serial consign

Well, it took about five years but El-P has finally released the followup album to Fantastic Damage, and I have to say it is pretty remarkable. An extended wait for a sophomore outing can sometimes be really disappointing, but even on the first listen of I'll Sleep When You're Dead it is evident that El-P has been holed up in his studio sharpening his percussion hits as well as his perception.

Once again, El-P has rolled out a whole suite of next level production that manages to evoke comparisons to vital, contemporary artists and the vanguard of hip-hop past. The Aesop Rock accompanied "Run the Numbers" features a blistering, mechanized dancehall breakdown with raw, rumbling sub-bass that can be spoken of in the same breath as the work of The Bug or Anthony Child. While new school industrial strength beats abound, there are a few choice nods in "No Kings" and "Up All Night" to The Bomb Squad circa-Fear of a Black Planet. My favourite footnote on the whole album is a riff that would make Drexciya proud. It is nestled amongst the percussion of "Drive," where El-P takes the DeLorean from Fantastic Damage out for a cruise on the autobahn.

Years ago, I remember stumbling across a quote by Ice-T where he stated that anger was like light - if you were angry at everybody and everything you would emit a dull glow, but if you focused you could produce a laser and burn through whatever you set your sights on. Well, El-P is far from being a relaxed guy but he has definitely matured as an artist since Fantastic Damage. He is still painting in broad, dystopian strokes, but his world-view now has more in common with the politics and cinematography of Children of Men than the head-space of a Philip K. Dick protagonist in the midst of a really bad day.

I really can't recommend this album enough, "Habeas Corpses (Draconian Love)" is as good as anything that science fiction, advanced storytelling, and hip hop has to offer. As they say at Hardwax.. TIP!!