A Rubik’s cube of obscure language, it’s a daunting task that can seems like more of a chore than it is worth.

Insular, gross, completely bonkers.

Aesop Rock does whatever he wants because he’s talented enough.

[xrr rating=3.75/5]Aesop Rock’s twisted and dense lyrical output has produced a rabid fan base of underground disciples dedicated to unraveling his verses. He’s always had a funny bone, but most of his work has been taken as serious music for serious people, despite what the man himself might have to say. However, the turn of the decade found more humor …

[xrr rating=3.25/5]For the third consecutive year, we’ve been treated to a brand new release from one-time Def Jukie and longtime underground hip-hop favorite Aesop Rock. Unlike last year’s solo outing Skelethon, this year he hits store shelves as part of duo the Uncluded with Juno-soundtrack mastermind and former half of the Moldy Peaches Kimya Dawson. While I can’t imagine much …

Twelve years and three albums later, Labor Days still remains Aesop Rock’s masterpiece. Yes, there are proponents for debut Float out there, but Labor will likely remain Aesop’s (aka Ian Bavitz) defining record. I believe it, his fans know it and Aes himself likely agrees. Yet, the rapper waited until the last two songs to reward us with Labor material …

(Photos: Don Martino) If someone tells you that Aesop Rock’s July performance in Portland was hot, they could just as easily be talking about the Wonder Ballroom itself rather than the performance. As rare thunderstorms encroached in the Oregon skies, an unusual stickiness coated the city in something like a shellac coating. The venue itself, normally cool with its high …

[xrr rating=3.25/5]Now that a considerable amount of time has passed, a look at the mid-2000s pinpoints it as the time a love of playing with language returned to hip-hop. While the rise of trap-hop is the most easily remembered trend of this era, across the board the established favorites began making an attraction out of unorthodox word choices and making …

We haven’t heard from Aesop Rock since 2007 but that doesn’t mean the MC isn’t working. Teaming up with Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz, Aesop has a new supergroup of sorts under his belt with Hail Mary Mallon. Though the show was billed as Aesop Rock, instead we got his solo hits along with new material, as well as …

Hail Mary Mallon Are You Gonna Eat That? Rating: 3.6/5.0 Label: Rhymesayers Irish cook Mary Mallon, AKA “Typhoid Mary,” was known as the first carrier of typhoid fever in the United States. Bringing the disease with her after she moved to America in the late-1800s, her profession caused the pathogens to spread to at least 53 confirmed victims before she …