fans online

[@SmokerBuddy]

​@@cocoq10 Damn, I wish I remembered which message boards but I wanna say SpitBoxer rings a bell? It's been so long and I've done a lot of drugs since then, so I commend your memory, lol. I was lucky to have an older brother that took me to the SF Bay Area a lot in the late nighties and early aughts; he eventually became the photographer for The Living Legends and I'd be able to see a lot of really fuckin dope shows by being related to him, haha; that would be one of the big ways I'd find out about new underground stuff. My brother recently did The Legends photos for their comeback album that drops this year, matter of fact. So many great rappers from back then that I still wonder about to this day, just so many lost to the years. Glad Aesop Rock stood the test of time because, goddamn, he's just gotten better and better with time.

[@unco_pk_traceur7748]

first i wanna say i am very happy when you read this Professor :3 very big fan and was first drawn to your channel by an Aesop review when i was gauging what people who appreciate music thought about Spirit World Field Guide. gonna say i was a bit disappointed in your overall outlook on Aesop and how it seemed ya didnt really get the appeal or the main idea and reduced it to him talking about drugs and hallucinogens - to my Aesop-trained rap mind it was pretty obvious it was about recovering from a period of alienation and venturing out to experience life and its highs and lows as if it is all a big trip to continue with that idea i would say this isnt his "best" or super distinct from anything else he's done or whatever, though of course ge gets better every time at communicating /with exactitude/ what hes going for. Though he has songs in the past that are just crazy unsubtle, he seems to get more thoroughly transparent with every album. on that, i would not agree with you that technology is a tertiary theme. i think its more a framing device. every idea and song and verse and line fits in with the framing of "technology" as he lays out in Mindful Solutionism, where it sort of stresses how ridiculous and narrow and silly “technology” as a concept even is in the capitalist sense of evolution. The themes you recognise are of course major themes but i think its useful to not think of it as a bait and switch and write it off as that but instead look at them through this lens of basically taking the piss out of “technology” and contrasting it against all the incredibly human moments and humanist ideas throughout, while demonstrating how pervasive it is in our life. Its like you said about the theme of appreciating things around you - and its sort of another thing with how you’ve come to appreciate Aesop only now, where i have to be like that “always has been” meme (as i said SWFG was all about this) so i have been an Aesop fan since 2013 when i was still nearly a kid and have to say he is my favourite (yea a white guy having a white favourite rapper..... what of it.) basically for all the reasons this album has allowed you to come to appreciate him, and for me its maybe on a slightly more intimate level just from properly osmosisising all his past work with my developing mind. i wouldnt say anything crazy and sacrilegious to the art form as saying hes the GOAT. i think you properly have to be one of the voice-given voiceless you talk about to qualify there. But he’s definitely my favourite. All this to say - i think you absolutely need to revisit Aesop’s past work in relation to the ideas you’ve picked out in this review, especially: * Bent Life - documenting the voiceless and marginalised SINCE 2001 MAN HOLY SHIT I DIDNT EVEN REALISE * Holy Smokes - another absolute must listen to understand him and what hes doing in terms of social ideas. There is a direct and absolutely incredible link in Aes’ tapestry of ideas he’s weaved about religion up unto the song you were talking about a link to religion with (sorry i cannot be exact, i’m writing this comment from notes after the fact) as well as Vititus Thats the main body of what i wanna get across so i’ll just shoot from the hip shortly on my other notes about the review!! If thats ok As for the theme on what is an artist, thats incredibly perceptive and i would say its another idea absolutely riddled throughout his work. How to Make a Mummy is a little like this but you’ll find it all over the place. He’s a tapestry maker. Every song is a full art piece like no other artist bar one to my mind fully comprised of like you said absolutely nuts sentences and ways of thinking about things that noone else phrases as such (like you said!!! Exactly like Lupe Fiasco!!! I dont know how common that connection is either but i would assume it is super common among lyric-heads such as you and i) With how he subtly makes a dig at Trump its the most relatable to me and also one of the most frustrating things about Aes. he’s a massive crypto-marxist/communist and has been forever. “Crypto” only because he doesnt really do anything as cool as rappers such as Power Struggle (now that’s rap for the voiceless if you wanted to check them out). But also you cant really expect him to. And on this idea about Aes in case you want another brain wrinkle, to me it’s also pretty apparent or at least plausible that Salt and Pepper Squid is about revolution. Consider the hook through that frame of mind. Hes hungry and if we ever “made it” it would be RAINING this delicacy. As in everyone gets it, not just him. The revolutionary angst (yea all da way back since Labour Days at LEAST) is also a big part of sections of Garbology like Jazz Hands and Oh Fudge and That is Not A Wizard (which in itself as a song is sort of a proto-ITS and would fit near perfectly on this album - a wizard is not just making this all work, it’s a fucking atrocious machine) But really i absoluely urge you to go through his back-catalogue and even the albums you already reviewed again. since you got some connection to build off i think you will be a proper Aes Head and itll wrinkle your brain mad. AVAA Professor, til da next one… P.S. any one other than the beatles holy shit the boomers… to maybe connect in some way with how they feel a little tho, like….. Its a bit of a parallel because I feel with Aes albums as well as the Hozier album its sort of a reverse! Like i have thought so much about these and absorbed the music so much that hearing you voice your ideas on them almost flattens the art too much!!! However like you said on Pidgeonometry im inspired to talk about my thoughts after seeing your video and then just….. Absolutely cant. And so like Aes must with Davinci, I must cede my effort and say you are a wunderkind with your communication and should never stop no matter how many salty beatles fans pile in.. because I can only get across some sliver of complex idea through text as i am now and even then its not the most coherent!

