A well-made release from this underground Hip-Hop group.

I am finding myself reviewing my 6th hip-hop album for Epinions even though I have never in the past considered myself a rap fan. I would listen to hip-hop here and there, but it has never been (nor is it now) my primary musical interest. Nevertheless, I purchased yet another hip-hop album the other day, and this time, from a group I had not heard of before. You see, I went to Newbury Comics to buy the new album from Jurassic 5, a somewhat-underground rap group from California who have received a bit of exposure recently with their addition to the Warped Fest lineup. I own their previously released EP and have been looking forward to the new release for a while. Unfortunately, I got the release date wrong and the CD does not come out till the 20th (expect a review then).

Here, I must admit a weakness - I am an addict of sorts. Like a heroin junky has a hard time not taking a hit when smack is around, I have a hard time leaving Newbury Comics without buying anything. This time I left however, but not without noticing an intriguing looking CD from Dilated Peoples. I came home, went to CDNow, listened to the song snippets, and drove right back to satisfy my weakness - I got the CD.

A part of the reason that The Platform caught my eye (or ear) is the fact that the Newbury Comics salesperson (they tend to be remarkably knowledgeable as opposed to the vast majority of music store workers) mentioned them in the same vain as Jurassic 5. He grouped them in the same "underground" category of rappers who tend to be liked by everyone who has heard of them. Having listened to the album a few times I must also add that, like Jurassic 5, they are from the West Coast but have a sound that spans any hip-hop genre and stays true to the old school.

While the comparison does not end there, I will not continue drawing parallels because it would not be fair to either group since they are both unique in many ways. Dilated Peoples consists of 2 MCs and a DJ. Evidence and Iriscience (pronounced Ai-Ra-Saie-Ns) drop rhymes while the well-known (in the underground hip-hop world) Babu takes care of the turntables and produces the tracks. The album also features some guest artists ranging from B Real to the Alkaholiks to Everlast (here calling himself White E. Ford).

For lack of other words, the songs are dope - there is an intelligent mixture of smart rhymes, tight beats and sweet hooks, all without the help of R&B that tends to dominate the popular rap music that most people are used to. The rappers are clearly intelligent and make references to every aspect of popular culture from the George Bush family to Gary Shandling. They also pay homage to those black musicians who came before them - Herbie Hancock's Headhunters and Jon Coltrane's Blue Train. The songs are varying and range from thought-provoking to danceable with highlights such as the title track, Guaranteed, Service, Annihilation, and Ear Drums Pop. The CD actually includes a remix of the latter, but not one in the vain of what you may hear on the radio today, but instead more like A Tribe Called Quest's Scenario, where the remix sounds almost nothing like the original. To give them props, they even sample the Beastie Boys on Expanding Man.

If I had to point out a fault in this album, it would be one that tends to be endemic to almost all hip-hop artists - excessive self-praise. Even the most respected hip-hoppers from the Roots to Mos Def all rhyme about how great they are and how all other "sucka emcees" are inferior. Somehow I can't imagine even the most arrogant rock musicians (such as Mick Jagger or the roudy Oasis brothers) making up songs about how much better they are than all others and how they are a living legend. In my book, it makes more sense to let others praise you; instead of letting all know how great you are....let the music speak for itself.

That notwithstanding, I would recommend this album. It may not appeal to all, but true hip-hop lovers will almost surely embrace it.