El-P

Dark, cavernous and confrontational, Fantastic Damage is more concerned with being respected than it is liked, which makes it the perfect soundtrack for a post-9/11 U.S. Throughout, El-P's jaded rhymes are oblique and delivered in halting rhythms, while the album's lo-fi, electro-infused production is simply jarring. A landmark indie release.

Since his days with New York indie rappers Company Flow, El-P has been challenging
hip-hop conventions with unapologetically inscrutable rhymes and noisy, chaotic tracks.
True to form, his solo debut, Fantastic Damage, is a heavy, turbulent affair. Lumbering,
industrial beats and inflamed verses bristle against gridlock car-horn bleats, jarring guitar
fuzz and dial-tone drones. Wade through the rubble for a few listens and you'll f... More >

Dystopia is hard, and El Producto will flog you with it if he has to ("Stepfather Factory," "Tuned Mass Damper") (Grade - *)