Album Review: 'Unexpected Guests'

With the hard copy release being a week away, I figured I'd post my impressions of DOOM's 'Unexpected Guests' album.

Upon initially reading the official press release & track list a couple months back, I wasn't overly excited for this compilation. Actually, the first thing that popped into my mind was "cash grab". The retail version of the album leaked at the beginning of last week, and I've been listening to it pretty steadily since then.

I can't front... I'm really feelin' this release. The track selection is pretty impressive when you're listening to the album, and has a ton of joints that you've probably forgotten about or haven't heard that bang. Tracks like "Fly That Knot", "Sorcerers", "Quite Buttery" & "Project Jazz"; some dope DOOM shit that is mostly forgotten.

Another refreshing track on the album is the original version of "Angels" from 2006. I'm not sure about any of you, but I'd become accustomed to the version on 'BORN LIKE THIS.' since it was released. I still prefer the OG, sounds so much smoother than the BLT version.

The album also features a handful of recently release DOOM collabos since the villain made his return last year. "Sniper Elite", "Fire Wood Drumstykx", "The Unexpected" & "Black Gold", which I'm sure everybody on here has recently listened to, and would say are good selections to include on a DOOM collabo compilation.

The mixing may be what impressed me the most. Track to track transitions are flawless... I probably shouldn't have been expecting anything less, though. I can't stand when mix albums are mixed shitty; makes them unlistenable.

The only real whack shit on the album is the live version of "I Hear Voices". The press release said it was an unheard live version of "I Hear Voices"; it's taken from the 'Live from Planet X' recording. But here's where it gets really whack: even though it's the version from 'Live from Planet X', they decided to lift the track from that illroots.com "DOOMED" mixtape released in '08... and with about 10 seconds remaining in the track you hear a DJ Drop "ill roots dot com". How's that shit happen?

Overall, I really like this release, even though I'd been planning on skipping it. The only disappointment was at the end of the album, which I wrote about above. I'll be copping a hard copy when it's released next week, and the digital version was released on iTunes today (link on the right side), which includes a tracked version as well as a single track 49 minute mix version.

Official Website: DOOM - Unexpected Guests


- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

DOOM compilation scheduled for October release

Let me start off by stating that pictures of DOOM performing at Monolith this past Saturday will be up on the blog later today.

Now, the real news.

Back at the beginning of the year, we heard straight from Dumile himself that he'd have more releases later on this year. Well, the year has blinked by, and with only a few months left, we've received nothing.

Yesterday, an official DOOM compilation album was announced. The album will be comprised of collaboration tracks, and an unheard live version of "I Hear Voices". The compilation, cleverly titled 'Unexpected Guests', is slated for an October 27 release.


Official press release:

DOOM gathers Unexpected Guests

DOOM: Unexpected Guests (10/27, Gold Dust)

A collection of non-album tracks, guest features & exclusives selected and mixed by the Super Villain himself.

DOOM is one of the most original and uncompromising voices in hip-hop. From his work in the 90's with the seminal KMD to his legendary releases under a variety of aliases including MF Doom, Madvillain, King Geedorah, Viktor Vaughn, Dangerdoom & more, his prolific body of work has always valued artistic integrity and creativity over anything else. As numerous and varied as his albums are, DOOM also has a thick catalog of guest appearances, remixes, non-album tracks, & vinyl only singles. For the first time, Unexpected Guest presents many of these hard to find tracks as a mix CD, executed and overseen by the Super Villain himself.

With a list of co-conspirators which includes marquee level names such as Talib Kweli, Ghostface & GZA as well as underground heroes Vast Aire, CountBass D & Kurius, the music on this disc highlights DOOM's ever-present trademark wit and taste for raw and ominous beats. On "Trap Door," he spits couplets like "No curse words / DOOM the worst church nerd verse heard" over a plucked bass and guitar line from producer Jake One that sounds like the funkiest spy movie soundtrack imaginable. "Sniper Elite" sees the emcee united with the late J Dilla, and is one of the many tracks featured that has yet to see an official CD release. The album will also feature a never before heard live version of DOOM's classic "I Hear Voices" from the Operation Doomsday album.

Peppered with his signature comic book dialogue and vintage sound clips, Unexpected Guests presents a treasure trove of DOOM obscurities which should shed light on material that even some hardcore fans may have missed. It's a frenetic, virtuosic look at a true hip-hop original.

