What makes By the Throat by Eyedea & Abilities notable?

This album received critical acclaim for its ambitious lyrical depth and innovative production, distinguishing it within the underground hip-hop landscape. It marked a significant moment for Eyedea, who was praised for pushing boundaries in both content and style, influencing countless artists in the genre. By the Throat is Eyedea & Abilities' sophomore album, released after their acclaimed debut, E&A. At this point, Eyedea was solidifying his reputation as a profound lyricist in the underground hip-hop scene, following significant recognition from the 2004 Scribble Jam rap battle championship.

How many songs are on By the Throat?

By the Throat has 11 tracks, running approximately 29 minutes.

By the Throat

Eyedea & Abilities · 2009

29 min · 11 tracks · hip-hop

A cerebral blend of rapid-fire verses and intricate beats that challenge conventional hip-hop structures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hay Fever — Opening with an irrefutable urgency, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of intense personal struggles through vivid imagery.
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Time Flies When You Have a Gun — This brief yet impactful piece encapsulates themes of existential dread and societal critique, demonstrating Eyedea's ability to convey complex ideas succinctly.
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Forgive Me for My Synapses — In just over a minute, this track dives into psychological introspection, showcasing Eyedea's unique approach to narrative structure and lyrical density.
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By the Throat — The title track serves as a climactic reflection on the album's overarching themes of struggle and resilience, combining haunting beats with powerful delivery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate production and profound lyrics create a unique listening experience that rewards deep engagement.

What we noticed

Lyrically, Eyedea employs dense, abstract verses that require attentive listening to unpack their meaning.
The final track serves as a reflective conclusion, contrasting with the frenetic energy of earlier songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Smile

The verse shifts perspectives dramatically, tracing a journey from despair to a tentative hopefulness in its closing lines.

This structural choice reinforces the album's thematic exploration of inner conflict, moving from darkness toward a glimmer of light.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Hay Fever 2:20
2 Spin Cycle 3:39
3 Time Flies When You Have a Gun 1:44
4 Burn Fetish 2:55
5 Sky Diver 4:16
6 Junk 2:46
7 Forgive Me for My Synapses 1:02
8 This Story 2:33
9 Factory 1:55
10 Smile 4:02
11 By the Throat 2:41

What to play next

Go back to

E&A

2004

Full Eyedea & Abilities discography Artists like Eyedea & Abilities

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata