Raising Hell review

The 3rd album by the acclaimed hip-hop trio Run-D.M.C., who are an influential part of hip hop's golden age. This is their most popular album.

Tracks:

1. Peter Piper: 5/10 despite the embarrassing lyrics, this nevertheless is well-executed, the rhythm is punchy and it will have been incredible back when it was new.

2. It's Tricky: 6/10 repetitive and badly written, but perhaps with this group it's more about the production, which isn't too bad here.

3. My Adidas: 6/10 it is catchy, but oh boy does it sound dated.

4. Walk This Way: 7/10 an effective and enjoyable (Though nothing more) mix of rap and rock which remains an iconic song.

5. Is it Live: 5/10 once again: good production, awful lyrics and a general sense of repetitiveness.

6. Perfection: 5/10 ditto.

7. Hit it Run: 5/10 mostly the same, only this time we also have annoying beatboxing to enjoy as well.

8. Raising Hell: 7/10 definitely an improvement, largely since they actually bother to do intelligent rhymes here.

9. You Be Illin': 5/10 more of the same.

10. Dumb Girl: 5/10 another one where it will just be an acquired taste, but where many will and seem to love it. If you're as lyric-focused as me, you won't have the best time.

11. Son of Byford: 6/10 not as bad as it could have been and it packs in a couple of decent beats and rhymes into 30 seconds.

12. Proud to be Black: 6/10 an acceptable ending with a nice message.

Best: Walk This Way
Worst: Hit it Run

Summary: Wow, is this overrated or what? So many people seem to love this album and I just can't see why. Yes, in terms of music production the album is fine and it was and remains influential. But influential doesn't make something good. For example, The Blair Witch Project has been a huge influence on found footage horror and you'll have a hard time finding anyone who still likes that movie. The songs are indistinguishable from each other, the lyrics are as simplistic as a children's nursery rhyme and on the whole it just sounds incredibly dated. These guys may be regarded as huge hip-hop legends, but compared to Eminem, Public Enemy, Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and many others, they simply can't hold a lit match, let alone a candle. Still, it is well-done and it's a certain style, so if you like this style of hip hop and are less lyric-focused than me, give it a go.



Final rating: 5/10