Well I know there may be a low turnout if any at all tonight but I thought I'd get this started regardless.
My friend had recommended me Pomegranate, his previous album earlier this year but I never gave it the time I should have. When CC posted about This is Our Science, I dug into his catalog pretty hard.
This is his most concise, radio friendly album to date. As a longtime fan of underground/indie hip hop who lately had been turned off to the scene, this album has been a welcome surprise. It should be noted before the album is discussed, what an accomplished freestylist that Bothwell is. I look forward to seeing him in November where he will be performing with a full band as he has been on this tour.
Top to bottom, this album is stylistically diverse and lyrically superb, where his complete immersion in the theme of the album is readily apparent. With the exception of Midday Moon, I love this album top to bottom. It would be tough to pick favorites but I'd mention Holy Water as a high point with JT's nod to Tom Waits rapping being on point. Dimitri Mendeleev and Measure the Globe are also great.
I hope that some have the time to give this great album a fair shake and look forward to hearing other viewpoints.
EDIT: This is on Spotify but PM me if anyone would like me to up this
I figured this would be an album with crossover possibility for those that are hesitant to check out any hip hop because of Bothwell's expansive musical palette allowing him to seamlessly fuse numerous styles while demonstrating his vocal versatility.
I've listened to the album 3 or 4 times since it was announced for this week. It's funny how you can almost forget you're listening to rap music while you're listening to it. And I like a pretty decent amount of rap, but this isn't like most of the stuff I listen to. Definitely a successive-listen record, getting better with time. Also, the style is so eclectic, there's something for almost anybody. I have friends whose musical tastes are almost polar opposites of mine, but this is one where some common ground might be found. I recommended it to them, but I'm still awaiting reply.
Quote from: YimBlaylock on Oct 19, 2011, 08:44 PM
I've listened to the album 3 or 4 times since it was announced for this week. It's funny how you can almost forget you're listening to rap music while you're listening to it. And I like a pretty decent amount of rap, but this isn't like most of the stuff I listen to. Definitely a successive-listen record, getting better with time. Also, the style is so eclectic, there's something for almost anybody. I have friends whose musical tastes are almost polar opposites of mine, but this is one where some common ground might be found. I recommended it to them, but I'm still awaiting reply.
Cool man! What you said is definitely why I threw this one out there. Nice to here other hip hop fans are on this board. Don't forget about the Crate Diggin' thread. The new Evidence is pretty nice.
I'll be here to drop the needle at 930
http://lyrics.wikia.com/Astronautalis:This_Is_Our_Science_%282011%29 (http://lyrics.wikia.com/Astronautalis:This_Is_Our_Science_%282011%29)
hip hop fan here so giving this a shot. I'm not sure if i'd even categorize strictly as hip hop.
Quote from: ManNamedTruth on Oct 19, 2011, 09:35 PM
hip hop fan here so giving this a shot. I'm not sure if i'd even categorize strictly as hip hop.
definitely not...who knows what to call it. post hip hop/indie rock
I'm just glad you didn't pick Das Racist.
The actual tone of his voice took a bit of acquiring for me to get to used to, but from the start of "The River, The Woods," I was immediately blown away by this guy's flow. I've always had the problem of, unless I'm making a conscious effort to listen to the lyrics, I usually tune them out and focus more on the music than on the words (similar to "The Way that He Sings"), so when it comes to rap, flow is the main appeal for me. And this guy's got it.
This Is Our Science reminds me of TV On The Radio.
EDIT:
the song that is, just to be clear
Quote from: YimBlaylock on Oct 19, 2011, 09:36 PM
The actual tone of his voice took a bit of acquiring for me to get to used to, but from the start of "The River, The Woods," I was immediately blown away by this guy's flow. I've always had the problem of, unless I'm making a conscious effort to listen to the lyrics, I usually tune them out and focus more on the music than on the words (similar to "The Way that He Sings"), so when it comes to rap, flow is the main appeal for me. And this guy's got it.
Couldn't agree more man, particularly when it comes to me listening to the Jacket. With this guy though, I can't get enough of his lyrics and yeah, he can straight flow
spotify isnt playing in correct song order, anyone know how to fix that?
Quote from: ManNamedTruth on Oct 19, 2011, 09:39 PM
spotify isnt playing in correct song order, anyone know how to fix that?
nah, you cold just go individually i guess. thanks captain obvious. I'll shut up.
The bluesy/jazzy piano in Thomas Jefferson is KILLER!
I couldn't tell you dear, which one whispers in my ear,
the Devil or St. Andrew... but I know its time to go.
