Aceyalone

For his latest, Aceyalone drops a fun-loving party album that may not compare to the classic Book of Human Language or his work with Freestyle Fellowship, but it does entertain. A variety of producers that include PMG, Fat Jack, Riddlore, Anti-Pop Constortium, El-P, and RJD2, keep the energy level up with few exceptions. About halfway through, Love & Hate becomes sappy and mostly boring thanks to "The Saga Continues,” "Moonlight Skies,” and "So Much Pain.” The album could also do without the sloppiness of "Ace Cowboy.” On the other hand, there are a few tracks that could compete for space on any Aceyalone greatest hits package: "Lost Your Mind,” "Find Out” and "Ms Amerikkka” come to mind. The dream collaboration with El-P for "City of Shit,” and "Lights Out” with M. Sayyid and High Priest of Anti-Pop Consortium, are the only two tracks that really reach outside the boundaries, and are probably the only two tracks most casual hip-hop listeners might have difficulty with. As Aceyalone says on "Lost Your Mind,” it’s "fun rap, dude, fun rap.”