Hello Reader,
Aesop Rock has been active in the hip hop and rap scene for a few decades now. His discography consists of three EPs: Appleseed (1999), Daylight (2002), Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives (2005), collaborations with the groups Lice, Hail Mary Mallon, The Uncluded, The Weatherman, and Malibu Ken, scored the music for the film Bushwick (2017), put out a few handfuls of music videos, and made several dozen appearances on other artists’ tracks and compilations.
His first album length collection of songs, a mixtape titled, Music for Earthworms was self-released in 1997. Since that debut, he’s released eight studio albums all on indie labels, Float (2000), Labor Days (2001), Bazooka Tooth (2003), None Shall Pass (2007), Skelethon (2012), The Impossible Kid (2016), Spirit World Field Guide (2020), and Garbology (2021). Garbology was a collaborative studio album with longtime friend and collaborator Blockhead (Producer, DJ) and was the first time they did an entire album together. Also in 2021, Aesop composed the soundtrack music for the scrolling shooter multi-platform video game, Freedom Finger.
Why the stage name Aesop Rock? “I acquired the name Aesop from a movie I had acted in with some friends. It was my character’s name and it sort of stuck. The Rock part came later just from throwing it in rhymes.” If you’ve never listened to Aesop Rock, I can attest, the stage name fits. Ian Matthias Bavitz is his name offstage.
To his fans and those in the hip hop community, Aesop is well known for writing and performing lyrics that can be both complex like a labyrinth and yet at the same time they are also abstract to the listener. You listen to one song of Aesop’s and you realize he’s encyclopedic. Perhaps above average in that regard. Even if you’re a fan of Conscious/Progressive Hip Hop and Rap. So, it should be no surprise that Matt Daniels analysis of lyrics of dozens and dozens of artists, identified Aesop Rock as the rapper with the most expansive vocabulary. Matt Daniels analysis was first done in May 2014 and the list was updated in 2019. The site features beautifully presented and informative graphs. It’s a good resource and place to start for those looking to examine this subject or others adjacent to it, in depth. https://pudding.cool/projects/vocabulary/index.html
Welcome back.
On November 10th distinguished rapper and producer Aesop Rock released a new solo album, Integrated Tech Solutions, via the absolutely legendary Rhymesayers Entertainment. Based in Minneapolis since 1995, the integral label has given voices to local and underground hip hop artists and expanded their roster considerably to support artists outside the Midwest region. I find it’s always worth to support the label in your local record store or at their online store: https://rhymesayers.com/
Integrated Tech Solutions is structured as a concept album that has 18 tracks with both past and future sound coexisting harmoniously. The album uses absurd but also common corporate speak to separate the negativity amongst business culture from essential everyday life. Technology is a big part of the album, but not the only theme. As he’s done in the past songs and albums, Aesop worked on many of the beats for the album while traveling. That traveling has been a vital source for creative encouragement. But Aesop is not alone, its streamlined psychedelic production style and features artists ranging from billy woods, Hanni El Khatib, Rob Sonic, Nikki Jean, and Lealani Teano.
Full disclosure: We were not compensated for our thoughts; all thoughts are entirely my own.
Bring on the hype videos!
“Mindful Solutionism” with its history lesson and catchy refrains:
(All credits and rights to Aesop Rock and Rhymesayers Entertainment)
1000 is a lot, “Pigeonometry”:
(All credits and rights to Aesop Rock and Rhymesayers Entertainment)
The video filmed at night in NYC, with a dynamic rap exchange with Hanni El Khatib, “Kyanite Toothpick”:
(All credits and rights to Aesop Rock, Hanni El Khatib, and Rhymesayers Entertainment)
A entertainingly hilarious rap about Mr. T, “100 Feet Tall”:
(All credits and rights to Aesop Rock and Rhymesayers Entertainment)
A great water supply homage, “By The River”:
(All credits and rights to Aesop Rock and Rhymesayers Entertainment)
Overall, Integrated Tech Solutions is yet another great album in the catalog of Aesop Rock. To me, this album is two steps forward in terms of production on the tracks and also the lyrics. Aesop’s production has developed and evolved for the better over time as he has gained experience and refined his style, technique as a producer. The production within Integrated Tech Solutions is truly top notch. His vocal delivery and lyrical expression also still as profound and strongly delivered as they have been previously, but Aesop seems to have perfected his cadence and flow. The lyrics and the lyrical delivery are not as overwhelming as they were at times in the past. The lyrics on Integrated Tech Solutions are a great balance within the beats and tracks flow so smoothly throughout the album. Aesop, the Storyteller takes another step forward and he is an excellent storyteller on this album. The artists featured on Integrated Tech Solutions: billy woods, Hanni El Khatib, Rob Sonic, Nikki Jean, and Lealani Teano truly shine and enhance the songs they’re a part of. The album is made better by their presence and creative additions. There’s great use of guitar, synth and other musical instrumentation as well to cultivate and drive the rhythm and sound. All work cohesively and come together beautifully.