I'm sure you've got a great theory,
if I'm hunting something or its haunting me,
I know there ain't no right way to measure the globe,
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 09:42 PM
The bluesy/jazzy piano in Thomas Jefferson is KILLER!
Agreed. I love this track. He's going at it so hard. For whatever reason, I get the feeling this guy is like the epitome of cool. I wouldn't necessarily like to meet the people from ALL the bands I like, cause I don't know what I'd say to them other than "Oh I'm such a fan, you're music's awesome." But this guy would be really cool to talk to, I'm almost certain of it.
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 09:42 PM
The bluesy/jazzy piano in Thomas Jefferson is KILLER!
And then transition to the soothing piano on Measure the Globe. This album's fantastic. I'm loving it more and more just talking with you all about it.
Quote from: YimBlaylock on Oct 19, 2011, 09:47 PM
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 09:42 PM
The bluesy/jazzy piano in Thomas Jefferson is KILLER!
And then transition to the soothing piano on Measure the Globe. This album's fantastic. I'm loving it more and more just talking with you all about it.
:thumbsup:
"Give me a lever, and a place to stand, and I'll move the world."
You think you're clever, but you never, seen how it really works,^WHen he switches over to this voice in Mendeleev, it reminds me of Lyrics Born
Mendeleev is sick! Periodic Table rap baby! He switches flow and vocals so badass!
I like his range of vocal styles.
Midday Moon is my favorite track so far.
I kinda dumped on Midday Moon in my intro but it has its moments. I think it's the whisper rap over the soul clap beat in the beginning that bugged me
Yeah, Contrails is the hit ready track with Tegan but there are some damn fine lyrics in that tune. And yeah, Holy Water is the Holy Grail of this album IMO
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 09:57 PM
I kinda dumped on Midday Moon in my intro but it has its moments. I think it's the whisper rap over the soul clap beat in the beginning that bugged me
Hasn't really struck me right just yet. I have the feeling it might eventually so I'll continue to give it listens, but something about it just turns me off. Feels like the album would've flowed a lot a better it if would've gone from "Dimitri Mendeleev" to "Contrails" IMO.
Yea Holy Water is pretty sick. Olly olly oxen free!
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 10:01 PM
Yeah, Contrails is the hit ready track with Tegan but there are some damn fine lyrics in that tune. And yeah, Holy Water is the Holy Grail of this album IMO
Yeah, after my first listen, the two songs that stuck with me were "Thomas Jefferson" and "Holy Grail." "Grail" is so, so, so good. The Tom Waits and Modest Mouse references are right on. What a song.
Quote from: YimBlaylock on Oct 19, 2011, 10:04 PM
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 10:01 PM
Yeah, Contrails is the hit ready track with Tegan but there are some damn fine lyrics in that tune. And yeah, Holy Water is the Holy Grail of this album IMO
Yeah, after my first listen, the two songs that stuck with me were "Thomas Jefferson" and "Holy Grail." "Grail" is so, so, so good. The Tom Waits and Modest Mouse references are right on. What a song.
"Water"
Its not a bad life to live making out all day,
Living off the food and drinks inside the vending machines.
The sun's wide awake she rode off on her bike alone,
I never saw here again, we never speak.
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 10:06 PM
Quote from: YimBlaylock on Oct 19, 2011, 10:04 PM
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 10:01 PM
Yeah, Contrails is the hit ready track with Tegan but there are some damn fine lyrics in that tune. And yeah, Holy Water is the Holy Grail of this album IMO
Yeah, after my first listen, the two songs that stuck with me were "Thomas Jefferson" and "Holy Grail." "Grail" is so, so, so good. The Tom Waits and Modest Mouse references are right on. What a song.
"Water"
Haha. Oops. You're comment's got me all confused.
Good stuff! Thanks guys :beer:
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 10:18 PM
Good stuff! Thanks guys :beer:
Back at ya Ruckus. I'm giving it another listen while I do some homework. This one's gonna be in rotation for a while.
Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 19, 2011, 10:18 PM
Good stuff! Thanks guys :beer:
:beer:
cheers ruckus!
Whoa it's Wednesday night again already??? Well when I first saw CC post about this, the album art intrigued me, and I gave a half-listen to a few songs. Wasn't caught right off the bat, but will definitely give another listen here soon. I really do like some hip hop these days, it just used to come in waves of wanting to hear it and get into that vibe..... and I haven't had a hip hop wave in a minute.
