Jedi Mind Tricks - The Thief and The Fallen

Jedi Mind Tricks
The Thief and The Fallen
2015

Jedi Mind Tricks are the best hip hop artists you've never heard of. For decades now Vinnie Paz and Stoupe have been slugging away in the underground scene creating throwback Hip Hop which never feels dated or loses it's lyrical edge. It has been six years since their last release together but if this album is an indication they have not skipped a beat. It is always interesting going from mainstream Hip Hop to something happening in the underground, there is so much lyrical prowess on underground records along with a more turntable style dirty beat. It is not the antithesis of mainstream rap but it is a reaction against it, against the dumbing down of lyrics or making themes off limits, it's much closer to poetry than it is dance music. The Thief and the Fallen is both an attack on mainstream rap and a celebration of the art of hip hop. The whole album sounds very organic, no autotune this way may come, and flows from track to track to create a whole listening experience rather than making a record on a track by track basis.

This record does have it's issue. Vinnie Paz while obviously a gifted lyricist still can sound very one note. He raps quickly and almost the same speed throughout the whole record so his words can get lost in the way he is saying them. He isn't trying to rap Tech N9ne fast, but it is a speed that does cause issues. Also the beats can feel a bit dated to the golden age of underground hip hop, they work just fine but you've heard many of them before, there is no mind blowing production on this record. In the end this is another solid record from a very solid group and it is great to hear great old school hip hop still has a place in this world.

7.2 out of 10