Fast Cars Danger Fire And Knives

This Definitive Jux release contains an 88-page booklet, "The Living Human Curiosity Sideshow," which presents the lyrics from five Aesop Rock releases (FLOAT, LABOR DAYS, DAYLIGHT, BAZOOKA TOOTH, and FAST CARS.) in all their giddily impenetrable glory.

Personnel: Aesop Rock (rap vocals); El-P, Metro, Camu Tao (rap vocals); DJ Big Wiz (turntables).

Aesop Rock's follow-up EP to 2003's BAZOOKA TOOTH finds the deliriously inventive New York City MC delivering another batch of top-notch material. One of hip-hop's most distinct voices, Aesop spits out a never-ending stream of difficult-to-decipher lyrics in a bass-heavy voice that suggests the rumble of an approaching subway train.

The production on FAST CARS, DANGER, FIRE AND KNIVES is rooted in the same murky melodic terrain that helped to make BAZOOKA TOOTH and 2001's LABOR DAYS underground sensations. Longtime collaborator Blockhead contributes to three tracks ("Fast Cars," "Number Nine," and "Holy Smokes"), while Aesop takes the musical reins on three more ("Zodiaccupuncture," "Rickety Rackety," and "Food, Clothes, Medicine"). But it is on the Rob Sonic-produced "Winners Take All" that Aesop reaches a new plateau as an artist. Written from the perspective of a confused, unprepared soldier thrust into the heart of combat, the track is an utterly convincing--and unexpectedly devastating--condemnation of war. There's as much creativity and lyrical audacity in FAST CARS, DANGER, FIRE AND KNIVES as there is in some artists' entire discographies.