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

Monolith performance Recap & Photos

This past Saturday DOOM performed at the Monolith Festival in Colorado. Reader/contributor Machiventa attended, and forwarded this great recap of the performance to me to share with you all...

Aight so I ended up going to Monolith and saw DOOM! Here's a detailed and personal account of the show (which was fucking dope by the way!).


I decided to go early to get a good spot and found one right up front and waited for quite a while with people chanting the occasional DOOM, DOOM, DOOM!! After which seemed like forever Ben Grimm and surprisingly Jneiro Jarel (from Shape Of Broad Minds) hit the stage, thank god because I knew right away it would be the real Doom. The stage crew had previously set up 2 Technics and a mixer and I thought to myself that was kind of weird since Doom hasn't had a DJ since the MM FOOD tour but thought it was a good sign after all the controversy of him using his own MPC with supposed prerecorded vocals on it. But sure enough Jneiro and Ben brought out some of their own equipment damn it!! One piece was a transmitter for wireless mics and I immediately thought "here we go, he's gonna fucking lip sync again". It took quite a while for Jneiro and the soundmen to get the wireless mics set up and sound checked. We were all starting to get anxious waiting for so long that Jneiro eased the crowd with an acapella and a statement that it would be worth the wait and the show was going to be something special. He also announced for the first time a possible collaboration between him, DOOM and some other DJ (I couldn't catch the name), he also said to put it on YouTube haha. Finally after being at least 15 minutes late (and having only a 45 minute set) Doom says something from behind the stage like "ya'll ready for the Villain?".

DOOM comes out with a 100% chrome mask decked out with ruby stones on the 3rd eye and studded all around the head band! I happen to know a friend of Doom's who had told me just days before the show that Doom had recently bought a custom made chrome mask for a lot of money. Anyway so as the first song comes on (Hoe Cakes) and as I hear the first line "I got this girl, and she wants me to duke her" the music and Doom's vocals get kind of quiet and of course I think it sounds like he's lip syncing but immediately both come right back to normal and in fact even louder. All of a sudden I couldn't tell if he was lip syncing or not because he sounds almost too good but I was right up front so I could at least tell he was moving his mouth exactly with the words. The next song was Rhymes Like Dimes and I've heard him do this song like 5 times live and he sounded much better than I've ever heard before so of course I'm thinking he's totally lip syncing. I was very aware to listen for any words said to the crowd in between songs and there were several to convince me this was the real deal. After careful observation and a few more tracks in I came to the conclusion that this was a different DOOM in front of me. Not an imposter DOOM but a man who had changed his live performance from a more interactive, funny, sometimes slightly drunk one to a clear headed, focused, and in control one. Gone were the crowd interactions, missed or wrong lyrics, hand on the belly mannerisms, beer drinking, and slightly strained vocals. But instead we were treated to Doom almost in a trance, eyes closed half of the time, drinking water, spitting his rhymes in a concise, fluid, laid back familiar monotone way that we've come to love. About half way through the set I finally felt I could let go and enjoy the show. Boy was I given a rewarding and special performance, Jneiro Jarel was right and I was excited, almost giddy with joy. The Villain is back! MADVILLAIN LIVE IN LOS ANGELES
NOVEMBER 21, 2009.

Photos: (Click to enlarge) [Courtesy of Metromix Denver]





- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

'BORN LIKE THIS.' review round-up

I'll be updating this post with reviews of 'BORN LIKE THIS.' written by major hip-hop sites as they appear...

(Click images to be taken to full review)

Pitchfork

okayplayer

URB

HipHopDX


- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix

J. Rocc reviews DOOM's 'BORN LIKE THIS.' (Track-by-track)

Not too in-depth, but J. Rocc posted a track-by-track "review" of 'BORN LIKE THIS.' up on his Twitter. Thought some may be interested, so here it is...

Just got DOOM's new album. Bout to give it a listen....from the man himself....thanks DOOM. (I know he'll get this...the power of twitter)

Alright. Disc of DOOM is being burned. Bout to drive to the homies crib and listen on the way...I need to hit the corner tho.

DOOM you are the man. He even sent em as Wav files. I must be his friend or something.

This DOOM album is bangin. Track by Track for those that care coming soon.....J.Rocc's (honest) record review. "No more music by the suckas"

Ok. So....there's a intro that has a cat talking bout the Villian.

Gazzilion Ear- Bangin. This is the track that I played that's on YouTube. Production-Dilla. I biased on this one tho.

Ballskin- we've all heard this one.

Yessir - Rae is killing it. Taking it back.

Absolutely - Madlib on the beat. For soon reason I think the beat is on Dil Cosby/Dil Withers. DOOM is a madman with the verse.

Rap Ambush - is this track you Jake? Another DOOM verse that's on point. J likes.

Lightworks - another exclusive awhile ago on the YouTube. Dilla beat. Different raps from the one I had. Doom is crazy folks.

Batty Boys - HO. LE . SH. IT. I need the chronicals for this one. Where does he get all this talking. I gotta replay this one.

Angelz - Tony Starks. Had this one since the SXSW ST show. This is a different mix.

Ok. They both rappin some Charlie's Angels / Three's Company stuff.

Cellz - alright. I see why the name of the album is "Born Like This". Damn. If I could only go somewhere and play this. Ok. No filler.. "Don't know what he be sayin but the words are funny"

Still Dope - Who's this girl rappin. She's kinda dope. She's can hang with the DOOM beat changes..... Ok. She's dope.

Microwave Mayo - ok...this ones is wack...........SYKE!! Maybe I just miss this type of stuff but I'am not mad at all at this album.

More Rhymin - Jake is this you again? I gotta turn this one up.

He hasn't lost it. At all. This cat is too dope.

That's That - this fool is buggin on this verse. Even a shout out to the La Brea Tar Pits.

Supervillianz- is this auto tune? DOOM definitly made this beat..

Bumpy's Message - no need to explain. Just read the title.

Thank Yah - DOOM beat again...he's not sampling gospel is he? Madlib style right here.

Gotta say. This is a good album. 17 tracks and all of em were dope. I'm not just saying that. Dilla, Madlib, Jake Uno on the beats. You can't go wrong. No half ass raps. He actually killin it on every verse. Even the guest were on point. The girls tracks tho!!!

I'm officially gonna learn the lyrics. Hahahahaha

I have to listen to the auto-tune track again

He's clowin.

- Subroc, The Hip Hop Hendrix