Search - Kottonmouth Kings :: Hidden Stash III (Bonus Dvd)

Kenneth W. (Eyesore) from TAUNTON, MA
Reviewed on 12/4/2007...

This year marks the ten year Kottonmouth Kings anniversary; and Hidden Stash III is the second KMK release this year after Koast II Koast, which was released in June. It's been five years and six albums since Hidden Stash II. As one could imagine, with that many albums recorded, the outtakes, remixes and unreleased material can pile up inside the vaults; thus, Hidden Stash III comes equipped with thirty-six songs over two CDs, and a bonus DVD with twenty-three videos. Saint Dog, Judge D, Big B, and other Suburban Noize Records -- KMKs self-owned label -- stable mates also make appearances throughout the two CDs and DVD. And, as with most albums of this type, you can't expect brilliance on every track; however, there are most definitely some brilliant songs here.

The disc one opener, "Gone Git High," is typical of the KMK style: pro-marijuana prose laced over a bass-heavy beat, great verse flows, and a boisterous sing-along chorus. "The Underground" has Daddy X sounding like Eazy E, even borrowing from E's verse flow from the NWA classic, "Boyz-N-The Hood;" a great chorus is provided by Big B. "That's How It Goes" is an unreleased Kingspade -- KMK members' side-project -- track, and showcases another side to KMK and their side-bands/projects: melody. The track is rife with piano, some orchestration, positive lyrics about life, and a melodic chorus that is so good it literally gives me goose bumps. Other standouts include "Still Smokin'," "Police Story," "One Life," and "Hit That" -- which, not surprisingly, is about alcohol and weed, not women.

Disc two is similar to the first disc, though it fares a bit worse due to some too-similar-to-the-original remixes (except the remix of "The Lottery") and just a few more weaker tracks than on disc one. The aptly titled "Hidden Stash" kicks off this disc, and it's a good tune, but a little weak for an opening track. The following track, "Keep A Lookout," would have been a better, catchier opener. "Remember Me" incorporates some reggae into the mix, while "Losin' Streak" has an electronic/industrial feel; very good tunes. "Flyin' High," "Lady Killer," "Last Daze," and "Rip N Tear" are also great tunes.

Fans of traditional mainstream hip hop would probably hate Kottonmouth Kings. The lyrics are generally very positive and intelligent, even when the songs about woman, and some about smoking weed, often seem to contradict that notion; but overall KMK are a very positive and talented band, and there's no denying a good song regardless of what the lyrics are about. And, while this album isn't without some mediocre material, it's a gold mine for fans of the band.

Website: http://www.kottonmouthkings.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kottonmouthkings

Is it the Best? No.... But not bad at all

Anthony Pipkins | St. Louis, Missouri | 12/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok... Now I am not going to go out here and say its the greatest cd ever released by the Kings, but it is better than a lot of [...] that is getting released....



You have 2 cds, and a DVD full of contente. Sure the cds are not "KMK only", but that is because this was released as a way for the group to expose to people works that they had either never released or were done with the other SuburbanNoize Records artists... Unlike the other reviewer who said there are some songs on here that do not feature KMK artists he is wrong. Every song has at least one of the members of KMK on it...



As for tracks on here and even the last couple of albums sounding less punk that is not a bad thing. The Kings are able to go out with these tracks and pull in fans who are more 'hiphop' induced and pull them back into the "riphop" sound... The last few albums have been more underground rap than a lot of people like, but I am going to tell you this right now...



Kottonmouth Kings are still going to be around and they are adapting their style to the times... They have 'gangstad' out their style, but they are more rap; because they do know it sells and will get their message out and partied to a lot more...





by the way you can always listen to their older stuff if you have the cds... gott evolve and not sound the same all the time..."

What happened to the Kings?!

Roberto Cardenas | Albuquerque, NM | 11/30/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Man, this CD is not what I was expecting. After Rollin Stoned, they have been losing the punk - rock - rap style. Little guitar riffs and they changed it into underground rap. Kind of Crunk, underground rap. I guess it's more mainstream but I'd rather listen to their old stuff. High Society is their best Album. Rollin Stoned is pretty good too. Oh well, new sound but I'm still gonna go to their concerts cause they get the crowd rowdy!!! d[-_-]b"