As mentioned before the hype videos, a looming theme of the album is technology and another theme in this album that wasn’t as directly mentioned earlier, is technocracy. The opener, “The ITS Way” kicks off the album with a computer like voice message and 80s-esque music with some sarcasm, setting the tone for the album. “Mindful Solutionism,” drops in with a heavy in all the best ways, beat, and the listener is treated to a fantastic history construction technology lesson and a refrain that will become an earworm.
“Infinity Fill Goose Down,” is a contemplative track that has an earworm for a beat and another earworm of a refrain. The fourth track, “Living Curfew (feat. billy woods)” explores familiar NYC settings and places. Aesop and billy woods trade verses over an exquisite beat, and their vocal ranges pair well.
The next track on Integrated Tech Solutions, “Pigeonometry,” starts out about the title birds but has a memorable production beat, loop and musical instrumentation. And impressive vocals. “Kyanite Toothpick (feat. Hanni El Khatib)” is a tour de force of verses between Aesop and Hanni. I love reference after reference Aesop drops to open the song before Hanni drops in. Vocally, they really pair perfectly together because of their ranges and deliveries and style. The beat is not only drives the track forward but is also well nestled under the vocals.
“100 Foot Tall” is a hilariously told story from a great storyteller, Aesop Rock, about an experience with Mr. T. “Salt and Pepper Squid,” is about mentoring young skaters.
“Time Moves Differently Here,” opens with a fast-food order, then the lyrics are examining existence over the top of a ghostly, reflective and futuristic beat. The next track, “Aggressive Steven,” is about home invasion from a known person. The instrumentation and Aesop’s vocal delivery adds tension to the track making it fully formed.
“Bermuda (feat. Lealani Teano),” has a botanical theme. Lealani’s vocal range reminds me of Björk. The next track continues a nature theme. “By The River” is admiration song, this time about the NYC area rivers that Aesop holds found memories and past adventures of.
“All City Nerve Map,” kicks off with a new beat and loop that has Aesop very reflective lyrically. The refrain and beat are earworms. “Forward Compatibility Engine (feat. Rob Sonic)” pairs Rob and Sonic again. They’ve worked together several times, and this collaboration might be the best yet. The driving beat they create the verses they trade work so well together. Their different vocal delivery styles and vocal ranges complement each other.
The next track, “On Failure,” Aesop in narrator voice reflects on Vincent Van Gogh over the top off drums and guitars and presents the information in a way, the listener will question it as well. “Solid Gold,” kicks off with a strong beat, and the lyrics remind us to look out.
“Vititus” is a great memorial to Aesop’s late Grandma that leaves nothing unsaid. The closer, “Black Snow (feat. Nikki Jean)” is a great way to close out the album. The last line is chef’s kiss way to end it. Nikki’s vocals fit in well with the overall sound.
Integrated Tech Solutions gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. Integrated Tech Solutions is an excellent album. While it is not the best album of the year, this album is a few steps forward for Aesop Rock. The production is fantastic, the lyrics are reflective, and flow is on point. The lyrics aren’t “too much”, they’re perfect. 18 tracks don’t drag on, they move well from one to the next. The musical instrumentation and featured artists add integral contributions. I can’t recommend purchasing this album from your local record store or Rhymesayers directly, enough. Get it!
Integrated Tech Solutions Tracklist [song time]
- The ITS Way [0:49]
- Mindful Solutionism [3:35]
- Infinity Fill Goose Down [3:33]
- Living Curfew (feat. billy woods) [3:52]
- Pigeonometry [3:33]
- Kyanite Toothpick (feat. Hanni El Khatib) [4:10]
- 100 Feet Tall [4:14]
- Salt and Pepper Squid [4:11]
- Time Moves Differently Here [3:48]
- Aggressive Steven [5:19]
- Bermuda (feat. Lealani Teano) [3:18]
- By The River [2:38]
- All City Nerve Map [3:55]
- Forward Compatibility Engine (feat. Rob Sonic) [3:52]
- On Failure [1:59]
- Solid Gold [2:25]
- Vititus [4:08]
- Black Snow (feat. Nikki Jean) [4:53]
total run time: 64:01
To listen to more of the album or find it a format of your choice, this is a good place to start: https://aesoprock.com/
Thanks for reading and supporting good music.
Until the next review,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
