Review 1 of 4

darrylkirchner writes:

4of 5 Stars

Rolling Stone. Wake up. Seriously.

This is upsurd.

I know, I know. Arrogant, sampled Kanye is better.

Half dollar. Curtis. Idiot.

Nov 7, 2007 17:53:16

Review 2 of 4

Chumley75 writes:

5of 5 Stars

Rolling Stone gives Aesop 3 stars and Beirut gets 2.5!! Meanwhile, Kanye gets 4.5, and 50 Cent gets 3.5?? This just illustrates how Rolling Stone is more concerned with conforming to popular opinion than to being impartial.

Forget R.S., I'll take my music news from Pitchfork any day.

Oct 5, 2007 10:21:06

Review 3 of 4

RoddickRemixed writes:

4of 5 Stars

Can an album be reviewed solely of its own merits, or do other factors trickle defiantly into the mix? Compared to his magnum opus, "Daylight EP," "None Shall Pass" should receive three stars. Compared to the current offerings from Kanye, 50, the rest of the ringtone rappers on the air, "None Shall Pass" should receive thirty stars. Of its own merit, it's a solid release; nothing to write home about (but just enough to write a review about). Aesop's devilishly clever wit is on full display throughout - this is an album for the thinking man. If Kanye is fast-food burger joint, Aesop is a sushi bar: healthier, more high-brow, and not as likely to be enjoyed by the masses. But Bazooka Tooth is not for everybody, and that's what makes him so delightful.

Sep 12, 2007 23:10:42

Review 4 of 4

balltouch writes:

5of 5 Stars

I always see Rolling Stone knocking Def Jux as being "too confusing". Isn't that why all dedicated fans love music, the mystery of it. The first time you hear an Aesop CD, or even El-P, it sounds like a blender full of rap beats and rock cadences. The more you listen and dig, the more rewarding each listen is. Take the title track "None Shall Pass". The first time you hear it you notice the gently sad keyboard and Aesops ill flow. As you hear it again and again you notice the bass-like keyboard humming in the background and the gentle questioning guitar that hovers over the stomping drums. The rest of this album and the rest of Aesop's catalog is exactly the same. Stand out tracks include "Catacomb Kids" where Aesop samples himself, telling himself to "knock 'em out the box Aes", wild. The amazing "Coffee" with Aes' spitting wildfire over live bass and drums that draws to an amazing close with a beautifully dark vocal performance from John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats. El-P has the funniest and most ferocious cameo on "Gun for the Whole Family" where he mocks the stereotypical mollases, slowed-down, rap backing vocal that introduces his verse by joking "Man, this guy really talks slow". All in all, the best rap album since El-P dropped I'll Sleep When You're Dead earlier this year.

Rollingstone should stop sucking up to The Killers, Linkin Park, and every other half assed rock outfit they trumpet every month(just check out this months cover--weak), and focus on the real shit that is changing music and pushing it forward.

Also, please fire Rob Sheffield. He truly sucks and his taste does too. His Pop Life column should be moved to US Weekly. Get it out of my magazine!!!

Sep 5, 2007 13:21:18