Search - Mars Ill :: Backbreakanomics

Backbreakanomics

Omagus | Austin, Texas | 12/03/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dust and manchild are arguably the best 1 DJ/1 MC crew to make noise since Premier and Guru. They've been impressing heads for a few years now and they've definitely earned the respect that they've gained. I personally think that RAW MATERIAL and BLUE COLLAR SESSIONS are among the 10 best LPs and EPs, respectively, to have been released this decade. That being said, I think that BACKBREAKANOMICS is a slight step down for Mars ILL.Right after BCS was released, manchild said that he was trying to change up some of the things that he did on the mic, and it shows on this album. It has a more experimental feel to it. We have to respect their decision to not try and recreate another RAW MATERIAL, and you have to applaud their efforts to not rest on their laurels and progressively move forward in the evolution of their sound. It's just that I can't help but get the feeling that Dust and manchild listened to a little bit too much Company Flow while making this album.I know that this sounds like a negative review, but it really isn't. Each of these guys is still in or near the top 10 of his respective field and they would have a LONG way to fall before I could say that they've made a bad record. BACKBREAKANOMICS is actually a great album, but maybe not quite as accessible as RAW MATERIAL. If you're trying to listen to Mars ILL for the first time, get that album first. BACKBREAKANOMICS is for the heads that want to dig a little deeper."

Straight up hip hop at it's best

alex oxenberg | 09/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mars Ill's new album "Backbreakenomics" is what an hip hop album should be. 19 tracks of pure hip hop(One mc, One dj)at it's finest. Manchild explodes with great lyrics without curse words and great 1st person and 3rd person visions. While Dj Dust cuts on almost every track and does great job producing the whole album. Guest vocals are great also including Pigdeon John(Deepspace 5), Blueprint(greenhouse effect) and Bigg Jus(ex co-flow member) rips a dope long verse on "sideline speach". You don't have to skip A track at all, just let it play and enjoy it. They are considered by many to be a Christian rap group, but don't let that turn u away it's definitly more Hip Hop then gospel. I'm not sure if it's better then their first album "Raw Material" but it's damm close. If u want some real good hip hop go pick this one up, you won't be dissapointed."

Tha return of tha TRUE hip hop

trackrunnammi | south burbz of chicago, IL | 11/07/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"how many timez have u heard a secular artist or group claimin' they keep it real in their music, or that they started this whole rap thang? well, mars ILL (lyricist manchild & dj soulheir outta atlanta) consistently makez that kinda hip hop. whether or not they lay claim 2 bein' pioneerz 4 Christian hip hop remainz under debate, but they sound like they could have been, and that countz 4 somethin' in timez like theze. they finally have somethin' that most Christian hip hop artistz don't have: major distribution (tha same label that bringz u grits, out of eden, dj maj, the katinas and (tha rapper fka) knowdaverbs), so it shouldn't b hard 2 find this on a shelf somewhere near u. but if not, do yourself a favour and treat your earz AND inner man by coppin' this collection of cutz. MOST NOTABLE: "afterlife", a sequel 2 their earlier classic "my life"; "planes and trains", a collabo with l.a. symphony rezident iconoclast pigeon john & relative newcomer blueprint; and "alpha male", a song that speakz 2 tha men about what a REAL man iz and doez. peace."