Three 65, Day 18
El-P, I'll Sleep When You're Dead

El-P used to be one half of influential underground rap group Company Flow; he's also well known for his role in developing Definitive Jux, one of the most important hip-hop labels of the 21st century. His solo work hasn't been perfectly consistent: His first album, Fantastic Damage, was a great piece of noise-rap, but it's admittedly off-putting (in the best possible way), and there are a lot of mixtapes, remixes, and collabs out there that don't always cast him in the best light.

I'll Sleep When You're Dead changed all of that. A rap album with a solid, post-apocalyptic focus and an absence of irritating skits, Sleep shows enormous growth on El-P's part, both as a producer and as a rapper - amazing, considering the fact that he was already well-respected when the record came out.

I don't want to talk about his rapping too much (his lyrics aren't great, but his flow's amazing); I want to focus on the music underneath. The album is chock full of guest spots. Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta croons the outro to "Tasmanian Pain Coaster," which also features the guitar talents of Matt Sweeney; Aesop Rock turns up on "Run The Numbers"; Cat Power appears a siren on "Poisenville Kids No Wins / Reprise"; and the elusive Trent Reznor lends his vocals and production talents to "Flyentology" (even though his contribution is little more than yelling "No!" every three seconds or so). These guest spots keep the album from becoming another run-of-the-mill hip-hop release.

The beats come fast and furious on "Up All Night," which carries its jittery braggadocio well. "The Overly Dramatic Truth" rides a solemn bass line and swelling strings to convey its message of frantic frustration. "Habeas Corpses (Draconian Love)," a science-fiction love story about the relationship between prisoner and jailer, is replete with sound effects and narrative dialogue that convey the story in a way no rapping can.

This was El-P's most recent album, so I can't discuss his future... but I'm looking forward to anything he may release, and to seeing him open for The Streets this summer.