Welcome to the beginning of
another week! Today's focus is all on Jedi Mind Tricks and their new
full length, Servants in Heaven, Kings In Hell. I realize that
I am about a month behind everyone else in rolling out my thoughts on the
duo's fifth full length but since it's so good I felt that it could use some
more love. To be totally honest I had never really listened to much of
JMT before this album and the only reason that I put some real effort into
hearing the whole disc was because Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) sung
all of the hooks on the album. Her presence alone sucked me into
listening to the disc but the politically savvy and socially aware lyrics in
every song were the real thing that kept me coming back for more listens.
Sure, the crafty hooks and the various guest appearances make it easier to
revisit the songs but I absolutely love smart hip hop and that is exactly
what JMT's latest effort is. I put up one song that features the
lovely Shara and then one other that showcases the cleverness of Jedi Mind
Tricks, enjoy.
:Jedi
Mind Tricks - Heavy Metal Kings (Featuring Ill Bill):
I hope you are in the mood for something that is one part hardcore
hip hop and one part stadium anthem because Heavy Metal Kings, which
features no rock music at all, is equally both of those. At least
that's what the song will sound like to you if don't bother to pay any
attention to the lyrics that contain some witty lines, my favorite is
"without war nothing exists/without chaos nothing evolves/now get on your
knees so I can stick this gun in your mouth." I did mention it was a
bit hardcore right..? This kind of makes me want to destroy some
office equipment.
:Jedi Mind Tricks - Razorblade Salvation (Featuring
Shara Worden):
If Shara wasn't so talented at other things I have no doubt that she could
make a living singing hooks and after you hear her in this song I think you
will agree. I actually posted this up a couple of months ago when I
wrote up some stuff about My Brightest Diamond and even since then I still
find myself giving this some attention. The thing that gets me most
about this song is the contrast between Shara and Vinnie Paz's vocals and
how the music effortlessly holds them together. This is a captivating
listen so prepare to lose track of time.
Servants in Heaven, Kings In Hell is out now and it comes highly
recommended for fans of crafty/politically charged hip hop. JMT would
like to meet you on Myspace, jump
there now.
-
John Laird -
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