[@psychrockvinyl]

Great review man, loved it. I only disagree about salt and pepper squid… this is one of the most jammable tracks ever! Thanks for making this man!

[@philtorrez4198]

Salt and pepper squid is probably my favorite instrumental.

[@billholb1974]

Black snow also could be a reference to a nuclear event ending all technology..

[@nimrod3934]

I wish you could do a Sadistik review. One of the greatest lyricist in my opinion. Oblivion Theater got recently released and is really good.

[@jamesoblivion]

There is actually one guest produce on ITS. Kyanite Toothpick was not produced by Aesop. But it is still, overall, a self-produced album.

[@newday8545]

Truly one of the reviews this year.

[@aschemusicreations]

The first thing I thought about the Mindful Solutionism beat, was an industrial size laser printer. The way it mechanically lurches back and forth, with an electronic hum and tick is brilliant. I can see the beat moving like a large chunk of industrial plastic.

[@BizarroJoe]

The beat on Mindful Solutionism makes me think of the KZbin channel Flop-o-tron. It's a series of hard drives wired together and they do covers of songs.

[@briankampsen]

Have you heard of Buck 65? He produces a lot of his own music, especially his last 3

[@f.demascio1857]

New to your channel. Came here via discussion on @theneedledrop. Long time Aes fan. Loved your take.

[@-AK-]

AVAA, have you looked into any Evidence records? He self produces too, Unlearning is super dope, I'm pretty sure a Vol. 2 of it is under the works. Also Atmosphere, there's a discography worth delving into if you haven't already. I tried looking it up to see if you've reviewed any of their albums, they're all consistently pretty good, although unlike Aesop I'd say Atmosphere's earlier stuff was better, although they're still evolving in ways too.

[@rileybrown1605]

If you want another GREAT album with a GREAT pigeon metaphor, check out “The Cold Vein” by Cannibal Ox. Entirely produced by El-P, who has been closely tied to Aesop Rock for most of both of their careers. AVAA Professor!

[@izzywatsun1935]

They need to collaborate again! There was a falling out when Camu Tao passed.😢

[@juegobuenoyomalo9501]

Black Mirror rap is a great way of putting it. As someone who also got very disconnected with rap, but can still connect with artists like Lupe and Aesop, I'm really enjoying the review

[@outkustmusic674]

And Lastly Please Review: Justoneart - Paradoxical State

[@xamdamCO]

Hadn't been here in awhile... what does AVAA mean?

[@acegardner4425]

Thank you Sir. This was so happy-making. Note on the Lithuanian community in Eastern Pennsylvania and the 'black snow'; did I hear right? That it's in ’SkyKill County'? Is this a place of much coal mining? Guh.. how could Aes have •not• become a poet?

[@ne_kitk_a]

AVAA )) Aesop never misses! Love from Siberia, even though I never seen a Black Snow here Speaking of self-produced artists I can come up with Rob Sonic, Doseone, Jonwayne. Also Deca, who< I belive, also paits his own cover art and sometimes animates his music videos

[@TheFamousMockingbird]

spot on, i think it is so good, i mean a brilliant album. billy woods feature is brilliant too. the song about his grandma is something that every human can relate too, robb sonic with his demonically odd flow i lovve it AVAA and check out the impossible kid, its just up there with this