El-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead (2007)

The Abominable Homan · 06-13-2009, 10:11 PM

I wrote this a little while back for RYM, it's ok I suppose.

Tracklist:

Tasmanian Pain Coaster
Smithereens
Up All Night
EMG
Drive
Dear Sirs
Run The Numbers
Habeas Corpses (Draconian Love)
The Overly Dramatic Truth
Flyentology
No Kings
The League of Extraordinary Nobodies
Poisenville Kids No Wins / Reprise (This Must Be Our Time)

Despite being his second solo album, this is hardly a man new to making music. He has done work with Company Flow during their time, and produced several albums (a large part of those found on his label, Def Jux), including the classics Aesop Rock's Labor Days and Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein. So it's no surprise that this album hardly sounds like a sophomore effort, but rather the music of a veteren to the game.

From all I've heard, El-P is, quite possibly, the greatest producer to ever have lived. This is a very strong statement, I realize, but really no one seems to be capable of what he does album after album. This is a dark, anxious, apocalyptic record. Never before has this atmosphere been achieved through a rap album as well as El-P has done. The music is dense...not overwhelmingly so, but maybe it can be a bit much at first to those used to things a bit more minimalistic. However, once you get into it and can handle everything going on, it's beautiful. The surprising guest appearance by The Mars Volta especially complements the first song; Omar and Cedric manage to restrain themselves and the result is a wonderful way to end one of the strongest openers ever written in music. It does a lot to tell you how the rest of the album sounds.

Then we get to the rapping, another huge factor. Here, our man El-P also delivers. He has a great flow that fits with the music perfectly. It's not as smooth as, for example, Snoop, but it's not intended to be. Something extremely smooth and flowing would feel out of place in this paranoid atmosphere. Instead, you can hear a bit of the paranoia and nervousness in his voice itself. The lyrics are also strong; they're dark, but never too serious and dark for their own good. The other guest appearances are great as well. A collection of his Def Jux friends add a verse, but they all contribute much, much more to the album overall than the minute or two in which they're featured.

What we are left with is a masterpiece. A triumph in everything El-P set out to do, and quite possibly even more than he even dreamed could be realized through this album. It contains some very highly above average rapping, coupled with absolutely inhuman production. This is a gem no one should miss.

Strongest tracks: Tasmanian Pain Coaster, The Overly Dramatic Truth, Poisenville Kids No Wins / Reprise (This Must Be Our Time)

Weakest tracks: None, honestly.

Overall rating: 10/10

Fruitonica · 06-14-2009, 12:46 AM

I love this album, the best thing he's ever done by a fair margin. In fact, it has edged out Madvillainy as my favourite rap album ever. He's definitely my favourite producer, and pretty much the reason Def Jux is such a dope label.

I feel like this is a more accessible album than he's done in the past, especially lyrically. His songs are much more thematically cohesive, and coherent than before, and a storytelling ability that you didn't really see in CoFlow or Fantastic Damage. I wouldn't say he has a 'great flow', rapping is generally his weakness - sometimes he is brilliant (No Kings) but despite being my favourite off the album, the last two verses on Poisenville Kids has some pretty bad flow.

Here's a similarly glowing review I wrote a while back.

EL-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead (2007)

Hesher · 06-14-2009, 04:50 AM

Sounds dope. Can I get a d/l link?

The Abominable Homan · 06-14-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fruitonica

I love this album, the best thing he's ever done by a fair margin. In fact, it has edged out Madvillainy as my favourite rap album ever. He's definitely my favourite producer, and pretty much the reason Def Jux is such a dope label.

I feel like this is a more accessible album than he's done in the past, especially lyrically. His songs are much more thematically cohesive, and coherent than before, and a storytelling ability that you didn't really see in CoFlow or Fantastic Damage. I wouldn't say he has a 'great flow', rapping is generally his weakness - sometimes he is brilliant (No Kings) but despite being my favourite off the album, the last two verses on Poisenville Kids has some pretty bad flow.

