On their third widely available album the Hilltop Hoods have upped the ante lyrically. Also with “Clown Prince” blowing up in Australia they have gone gold in a week. Here we’ll take a look at some of the tracks and see whether the Hoods have stuck to their “Left Foot, Right Foot” and “The Calling” mould or whether they’ve gone for style over substance in a bid for commercial success.
“Hip-hop’s a circus act, this is absurd but fact,
One critic or cynic for every that learned to rap,
One lyric with gimmick for every with purpose that,
Furthered rap culture round the Earth and back.” - Pressure
The opening track “Recapturing the Vibe” has the Hoods on top form lyrically with lines like the above attempting to explain how the Hoods view hip-hop in 2006. Pressure especially dazzles with his rapid fire verse leaving the listener with a satisfied feeling. Comparisons can be drawn to the opening track from “The Calling” (“Testimonial Year”) and the new album immediately recaptures the vibe.
“My foot’s always in their mouth, they just can’t stomach de-feet (defeat)” - Pressure
The first single “Clown Prince” is blowing up insanely in Australia and is the main reason for the group going gold in just 7 days. It’s not one of the best tracks on the album but it’s definitely catchy. Th
is is one of the best singles of the Hoods’ career and Pressure is once again on top form. The final verse on which the two artists swap lines is also a highlight.
“I’ll finish with a bang, like Kurt Kobain’s biography” - Suffa
The second single “The Hard Road” is better with Pressure and Suffa trading lines about the hard times which they have faced to get where they are today. This is one of the few tracks where Suffa actually keeps up with an amazingly on form Pressure with both artists bringing something to the table. Feel free to check the video out here;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuNdSnZpumk&search=hilltop%20hoods%20the%20hard%20road
“Some young gentlemen alive with their laughter,
Approach the old timer, and put a knife to his heart ta,
Explain that money or blood’s the price of their barter,
To a man who’s friends probably died for their fathers” - Pressure
“Stopping All Stations” is Pressure’s shining point. A story set out like Joe Budden’s “Three Sides To A Story” on which Pressure tells the story of a war veteran killed by a youngster down on his look for $2 and the stripper returning home from work who gets in the middle of the confusion. This is a must listen for any rap fans and is truly one of the greatest tracks this year.
“They call me Suff when I’m drunk they call me fuck off,
Head under the bar tryin’ to drink the run off” - Suffa
“What A Great Night” has similar subject matter to Clown Prince but is executed less successfully. At this point the album is in danger of running off track with two less than great tracks and a skit. Don’t get me wrong, this track isn’t terrible but Suffa and Pressure are beginning to repeat themselves which is never good.
“Fuck Tony Blair like I hate George Bush” - Braintax
“Obese Lowlifes” with Low Life Record’s Braintax and Mystro is a historic track with Australian and English rappers coming together for one of the first times. The track is one of my favourites on the album with the emcees hitting punchlines and anti-political sentiments all in one go. Another one to give a listen to.
“In the place and we raising the roof,
Like Al Qaeda had placed a case in the booth” - Suffa
Once again the group are on top form on “Circuit Breaker”. It isn’t really a standout track but both emcees hold their own over one of the album’s better beats.
“It’s that though we learn from our mistakes we’re condemned,
To make those same mistakes, again and again” - Suffa.
On “An Audience With The Devil” Suffa shows why he shouldn’t be forgotten when talking about the group. With him asking the Devil questions and getting back some pretty wild answers he sets up the last track of the album nicely. One of the best moments of the album has been saved until last with this.
So the Hoods are back after a 3 year hiatus and it seems they have not just been “fucking around and playing computer games”. They’ve been crafting “The Hard Road” which is probably the Hoods most mature album to date. The production has strengthened and the emcees have improved lyrically but it just doesn’t have the kick of “The Calling”. At least they’re selling though. Well on you guys.
Give a Listen; “Recapture the Vibe”, “Clown Prince”, “The Hard Road”, “Stopping All Stations”, “Obese Lowlifes”, “The Blood Blooded”, “An Audience With The Devil”.
Worth’a Missin’; “Conversations Of A Speakeasy”.
Overall; 5 Out Of 6 Shots; Not as good as the Calling but a step in the right direction for the Hilltop Hoods.
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