Review: Canibus - For Whom The Beat Tolls

Ah, Can-i-bus...we all know he's got mad lyrical talent. Yet, of 7 albums he has dropped, only 2 are listenable. While I appreciate that he tries to create different concepts for his albums, his usual bland, tasteless production choice, misguided ideas that take his lyrics the wrong way and boring flow (to some) shit on his potential greatness and the results are some pretty mediocre albums. However, we all know what happens when a Canibus albums gets good production...

...And thank God, For Whom The Beat Tolls delivers ill production. While the production ain't RZA-greatness, it certainly suits the Jacker's style. From Dreamzzz to Secrets Among Cosmonatus, the album is quite pleasing to listen to. So if your ear got raped after listening to Hip Hop For Sale's beats, fear not this time.

So the production delivered for once, can we expect the same for his spit game? Hell Yes. Canibus sounds more focused than ever, bringing much-needed lyrical heat to a year lacking just that. He's on his scientific shit again tho, so don't be surprised if you find yourself rewinding his shit a few times. Only 4 guest appearances this time (Sun, Killah Priest, Vinnie Paz from Jedi Mind Tricks and K-Solo) but they fit in seamlessly. They all spit a nice verse (outshined by Canibus tho), K-Solo's being my personal fave.

Canibus got a winner recipe here: Focused, intense lyrics, average-at-worst production (the title is no joke), and well-placed features. Althought I must add that is flow basically stays unchanged
between track to track, which might get a lil boring after a while. Nevertheless,
the Lp is easily one of the best albums of 2007 so far(not to mention being Canibus' best effort since Rip the Jacker, if it wasn't obvious enough) and definitely worth your money...just burn the cover as soon as you buy it.

Rating: 8.5/10


Def look out for: Harbinger of Light, Liquid Wordz, Dreamzzz, 702-386-5397 , Secrets Among Cosmonauts, Poet Laureate Infinity