De La Soul pictures from Artist Direct

"Eleventh Hour" by Del tha Funkee Homosapien

Del's career hasn't proved to be the most fulfilling. Not because he makes bad records, or because he's become irrelevant. It's quite the opposite. Anyone who heard the futuristic funk-nastiness of Deltron3030 can attest that his rhymes and delivery are still a force to be reckoned with. Under different circumstances he could have been big, perhaps a huge star on the levels of Q-Tip and even De La Soul, but instead he's perpetually existed on the margins for his entire career. So is the 11th Hour his last hurrah? Let's hope not. Throughout the album he still manages to fuse classically funky elements with futuristic style beats, in a pairing that serves his off the cuff, cartoon like voice well. Unfortunately, many of the songs sound like he's getting tired in his older age. Perhaps he's simply fed up with making it in the hip-hop game, as he vaguely disses those braggadocio aspects of the genre in the Parliament inspired "Bubble Pop." The track "Last Hurrah" hints further at

Published: 2008-04-02 Provider: Artist Direct

"Kingdom of Sorrow" by Kingdom of Sorrow

Kingdom Of Sorrow is the brainchild of Hatebreed's hardcore hero Jamey Jasta and Down/Crowbar guitarist Kirk Windstein. Now, slow your roll before you go writing this band off and erroneously thinking that Kingdom Of Sorrow is a miscast combo of tough guy hardcore with posi lyrics yelled over crusty, sludgy riffs! Kingdom Of Sorrow mounts its metallic assault through leaden, barge-like guitar work that one would expect from Windstein. He doesn't disappoint, popping off rounds of dirty riffs in the NOLA (tha's New Orleans, LA, for the uninitiated) style that he is known for playing. However, it's Jasta who truly shines, boldly exploring previously uncharted vocal territory. The vocalist, known for his signature hardcore style of talking-singing, takes a real risk that pays off with excellent dividends, lowering his register, taking a step back, and reaching inside his soul to yank out new emotions, new styles, and new throaty patterns. "Grieve" will crush you like a ton of bricks,

Published: 2008-02-21 Provider: Artist Direct