Backbreakanomics

Backbreakanomics:
Dust and manchild are arguably the best 1 DJ/1 MC crew to make noise since Premier and Guru. They've been impressing heads for a few years now and they've definitely earned the respect that they've gained. I personally think that RAW MATERIAL and BLUE COLLAR SESSIONS are among the 10 best LPs and EPs, respectively, to have been released this decade. That being said, I think that BACKBREAKANOMICS is a slight step down for Mars ILL. Right after BCS was released, manchild said that he was trying to change up some of the things that he did on the mic, and it shows on this album. It has a more experimental feel to it. We have to respect their decision to not try and recreate another RAW MATERIAL, and you have to applaud their efforts to not rest on their laurels and progressively move forward in the evolution of their sound. It's just that I can't help but get the feeling that Dust and manchild listened to a little bit too much Company Flow while making this album. I know that this sounds like a negative review, but it really isn't. Each of these guys is still in or near the top 10 of his respective field and they would have a LONG way to fall before I could say that they've made a bad record. BACKBREAKANOMICS is actually a great album, but maybe not quite as accessible as RAW MATERIAL. If you're trying to listen to Mars ILL for the first time, get that album first. BACKBREAKANOMICS is for the heads that want to dig a little deeper.

tha return of tha TRUE hip hop:
how many timez have u heard a secular artist or group claimin' they keep it real in their music, or that they started this whole rap thang? well, mars ILL (lyricist manchild & dj soulheir outta atlanta) consistently makez that kinda hip hop. whether or not they lay claim 2 bein' pioneerz 4 Christian hip hop remainz under debate, but they sound like they could have been, and that countz 4 somethin' in timez like theze. they finally have somethin' that most Christian hip hop artistz don't have: major distribution (tha same label that bringz u grits, out of eden, dj maj, the katinas and (tha rapper fka) knowdaverbs), so it shouldn't b hard 2 find this on a shelf somewhere near u. but if not, do yourself a favour and treat your earz AND inner man by coppin' this collection of cutz. MOST NOTABLE: "afterlife", a sequel 2 their earlier classic "my life"; "planes and trains", a collabo with l.a. symphony rezident iconoclast pigeon john & relative newcomer blueprint; and "alpha male", a song that speakz 2 tha men about what a REAL man iz and doez. peace.

3rd listen a charm:
When I first listend to this CD I wasn't all that impressed. After a couple more times though it started to grow on me. Now I just hit play and let it go all the way through. It's definately a more layed back CD and quickly becoming one of my favorites. Check out cut 03 'Planes and Trains' feat. Pigeon John and Blueprint (very tight). Other favs are 05 'Black Box Artist', 09 'Alpha Male', 12 'Sideline Speech', 13 'Next Door', 14 'Piecemeal' and 17 'Lump Sum'. I should also mention that the content is good. Repin' for God but not in your face preachy (as some take God related music). A good CD for unbeleiving friends.

one of the best of 2004:
i hated this CD when I first picked it up but in the past few months it has really grown on me. Dust is an excellent producer and puts together some really funky catchy arangments that are truly original manchild is a class a spitter and seems to get better and better on the mic with each release. (for a white guy his lyrics are amazing) its good to hear that christian Hiphop can still be original and creative

My First Exposure To Mars Ill:
I came across Mars Ill from their interviews on the Scribble Jam 2003 DVD and after going to their website and finding out that this was their most popular and successful album, I decided to check it out. To my surprise, I wasn't disappointed. ManCHILD can definitely handle himself on the mic and back by Dust's on time production make this a must have. My favorite cut would have to be Planes and Trains featuring Pigeon John and Rhymesayers' own Blueprint, telling by the production on this album, Dust's influences include jazz and blues with almost every track containing a hint or sample of a jazz or blues track. I would have to apologize for my first impression of the group, I recently found out that they are from Atlanta(home of the crunk sound that I despise and I was hoping that Mars Ill didn't fall into that disgraceful category), however I wasnt again disappointed. Underground hip hop has a fan for life.