| If you are a fan of mainstream “hip-hop,” looking for songs about “ice” and “bling,” this is not the album for you. However, if you are a fan of independent hip-hop, looking for an album filled with hard-hitting beats and thought-provoking lyrics, this may be the album for you. Not for the faint-hearted, or strong supporters of George W. Bush, rapper Circus and his coconspirator Andre Afram Asmar, bring a refreshing batch of songs carrying political and social messages written in a style that balances substance with humor. Released in June of last year, Faceless Cowards is from start to finish a bold, multifaceted record through which the two LA natives present their opinions on politics, relationships, and UFOs. “Bully,” the first track on the 12-track album, serves as a great introduction to the talents of the emcee and his Dj, as well as to the rest of the album. Samples taken from films, the Simpsons, and a speech given in 2003 by George W. Bush can all be found on this track, supporting their opinions of the U.S. government and its role in domestic and international affairs. With “Smell the Ro$e$,” another track off of the album, Circus voices his thoughts on topics like the unbalanced distribution of wealth in the United States and the idea that voicing your opinion, or any frustration or dissatisfaction with the social and/or political state of your country doesn’t automatically mean that you aren’t patriotic. A few comparable artists to Circus include former label mate Aesop Rock, Atmosphere’s Slug and Qwel, from the Chicago hip-hop outfit Typical Cats. Faceless Cowards is the first release from the socio-political emcee Circus, who wrote all of the songs on the album. As a member of the LA hip-hop group The Shapeshifters, Circus has been delivering songs about politics and aliens to fans through live performances and recordings in the U.S. and across Europe for several years. This album marks the third release with Mush Records for Andre Afram Asmar, in addition to the mixing and production work he has done for other artists from his recording studio, “The Shroud” in Los Angeles. While this album will never be the soundtrack to any Republican event, it offers up different perspectives of two hip-hop artists that may represent the views held by many other people. - The Content Magazine |
2XLP/Out Of Print