Here's a similarly glowing review I wrote a while back.

EL-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead (2007)

I agree that his rapping is weaker compared to his production, but I've still never personally had a problem with it. I know many do though.

I agree that this is probably my favorite rap album, and I love Madvillainy as well. Good tastes man.

As for the link, I don't have time at the moment, but I can get you one tonight I think. That is, if that's allowed. I'm new, someone stop me if I shouldn't be talking about downloading and the like.

Fruitonica · 06-15-2009, 04:21 AM

It's cool man, this place is all about sharing music.

06-13-2009, 10:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Abominable Homan Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 281	El-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead (2007) I wrote this a little while back for RYM, it's ok I suppose. Tracklist: Tasmanian Pain Coaster Smithereens Up All Night EMG Drive Dear Sirs Run The Numbers Habeas Corpses (Draconian Love) The Overly Dramatic Truth Flyentology No Kings The League of Extraordinary Nobodies Poisenville Kids No Wins / Reprise (This Must Be Our Time) Despite being his second solo album, this is hardly a man new to making music. He has done work with Company Flow during their time, and produced several albums (a large part of those found on his label, Def Jux), including the classics Aesop Rock's Labor Days and Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein. So it's no surprise that this album hardly sounds like a sophomore effort, but rather the music of a veteren to the game. From all I've heard, El-P is, quite possibly, the greatest producer to ever have lived. This is a very strong statement, I realize, but really no one seems to be capable of what he does album after album. This is a dark, anxious, apocalyptic record. Never before has this atmosphere been achieved through a rap album as well as El-P has done. The music is dense...not overwhelmingly so, but maybe it can be a bit much at first to those used to things a bit more minimalistic. However, once you get into it and can handle everything going on, it's beautiful. The surprising guest appearance by The Mars Volta especially complements the first song; Omar and Cedric manage to restrain themselves and the result is a wonderful way to end one of the strongest openers ever written in music. It does a lot to tell you how the rest of the album sounds. Then we get to the rapping, another huge factor. Here, our man El-P also delivers. He has a great flow that fits with the music perfectly. It's not as smooth as, for example, Snoop, but it's not intended to be. Something extremely smooth and flowing would feel out of place in this paranoid atmosphere. Instead, you can hear a bit of the paranoia and nervousness in his voice itself. The lyrics are also strong; they're dark, but never too serious and dark for their own good. The other guest appearances are great as well. A collection of his Def Jux friends add a verse, but they all contribute much, much more to the album overall than the minute or two in which they're featured. What we are left with is a masterpiece. A triumph in everything El-P set out to do, and quite possibly even more than he even dreamed could be realized through this album. It contains some very highly above average rapping, coupled with absolutely inhuman production. This is a gem no one should miss. Strongest tracks: Tasmanian Pain Coaster, The Overly Dramatic Truth, Poisenville Kids No Wins / Reprise (This Must Be Our Time) Weakest tracks: None, honestly. Overall rating: 10/10 Last edited by The Abominable Homan; 06-13-2009 at 10:24 PM.

06-14-2009, 12:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	I love this album, the best thing he's ever done by a fair margin. In fact, it has edged out Madvillainy as my favourite rap album ever. He's definitely my favourite producer, and pretty much the reason Def Jux is such a dope label. I feel like this is a more accessible album than he's done in the past, especially lyrically. His songs are much more thematically cohesive, and coherent than before, and a storytelling ability that you didn't really see in CoFlow or Fantastic Damage. I wouldn't say he has a 'great flow', rapping is generally his weakness - sometimes he is brilliant (No Kings) but despite being my favourite off the album, the last two verses on Poisenville Kids has some pretty bad flow. Here's a similarly glowing review I wrote a while back. EL-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead (2007)

06-14-2009, 04:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Hesher Palm Muted Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 168	Sounds dope. Can I get a d/l link?

06-15-2009, 04:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	It's cool man, this place is all about sharing music.