Four Takes on Jedi Mind Tricks’ “A History of Violence”
It is often difficult to gain a balanced perspective on an album after reading a single summary of the music. Bias can tilt the review, as can personal taste, history and just about everything else that is unique to the person writing it. So in an effort to offer an expanded perspective on the music here are four reactions, four impressions, Four Takes on Jedi Mind Tricks’ A History of Violence.
I have always considered Jedi Mind Tricks the underground Hip Hop equivalent of Insane Clown Posse: both have ridiculous names and utilize strange, violent lyrics that seem to resonate mostly in angry suburban youths. That being said, their new album A History of Violence, really isn’t as terrible as I thought it would be. I never realized what a terrific producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind is for instance. History has some extremely unique, complex beats that employ a variety of samples from Freddie Foxxx to Middle Eastern Psychedelia. Unfortunately Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah’s rhyming just isn’t up to the same level of quality. Paz in particular is all over the place. Lines like “The way my operation works is like a surgeon thesis / I’ll drink the period blood of a fuckin’ virgin priestess,” don’t inspire much more than a “what the fuck is he talking about?” And when he’s getting political it not only sounds generic, but also factually misguided. In “Butcher Knife Bloodbath” Paz asks “Why we in Iran if all that we want is Osama? / Why we in a jam when all that we want is Obama?” News flash – we haven’t been in Iran since the late Seventies. Or, is the reason the line is Iran instead of Iraq because “Iran” rhymes with “jam” better? It’s hard to take the lyrics seriously when Paz himself hasn’t taken them seriously enough to get them right. Stoupe may pull this album up out of mediocrity, but great beats aren’t enough to make the record shine. – Jon Behm
“Let me tell you mother fuckers who you fuckin with,” rips first voice heard on A History of Violence. While the blast is just a sample used on the album’s scratch-happy introduction, it sets a dark tone for History’s remaining 12 tracks. But with song titles like “Deathbed Doctrine,” “Deadly Melody,” “Butcher Knife Bloodbath,” and “Death Messiah” however, it’s hard to think of the album as something that wouldn’t have dark themes running throughout. That being the case, there’s an air of insincerity that generally accompanies any art that primarily focuses on gruesome death – and it’s definitely evident with History. Not to say that Jedi Mind Tricks’ songs are insincere, but after two decades of gangsta rap, spouting “where corrupt cops plant a fuckin’ gun in your vest / where we retaliate by puttin’ fuckin’ one in they chest” comes off as weak sauce. All the same, passively listening to the album is pretty good experience, Vinnie Paz’s voice peels the paint off of Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind’s bangers. In that respect the album fails to get old, but when considering the album as a whole however, A History of Violence is skin-deep at best. – Chris DeLine
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised with the amount of anger found in an album titled A History Of Violence, but still the abrasive nature of the lyrics and outright hostility within the rhymes caught me a bit off guard (full disclosure, this was my first introduction to Jedi Mind Tricks), and that animosity clashed harshly with the fresh, smooth beats found throughout the record. That’s not to say that there still isn’t shit to get riled up about regarding living in the city, and I identify with some of that anger and frustration, but perhaps the results of the election have caused me to think optimistically about things for a change. Some of the rage brought forth on this record rings a bit hollow to me, and distracts from the innovative mix of Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind that lays the foundation of the entire record. Some tracks bring the groups message forth in a unique way, even with the gangsta rap undertones, like “Godflesh,” “Death Messiah,” and “Trail Of Lies,” which examines in an interesting manner how television and the media can, and often does corrupt an impressionable mind, and are highlights of the album. But most of the record just feels like so much thug posturing to me, and I just can’t buy into the fury and vehemence in tracks like “Butcher Knife Bloodbath,” and “Terror,” no matter how banging the beats are. – Erik Thompson
Hardcore underground hip hop, on paper, should be a thing of beauty. You take some hard, boom-bap beats, some angry emcees yelling about Armageddon, and the energy of a death metal concert, and the end result has the potential to be a welcome alternative to the feel-good “positive” rap floating around out there. After all, hip hop should be rebellious, right? It should scare people, right? And again, on paper, Jedi Mind Tricks should be fun to listen to. Vinnie Paz has one of the most distinctive voices in hip hop, a gravelly, cartoon-villain roar (with lyrics to match), and producer Stoupe is more than competent when it comes to crafting beats that highlight the group’s common lyrical themes: violence, quasi-religious imagery, violence, pseudo-political commentary and violence. While JMT have dropped a couple bangers over the years, the new album is so formulaic, so predictable, that a lot of the shock just isn’t very shocking. Scratch choruses featuring the voices of better emcees, three-to-five syllable rhyme schemes talking about Jesus and shooting people, sped-up samples… we’ve heard this all before. Onetime member Jus Allah is back, and though he doesn’t really say much, at least provides a rhythmic contrast to Paz with his damn-near Lil’ Waynesian flow. All in all, JMT do nothing to build on or alter their formula; for the die-hard fans, maybe this is good news, but the rest of us may as well go listen to M.O.P. or Big L (or even 2000-era JMT) for our hardcore fix. – Kyle “El Guante” Myhre
You guys obviously know fuck all about Hip Hop. Go listen to lil wayne then you faggot. Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah are two of THE best emcees ever so unless you would talk shit like this to their face, or could do better, I suggest you shut the fuck up.
cute
Good reviews especially the last one. I always liked JMT despite the formulaic nature of their music, but this new album is pretty weak especially the horrendous return of Jus Allah (more like Josh Allar at this point).
