Aesop Rock

Anyone who’s followed the trail of lyrical carnage laid-out by this Atoms Family crewman since the days of Float, his first proper album, has pretty much come to know what to expect from an Aesop Rock release. Hip-hop’s equivalent of a lyrical acid trip set in a five boroughs version of Alice In Wonderland has consistently laid down the hammer, painting non-linear tales that demand repeat listens in order to connect the litany of reference points. On this seven-track EP, Aesop maintains his ever impressive form, though this time around adding a little more playfulness to his usual verbal assault. Long-time associate Blockhead returns to handle much of the beat work, injecting ample amounts of gutter-funk into tracks like the album’s "Fast Times” opener, and "Number Nine,” with its hop-scotchy hook and eerily melodic synths. Def Jux label-mates El-P and CamuTao swing by to resurrect the art of the posse cut on "Rickety Rackety,” where the three trade fast paced rhymes over a high-octane beat that just begs for an uprock, before Rock brings it right back down to Earth with a serious look at city life on "Food, Clothes, Medicine.” More impressive than actual songs on this release, however, should be the first run inclusion of an 80-page book of lyrics, photos, and other artwork documenting the emcee’s entire career. That alone should be worth the price of admission.