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 Amazing Beginning for CH Sep 30, 2009
This cd is by far one of Cypress Hill's (CH's) best cds; in my opinion, second best to their "Black Sunday" album. However, I am partial as the "Black Sunday" album was the first of CH's that I had ever listened to... back when I was just a lad.
Anyway, the beats are traditional for them (if you have ever listened to any of their stuff); with a heavy bass sound projected from a woofer... along with the frequent "echo shouts" and sirens/screech sounds in the background. The vocals/raps are mainly projected from somewhat nasaly, but talented flower B-Beal.
While traditional, it is a style and sound that I have grown to greatly appreciate... no it is not your 2Pac; or even the current talent of somone like The Game for that matter... but it is what it is. If you have heard and liked any of CH's later stuff, I am sure you will enjoy this cd. If you are new to CH's music, perhaps you may find a better respect for them by listening to the "Black Sunday" cd first.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
"Light Another Joint!" (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars) Nov 13, 2008
It's kind of weird for me to see such a group like Cypress Hill debut so long ago, that I wonder where has the time gone? Their self titled debut ranks as one of the top debuts in Hip Hop history. B-Real's nasal flow makes his vocals sound very unique here on the album. Then there is DJ Muggs, who shows his stellar production all throughout the album. Then there is Sen Dog (Mellow Man Ace's brother), who just sound hilarious to me, especially with his background vocals.
Throughout this album, the standouts are easy to pick out. The singles "How Could I Just Kill A Man" and "Hand On The Pump" are both great. Further on the album, you have the track "Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk". Muggs places a spin on the loud horns all on the track. In fact, Muggs' production helps a lot of the tracks standout. It works with Sen Dog on his solo track "Latin Lingo", and I believe that is him rhyming in Spanish on "Tres Equis". Everything comes together on "The Cypress Hill ****", as that is one of my favorite tracks from the group.
Only tracks that really didn't standout for me are "Psycobetabuckdown", and "Real Estate". Both tracks have an innovative Cypress Hill sound, but did absolutely nothing for me.
Cypress Hill's self titled album hold high regards to their longtime fan base. Many may consider this as their best album, and I have to agree. I also recommend you listen to their 1993 follow up album Black Sunday, as it follows the same route as this one. An album with excellent production and great concepts, this album is definitely worth a purchase to add in your collection. Peace.
Lyrics: A-
Production: A
Guest Appearances: N/A
Musical Vibes: B+
Top 5 Tracks:
1. The Cypress Hill ****
2. Hand On The Pump
3. How Could I Just Kill A Man
4. Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk
5. Tres Equis
Honorable Mention:
1. Born To Get Busy
2. Light Another
 Original and timeless album Dec 19, 2006
Cypress Hill's 1991 self titled debut is a very original, entertaining album the likes of which hip hop had never seen before. The group of Cuban MCs from Los Angeles had a style that was totally new to hip hop and proved to be pretty influential, and mostly from this album. "Cypress Hill" is full of weed smoking anthems, paranoid tales of ghetto violence, humor, and excellent production. The rappers B-Real and Sen Dog especially stand out, showing a distinct character from any other rappers in 1991. B-Real's high, nasal voice always sounds both funny and disturbed, and Sen's low gruff voice is the source of most of the yells and chants on the songs. DJ Muggs emerged on this album as one of rap's premier beatmakers, with a style as distinct and creatively original as the RZA or Pete Rock. His use of heavy pounding bass and slow drumbeats are coupled with often infrequent guitar licks and sampling. Overall "Cypress Hill" is one of the most unique and interesting rap albums from the early 90s, and I highly recommend it for the hip hop collection.
The album begins with the deliciously funky "Pigs," an anti-police statement with a looping guitar line and good verses from all parties. The classic song "How I Could Just Kill a Man" follows, the song that shot the group to superstardom. This song demonstrates their crazy style and Muggs's amazing beats, with its soaring synth line and horns. "Hand on the Pump" has a good chorus and similar instrumentals to the first song, and the chant-along "Hole in the Head" has deep bass and great verses. The upbeat smoking anthem "Light Another" allows B-Real to demonstrate a different flow, and the funny "The Phuncky Feel One" follows. "Real Estate" represents Los Angeles as only Cypress Hill does, and another pro-weed song, the excellent "Stoned Is the Way of the Walk," comes next. I love "Psychobetabuckdown," a threatening and head-spinning angry song. "Latin Lingo" represents their Cuban roots, and "The Funky Cypress Hill S..." is aptly titled. The horn heavy "Tres Equis" precedes the closer, the great "Born to Get Busy." Throughout the album, short tracks like "Ultraviolet Dreams," "Break It Up," and "Something for the Blunted" provide short, smoked out interludes of heavy Muggs beats.
In my opinion, this debut is Cypress Hill's finest work (if you like this also check out 1993's "Black Sunday"). Funny, lyrical, funky, musical, but most of all just entertaining and enjoyable, this album was very influential but somehow still sounds fresh and distinctive today. I suggest any hip hop fans pick this up, because they won't be disappointed.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
The Original Hip-Hop Stoners Jul 30, 2006
Cypress Hill took the gangsta rap style of NWA, the DJ'ing of Public Enemy, and the attitude of the Beastie Boys to a whole new level. So much credit is given to Dr. Dre's The Chronic, but you can tell he got ideas for the Chronic from Cypress Hill's groundbreaking debut. Dre even later bit some of their concert style.
Cypress Hill are the original hip-hop stoners. The cartoony metaphors, cannabis lingo, contrasting two-man vocals, and wicked beats and sampling make this album a classic for the ages. Although harsh for some, the lyrics were true to the street culture of the early 90's and while a little exaggerated and boisterous, taking it over the top was Cypress's style. This album was put out in a time of fresh creativity in hip-hop, something that is lacking nowadays. Their style transcended racial barriers and got a lot of people into legitimate hip-hop. All 4 of Cypress Hill's first albums were instant hip-hop classics, and their live act was top-notch.
To me, in 1990's hip-hop, there were Cypress Hill and Wu-Tang Clan, and then there was everybody else.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Hip-hop Perfection Nov 17, 2005
Their debut they could never top. B Real's rhymes are complex and imaginitive, and through subsequent releases get more and more simple. Everything about this album, the beats, samples, rhymes, it's uniquness, makes it a king among kings in the hip-hop world. Did you know the guitar sample in the refrain of How I Could Just Kill A Man is from the Jimi Hendrix song Are You Experienced?
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