This was the worst review of an album I have ever seen. I even criticized Paz myself for endorsing Obama. But these guys reviewing this album? You have no fucking clue about politics or social justice, or social issues. Don’t fucking review Rap that is a social and political commentary. By far the worst reviews I have ever read. And this coming from somebody who was not all that impressed with this album COMPARED to other Jedi Mind
dudes are probably 50 year old white guys afraid of walking through uptown past 11. i love the album, although it definitely wasnt the hottest one yet. check out violent by design
The reviewers are subjecting this album to scrutiny that is far above with what this work should be measured. I considered this album an adrenalin-laced, fun romp– nothing more. I love all the elements of the production, lyrics, and delivery that were pointed out above. For this rare confluence of elements, I am willing to forgive alot of what JMT didn’t get right.
Oh, and for the record, the Bush Administration has been sabre-rattling with Iran for at least a year and a half. If you are going to criticize JMT’s accuracy, at least get your facts right.
damn someones a fuckin hater or is your brain to small to comprehend or appreciate jmt vinnie paz is a genius the best rapper i heard in years there’s a deeper meaning to the lyrics then what is said but you wouldnt understand thats jus sad when someone cant appreciate some of the best lyrics there is you shouldnt even be writing reviews for hip hop who the fuck hired you
these reviews are bullshit. the album title says it all, some people just don’t like agressive rap. theres nothing wrong with the rhymes. maybe if your a sensitive puss bag who takes everything they hear in music (an art form) literally. beats are crazy. i know music is subjective, but these critics dont know hip hop.
pretty poor reviews…to even comment that their is too much violent imagery in a JMT album is ignorant at best. and then to implicitly call their philosophy/political ideologies sophomoric is an amateur move. remember that their philosophy aligns most closely with shia islam (which is why they utilize “conspiracy” theories); so they DO believe that the US is attempting to begin a war in iran. do the knowledge before you “review” a piece of art.
Actually, just for the Iran comment…Yes, we are in war with Iraq, but our soldiers have moved over the boarders into Iran when chasing militants…It was reported on the news, and also, my friend was over there. So that line makes perfect sense, he is questioning the legitimacy of that method…
If another country was at war with Canada and then crossed into the United States, how do you think our government would react? He’s pointing out the hypocrisy …
Yeah, these guy’s don’t know jack shit though. Check the myspace people, it’s good music people.
http://www.myspace.com/vision2008forever
Really bad reviews. JMT is a group that you really need to hear all their albums to kind of make sense of latter albums. I think they have progressed a lot since the first album. I think if you don’t like intelligent hip hop then this isn’t for you. Sure they cuss lots but I think it is justified and real. Real people cuss. I love the way they refer to diff cultures and ancient history. They are dope. I really like this album. It is easy to listen to. Trail of lies is probably fav track atm.
I can understand your first impressions (kind of) and I’m sure it seemed like a fun idea to have a fresh JMT virgin on board but i feel your reviews are superficial. Your right, the beats are ridiculously first class on this album. Yes it’s a dark album. The lyrics are complex, themes and concepts are deep and layered and that’s why they cannot be taken at face value. Like with all quality hiphop you have need the mental capacity to wrap your brain around it, otherwise you just don’t get it.
Yo, yol don’t know what yol yapping about…In music there is a formula, JMT have kept it consistent through the times and hey, if you got a problem with Paz, i suggest u go listen to some other kat that thinks he can put down way better than Vinnie, but i doubt there is… I rate give thanks to them providing a different twist to that paddy cake rapper kats and leave the horror core alone…JMT freaken hold it down period…. Lyv Out
Fuck you guys man you have no idea about what the fuck is going these days and they probably believe what goes on in the news and you guys can’t even judge what Jedi mind does if you think they suck then you try to rap you little fuckin piece of shit and stop fucking listening to this type of music and go listen to mainstream music and go fuck yourselfs you fuckin faggots
This seems to have gone straight over the heads of all of these reviewers, JMT have esentially been a caricature since Jus Allah left after VBD since he was the one pushing the 5% Nation ideas whic are so prevalent on that album. Vinnie has never been the most coherent lyricist in terms of concept tracks or even social commentary though there have normally been a couple of exceptions per album (think Rage of Angels or Shadow Business), what he is however, is a rapper with an engaging voice and flow and an ability to conjure vivid violent imagery, which is a good skillset for the horrorcore rap that JMT now make. The main selling point of JMT is really Stoupe, who i think many people will agree is really only equalled by early RZA as a producer of dark layered hip hop. Paz’s main role is to acompany this, a job in which he seems to be improving. i was actually impressed with him on this album and felt the worst thing about it was actually the unbelievably dissapointing return of Jus Allah (what has happened to his voice/flow/lyrics?). It is fair to say that this is a pretty formulaic effort from JMT, but its a formuala that works and one that not many other acts use and its still better than 95% of the hip-hop released this year.