Fantastic Damage [PA] by El-P

Pros: F*cking HARSH, spastic beats, no skits, crazy flow
Cons: "Dr. Hellno and the Praying Mantus", intimidating length

Caution: This review contains an overly long, self-indulgent prologue. For the review proper, skip to the section titled "ABOUT FANTASTIC DAMAGE". ABOUT ME: Much of the music I listen to gets classified into a genre with ...

Pros: rugged and smashing beats, mind-bending flow, groundbreaking in several senses.
Cons: your head is bleeding and you do not like it.

it pulsates in your hand, stereo Three years after the fact that NYC producer/emceee El-P, formerly of Rawkus juggernaut Company Flow, made his return back into the rap game as an artist with "Fantastic Damge", I know there's nothing I can tell ...

Pros: Abstract and Intelligent Lyrics, Futuristic Production, Subject Matter, VERY Unique and Abstract
Cons: Unlistenable Songs, Horrid Production, Too Noisy, Sometimes doesnt use a constant rhyme scheme

El-P has had a major impact in hip hop in the later 90s. He and his legendary crew Company Flow was unleashed on the world of underground hip hop to instant acceptance. Their tense and unique sci-fi feeling was the basis for the founding...

Pros: I guess if you like intentionally making your ears bleed, you might enjoy it.
Cons: Warning: May cause epileptic seizures in people who aren't epileptic

Definitive/Def Jux Records (not to be confused with Def Jam, which Rick Ross and DJ Khaled aside is actually putting out some good rap music these days) is hip hop's biggest cult label. Well, now that I think about it G-Unit Records and its remaining ...

Pros: Truly unique production, bitingly-satirical rhymes
Cons: 100% brute force, P's flow is IMPOSSIBLE to follow, it's political without a consistent theme

Here's the mandatory "let me tell you about the history of El P" introductory paragraph: in 1995, he produced Company Flow's "Funcrusher Plus EP". It rocked. LIKE A HURRICANE, no less. Some would argue that the only reason New York has an...

Pros: 3. Count'em, 3 decent songs.
Cons: Brutal production, brutal lyrical flow. Just plain brutal.

***
Disclaimer- I think this is my shortest music review EVER. And with good reason.
***

El-P. The man, the myth, the legend. Or is he? Millions (and millions) of fans of Company Flow and the 'old' Rawkus Records would have you...

Pros: Dystopian poltical themes encased in an exoskeleton of discordant blistering beats
Cons: El-P's abrasive sarcasm and blunt delivery combined with harsh production can become unlistenable

Forget the Parental Advisory sticker - El-P's debut solo-outing "Fantastic Damage" needs to come strapped with a first aid kit and a pistol - depending on which way you
lean by the end of the album. Either way, you'll leave "Fantastic Damage"...

Pros: The 1st half of the album, anger, rage, brutal soundscapes, etc...
Cons: Drags on, second half is alot softer, abstract...

El-P. He is the enigma behind the ominous underground label Definitive Jux, who have created such distorted masterpieces as Cannibal Ox – The Cold Vein, & nearly everything brilliant lyricist Aesop Rock has touched. El-P’s production is brutal. It is ...

Pros: Totally new and challenging sound without being alienating and inaccessable.
Cons: It's been 3 years since its release and we're all ready for more.

Before I launch in to this review proper, let me jump on my high horse... *grunts* Okay, there. From this height, it's easier for me to look down on my review subjects, cast aspersions at will, and just feel superior in general. Being an ...

Pros: No thug, gangsta, player or " in the club " references and/or cliches'.
Cons: " Laserface's Warning's " beat. Sorry.

The only song I'm not too fond of is "Laserface's Warning." That beat is not the El-P I know. Now that THAT'S out the way, on with the review of this dope frickin' album. From the first song to the last was a dope ride. Sooo nice to hear an album with NO thug and/or gangsta and/or player references and/or cliches'. This is what the whole east coast 80's hip-hop sounds like on steroids. No foolin'. This is cyborg funk, robotic headbangin' sh*t. This is NOT for those who like to bounce.