Cage- Depart From Me: bet you've never heard of Cage before, have ya? if you have, at least before this album, then you are a jukie and i salute you. the third effort from the Weathermen founder is a complete departure from the New York white boy rap he's been making since the early 90's. working with Hatebreed guitarist, F. Sean Martin, Cage has crafted a true masterpiece detailing an abusive childhood, substance abuse, the death of a dear friend, a stay in a mental hospital, mental instability, depression, partying, and stalking a woman. they call it "progressive hip-hip", and frankly, i'm inclined to agree. with F. Sean at the helm, this record mixes electronica beats and synth with metallic and almost blues-ish (though still heavily affected) guitar work in combination with Cage's distinct voice to make this much more than a rap album, it's almost a new genre. aside from F. Sean and Cage, Def Jux heavyweights El-P and Aesop Rock take the reins as producers of one song each. unlike many of his contemporaries, Cage has no rappers featured actually rapping on the record, there is supposedly an appearance from Wes Eisold (of Some Girls and XO Skeletons) somewhere on the record, but i can't hear him and i can't find anything that tells me what song it is. i have absolutely zero complaints about this record, i cannot get enough of it. he's finally getting some well deserved fame, the first single, 'I Never Knew You' came with a video directed by Shia LaBeouf with cameos by Alex Pardee, who has worked with The Used and who illustrated the cover, and fellow jukies Aesop Rock, El-P, Yak Ballz, Chauncey. the video also features Dan Byrd. go get this one now, kids. NOW.