Tracklist (Final tracks and running order TBA)
1. Get 'Er Done feat. DOOM - Jake One
2. Fly That Knot feat. DOOM - Talib Kweli
3. Sniper Elite feat. DOOM - Dilla Ghostface DOOM
4. Trap Door feat. DOOM - Jake One
5. Sorcerers feat. DOOM & Invizible Handz - John Robinson
6. Da Supafriendz - Vast Aire
7. Quite Buttery - Count Bass D feat DOOM
8. ? - DOOM featuring Kurious
9. All Outta Ale - DOOM
10. E.N.Y. House - Masta Killa
11. Bells of DOOM - DOOM
12. My Favorite Ladies - DOOM
13. Street Corners (Remix) - Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck & GZA

For More Information, Check Out:
http://www.doom-unexpectedguests.com/
http://www.golddust-media.com
http://www.myspace.com/mfdoom

Stephen Bolles
!K7 • Strut • Gold Dust • Rapster
stephen@k7.com - 718-722-9935x11
17 Old Fulton St. 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201

- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

Ghostface/DOOM album supposedly coming soon

Shouts out to reader Machiventa for the information:

"Nature Sounds responded to a message I sent that the Ghost Doom album is almost done and they'll be announcing the album soon"

Hopefully Nature Sounds is not bullshitting and gets this album out soon. DOOM himself has said it was close to being done when asked about it in interviews leading up to the release of 'BORN LIKE THIS.", so lets hope we get it before the end of '09.


- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

Toney Starks claims to have finished his parts of 'Swift and Changeable'

In a recent interview, Ghostface Killah was asked about the status of 'Swift & Changeable', his long awaited collaboration album with MF DOOM. Here's what he had to say...

Speaking of villains, is your collaboration with MF DOOM [Swift and Changable] ever going to come out?

I just finished all my parts to the album, so it’ll come out soon enough.

Ghostface was also asked about the "DOOMposter" situation which had been going on:

What's your opinion on DOOM's sending a lip-synching imposter to perform at his shows?

I never heard that... I don’t think that’s true, but you know somebody must be under the mask. That shit’s crazy.

I guess Ghost hasn't read any of the new DOOM interviews...

[To read the entire interview with Ghostface Killah, click here]

- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

Ghostface Killah & DOOM - "Chinatown Wars" single now available through iTunes

A few days ago we hit you with both the original & remix of the new Ghostface & DOOM collaboration track "Chinatown Wars". Both of the tracks are now officially available through the iTunes Store, along with the instrumental. (For those who still support the artists they're fans of)

- Click image below for the link to the "Chinatown Wars" single @ the iTunes Store -


- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

Track of the Day : Ghostface & DOOM - "Chinatown Wars" [Produced by Oh No]

We told y'all awhile ago about this track, and here it is!

DJ Premier played it on his show, so that's the explanation for the drops & scratching on it.

Enjoy!

PS -- Don't worry, we'll be sure to hit you with the CDQ when it drops.

DOWNLOAD: Ghostface Killah & DOOM - "Chinatown Wars" [Produced by Oh No]

UPDATE: Well, that didn't take long. Here you go, CDQ original and remix.

DOWNLOAD: Ghostface Killah & DOOM - "Chinatown Wars"
DOWNLOAD: Ghostface Killah & DOOM - "Chinatown Wars (Remix)"


- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

Stones Throw confirms new Ghost/DOOM track produced by Oh No

Last week we broke the news that a new Ghostface Killah & MF DOOM track produced by Oh No was going to be featured in the new Grand Theft Auto video game, and is currently being used in the trailer.

Record label Stones Throw confirmed in their latest newsletter that the track will soon be released:

"Oh No x Ghostface x DOOM a new track for some video game...MP3 soon."

We also provided the snippet of the track which is featured in the trailer for download last week, but I guess somebody (*cough* ST *cough*) found it necessary to take it down, so here it is again.

DOWNLOAD: Oh No x Ghostface x DOOM - "GTA: Chinatown Wars (Snippet)'

It's 30 seconds that can be heard in the trailer, no DOOM verse, no hook... is it really that serious for people to have?


- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

DOWNLOAD: 5-track 'BORN LIKE THIS.' CD Sampler

The 5-track CD Sampler for DOOM's 'BORN LIKE THIS.' from Lex Records is up for download.

DOWNLOAD: MF DOOM - 'BORN LIKE THIS.' (5-Track CD Sampler)



- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

Track of the Day: DOOM - "ANGELZ" (Feat. TONY STARKS) [From 'BORN LIKE THIS.'/2009]

Today's track of the day is yet another joint from DOOM's 'BORN LIKE THIS.' album, and he gets some assistance from fellow character Tony Starks.

This track surfaced back in '04/'05 when it was released under a compilation released by the Nature Sounds record label, so if you've been a DOOM fan for a minute there's a good chance you've already heard it. Regardless, enjoy!

DOWNLOAD/STREAM: DOOM - "ANGELZ" (Feat. TONY STARKS)



- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix