CD Reviews

The Devil’s Rejects

Necronomicon/Dynasty Musik

By MATTHEW M. BURKE | August 29, 2006

3.0 Stars

There aren’t many rap groups whose lyrics are laced with images of holy shrines, rivers flowing with honey, the execution of Joan of Arc, Area 51, and various demented murder scenes. Not to be confused with the Rob Zombie film of the same name, this album takes a journey through warped realms filled with battle-rapping demons. Boston deathcore rapper Bomshot teams up with Jus Allah, formerly of the legendary underground heavyweights Jedi Mind Tricks, to bring on phat, head-bobbing beats and fast-flowing lyrics. Wu-Tang Clan’s Gza and Dynasty Muzik CEO Chan help the duo fight their way through Hell to reach other planes of existence on “Vengeance.” Singapore Kane guests on “5 Pillars,” encouraging the Devil’s Rejects to adopt a more laid-back mindset against a less aggressive beat and a musical backdrop that’s not quite so menacing. The religious symbolism here has been hard to find in hip-hop since Jedi Mind Tricks’ 2000 Violent by Design (Superregular). But what makes this homonymous disc even more intriguing is the canyon-sized rift that has opened between the Bomshot and Jus Allah, a rift that means this could well be the one and only Devil’s Rejects album.

Related: A modest epic tale, Home boys, Calling for back-up, More

A modest epic tale
What beautiful voices and music in this event. Steven Jobe’s Joan of Arc: An Opera In Three Acts is at once ambitious and quite modest, but vocally and musically it remains a pleasure throughout its three brief acts at the Blackstone River Theater in Cumberland (through May 23).
Home boys
Don’t count out 7L & Esoteric just yet. 7L & Esoteric, "3 Minute Classic" (mp3)
Calling for back-up
Of all the tumult and talent swinging through town in 2006, I cherish most my memories of Audible Mainframe backing Slick Rick at Harpers Ferry.
How Jewish is it?
In addition to the usual fare of Messiah and Nutcracker performances and bands dressed up in Santa suits this past holiday season, Boston got an unusually large dose of Jewish culture — far more than the electric menorah in Kenmore Square or the klezmer rendition of “Chanukah Oh Chanukah” on the Holiday Pops program.
My Adidas, My Nikes
Hip-hop has often judged character via footwear. Missy Elliott told her gossiping detractors they were mad because Payless ran out of plastic pumps.
Bubbling under
Ahmir Khalib Thompson, ?UESTLOVE to his fans, is one of the most accomplished drummers in pop music, but he’s also a deft DJ with a selection that will take your breath away. Red Bull Music Academy lecture session with ?uestlove (podcast mp3)
Mega star
There are rhetorical questions, and then there are rhetorical questions. Slideshow: Mr. Lif CD-release party, June 27 at the Middle East
Cam'Ron
When misogyny runs this in-your-face, it’s hard to make a case for metaphors.
Life, love, and sneakers
Rob Heppler got his sneaker schooling in jail: "Anyone that had super-awesome sneakers, it was for a reason. It meant you were a huge drug dealer or you were rich or somebody cared about you on the outside."
Local motives
As is tradition (well, four years old, anyway), I’ll sum up my wishes from last year before I get to wants for 2007.
Green initiative
In an era when the major labels ignore just about everybody without a nickname that rhymes with “sleazy,” it was no small feat for Wale to land a deal with Interscope Records earlier this year.
Less