Alchemist returns with RUSSIAN ROULETTE, his first proper release since 2009's successful CHEMICAL WARFARE. The album includes guest appearances by Roc Marciano, Evidence, Schoolboy Q, Big Twinz and more!
M**R
Russian Roulette - Creative, Original and Hot!
I found that if you play this album from start to finish with no interruptions and outside interferences you will really appreciate the creativity of this project. The album seems to be designed to listen from the first song to the last without skipping or shuffling the order of the music. The album has a rhythm and flow that is experienced only with a continuous uninterrupted listen (my opinion). The album is creative, the rapping from the various artists is gritty and blends well with the theme. I really don't like mainstream hip hop or the marble-mouth crap that seems to be so popular these days. I think this transcends "hip hop" and it is much more than rap music. It uses a lot of sound bites relating to Rocky 4, and it works well. The blending of beats and sounds throughout this album, sort of reminds me of a Doom (MF Doom) album. I think this is one of the most creative, original and enjoyable hip-hop related albums I have heard in years! Yes years! If you like this crap hip hop on the radio today, then this is not for you; however, if you appreciate originality, and uniqueness, then pick this one up.
H**P
MindBlowing-Galactic-Comicbook-Epicfilm- Life/Death-OrchestralHipHopSoundtracks
I've followed Alchemist ever since I heard "The Realest" with Mobb Deep and Kool G-rap. It had been a few years since i bought his albums and I came upon Russian Roulette and copped it. This album is for the listener who is not afraid to venture into different musical dimensions.. I can best describe it as when a person has read religious scriptures, but seeks more than religion, he or she seeks a moving spirituality that feeds their soul, something that connects them to the Universe and all things within it that are within US, making us one with the earth skies and stars, going beyond what WE KNOW.Russian Roulette is Hip-Hop reaching beyond it's culture and foundation and traveling to unexplored regions. NO, this isn't some disconnected cornball cat who's just experimenting with sounds and loops, and making a new commercial sound with some clown-ass, non-lyrical rappers that don't have an idea about the culture which gave birth to KRS-1, Public Enemy, Rakim, Kool G-Rap..which in turn empowered US within Hip-Hop. THIS .. is talented MC's (with the exception of the unoriginal, Ghostface Killah copycat/clone.. "Action Bronson") rhyming off of Orchestral/Soulful/Musical-medelys, with beats and percussions low in the foggy distance.Definitely not your regular Alchemist beats and samples, but something new and uncharted.. STILL filled with musical soul and spirit.Russian Roulette will need repeated listenings for you to grasp it, and upon listening to it over and over and over and over again, you will NOT be bored, but drawn in and mesmerized, like when you climb up a mountain and look out upon the miles and miles of valleys, fields and forests before you, and understand what a spiritual connection is all about.Cop this. This is a Natural High.Peace
D**E
Part Donuts, part Entroducing, part Paul's Boutique
Put J-Dilla's Donuts, DJ Shadow's Entroducing, and the Beastie Boys classic Paul's Boutique in a blender; mix; then season with LSD to taste -- that's what this LP sounds like. If you live in a jurisdiction where medical marijuana is legal, and if you suffer from an ailment that qualifies you for a card, get one and then listen to this -- it will freak you the f*** out! There are thirty tracks here that flow together seamlessly. Emcees are mixed with Russian dialogue and scenes from Rocky IV, and then things get real, real trippy. I've listened to it four times now, and I'd definitely put it up there with the best producer-albums of all time. It is crazy. I've really enjoyed new music from Killer Mike, El-P, Nas, J-Dilla, and Bumpy Knuckles & Primo this year, but Alchemist takes the #1 spot... so far. And if Russian Roulette doesn't go down as the #1 LP of 2012, then that means someone came through and dropped a full-blown classic in the final five months of the year.
T**D
***
It's an ok album. If i could go back would not buy this again alchemist is hot. Just not feeling most of the artist in this disc!
A**A
Buy This Album
This album will suck you right in. This is my first experience with The Alchemist, so I can't say how it compares to his other work, but this album is so damn good.It's so much different than anything else out right now; the tracks have energy and momentum. Listening to this album is like hearing a story - the best albums are the ones that have a definite theme and demand that they be heard from start to finish.Also, Danny Brown is on this album! (Really obsessed with him right now.)
J**O
good stuff
not his best work, great album i love it doesn't have big hip hop names, i like the beat and melodies to the entire album it's very different
M**N
Thank you Alchemist
This is a great album by Alchemist. Not a lot of cutting and chopping samples but I think it's more about sample digging in this case. He got a lot of good rappers on this and the whole album sounds amazing and I love the Russian theme. I think sample based production is a dying art these days (probably won't die out completely but still) and I'm glad he's still around.
O**R
Alan the Chemist does it AGAIN!
Alchemist has a collection of premier and excellent work that truly stands tall over the test of time. With this lp, he spreads his wings and attempts to recreate Rocky IV with instrumentals and collaborations with several up and coming Rappers. This marriage of a seasoned ear for sample choices and awesome beat creation truly shines! Get this!!!!
D**M
Good Album
good album full of fantastic beats and the features go hard. the best work on here is without features. the soundscapes alc makes are incredible and relevant to the album. great buy
M**R
Five Stars
Thanks
N**K
Russian Roulette
八年ぶりの2nd。MCの選び方は大御所も名前知らない人もアンダーグラウンド思考の強い選び方。サンプリング主体で頑張ってます。ターンテーブルでプログレをやりたかったのかなぁ。七〇年代のプログレッシブロックからサンプリングネタを結構持ってきてます。ネタの選び方、音のならしかたはセンスを感じるんですがやっぱ変拍子のHIPHOPってEL-Pとかもそうだけど長時間聞いてると疲れてくる。自然にカラダが動くって感じじゃなくなってくる。そうするとプログレやマス・ロックと変わらないわけで・・・というわけでHIPHOPヘッズより、プログレやポストロック聴く合間にアングラHIPHOPも聴くような音楽ヲタにオススメです。間違ってもEMINEMのファンは買わないようにw
Trustpilot
1 month ago
3 days ago