Armed to the Teeth
Swollen Members · 2009
66 min · 18 tracks · alternative hip-hop
Fierce beats and sharp lyrics collide, showcasing an aggressive yet introspective stance in alternative hip-hop.
Top tracks — play these first
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Reclaim the Throne — This opening track sets the tone for the album, featuring powerful verses that assert the group's dominance and commitment to their craft.
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Porn Star — With its provocative lyrics and catchy beat, this track exemplifies the band's ability to blend humor with social commentary around fame and identity.
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Warrior — This song taps into themes of resilience and strength, showcasing personal stories while maintaining a fierce energy that resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive beats with introspective lyrics, showcasing solid production and varied vocal styles.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong, aggressive track that sets a fierce tone, followed by several tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
- Lyrical themes shift between introspection and bravado, often within the same song, creating a dynamic contrast.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal deliveries, with verses alternating between solo lines and call-and-response patterns.
- The production employs heavy bass and sharp percussion, with some tracks incorporating orchestral elements for added depth.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- sharp lyricism with bold delivery
- dynamic pacing throughout the album
- engaging hooks for group listening
- playful irreverence in storytelling
- late-night drive energy
Maybe skip if you
- prefer calm, minimalistic sounds
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Armed to the Teeth is Swollen Members' fifth studio album, released in 2009 during a phase of renewed creativity following a brief hiatus. The band aimed to reclaim their place in the underground scene after experiencing commercial success with earlier albums and lineup changes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dilated Peoples· Jurassic 5· Aesop Rock
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Reclaim the Throne 3:21
- 2 Porn Star 3:23
- 3 Kyla 3:29
- 4 Red Dragon 3:09
- 5 Bollywood Chick 4:46
- 6 Meltdown 3:08
- 7 My Life 4:36
- 8 Bang Bang 4:38
- 9 Here We Come 3:14
- 10 Warrior 4:50
- 11 Certified Dope 3:30
- 12 Funeral March 3:51
- 13 Flyest 3:34
- 14 Lonely One 3:27
- 15 Crossfire 2:44
- 16 Concerto 2:28
- 17 Dumb 3:35
- 18 Real P.I. 4:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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