Love to keep an open mind to all though, and will definitely give it a listen!! :)
Quote from: woodnymph on Oct 19, 2011, 10:44 PM
Whoa it's Wednesday night again already??? Well when I first saw CC post about this, the album art intrigued me, and I gave a half-listen to a few songs. Wasn't caught right off the bat, but will definitely give another listen here soon. I really do like some hip hop these days, it just used to come in waves of wanting to hear it and get into that vibe..... and I haven't had a hip hop wave in a minute.
Love to keep an open mind to all though, and will definitely give it a listen!! :)
Definitely don't pigeonhole it as hip hop Jen. I actually think you might enjoy the lyrics quite a bit. (Wishful thinking?) He's quite the wordsmith. Look forward to your take :)
I really hated to miss this. My grandmother is having some serious health issues so my nights are a little hectic right now. I was checking in from my phone and wanted to chime in, but it's kind of pain from the phone...
Anyway, I thought Ruckus' desciption of the album was spot on. Except I don't mind Midday Moon. I would add "The River, The Woods" as stand-out, as well. Just like Blaylock said, I was immediately blown away from the second that song started.
QuoteThe actual tone of his voice took a bit of acquiring for me to get to used to
I agree. As much as I hate to compare him to Eminiem (for obvious reasons) there is a similar tone to their voices. To be clear, I think Eminem is great (particularly his older stuff), but I didn't want this to be the same. Luckily, other than them both being a little nasally (and white) the similarities end.
I liked the comment that he seems cool or whatever it was. In reading a little about him on his site, he does seem like a very sincere dude. I love on Holy Water his inhale through his nose then his almost growl-like"yeaaaaah". You can tell he was just feeling it right there.
Woody, I'm the same way with hip hop... I love it, but it comes in phases. Even though, like Rob said, you can't pigeonhole this as hip hop, it has definitely put me back in a hip hop phase. 8)
Anyway, I'm hoping to see him next Tuesday. I'm really looking forward to seeing him with a band. I'll let you all know (hopefully) how it goes.
Late to the discussion as I've been cramming Divine Providence since I'm seeing the Tick tonight. Gave this a listen once through yesterday and I'm digging it. I'll have to echo several of ya'lls comments. This dude's definitely got lyrical talent. Didnt have a chance to really digest all the lyrics as I listened at work and cant crank the volume like I would at home. I agree that the vocals have a similar characteristic to Eminem, but these are two very different styles in my opinion. I love the fact that he tours with a live band, I bet it's a pretty badass show. Anyway, I'll comment more once I can give this a couple more listens.
After reading some about him and his nomadic living, I love the line from Dimitri Mendeleev, "I'm made of mountains, made of metal, made of whiskey and waves". 8)
This show is Tuesday night and I have a meeting at 7am Wednesday morning. I feel lke shit is getting stacked against me on this one. Probably just make me try that much harder to go.
this does look like a grand time!
Astronautalis - Holy Water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-royFbi2uc#ws)
Should be fun. We got a group of 6 going including my best friend from Chicago who'll be visiting for 5 days. Really looking forward to it. 7:00am meeting?!
"Measure the Globe" (feat. Ceschi) live from The Proper Barbershop in LA. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xREgc5a0HrE#ws)
Astronautalis - "The Case for William Smith" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s-HK6Sz67U#ws)
Astronautalis - Dimitri Mendeleev LIVE HD DETROIT 09.29.11 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMKlJcNvn1I#ws)
I listened to Pomegranate when it came out a few years ago, maybe not even the entire album, and Astronautalis was real hit or miss for me. I'll have to revisit that now, but for as genrebending as this is musically, there really wasnt a song here that I didnt like and the album was a good listen. Im going to have to give this many more listens to really get a feel for the lyrics, and even favorite songs as nothing really stood out but that has more to do with how solid the whole album is (maybe The River The Woods, Dimitri Medeleev, Holy Water, and Secrets of Our Lips). I guess Midday Moon might have been my least favorite but I still liked it. It felt to me the more rap-heavy songs were the first few, but I could be wrong. Im not sure if that was by plan or not, but I think once you get to Measure the Globe, the rest of the album is even more diverse both lyrically and musically. I agree with what others said in here that when he's not rapping, there were numerous times that I thought it sounded like TV On The Radio and at other times Modest Mouse. It seemed like most people who listened (including myself) actually like hip hop, so its a shame more people who dont like it didnt give it listen. Id be interested in their thoughts. Good point by YimBlaylock that you almost forget youre listening to rap with this album.
This looks like another one that might have a shot at my top 10 this year along with Frank Turner once I give each enough listens to have a better idea :beer: