Dagger Mouth
Swollen Members · 2011
52 min · 16 tracks · alternative hip-hop
A gritty blend of raw beats and introspective lyrics that showcase the group's lyrical prowess and alternative hip-hop roots.
Top tracks — play these first
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Do or Die — This opening track sets a fierce tone with aggressive delivery and hard-hitting beats, encapsulating the group’s determination and resilience.
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Night Vision — Blending atmospheric production with introspective lyrics, this track showcases the members’ ability to navigate darker themes while maintaining their signature style.
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War Money — Highlighting socio-political commentary wrapped in sharp verses, this song reflects the group’s engagement with contemporary issues, making it stand out thematically.
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Electric Chair — With its haunting beat and powerful lyrics, this track exemplifies the emotional weight present throughout the album, resonating deeply with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album maintains a solid structure with varied themes and pacing, reflecting the group's established style.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo beat, while the second half introduces more varied rhythms and pacing.
- Lyrical themes shift from personal introspection in earlier tracks to broader societal commentary in later ones.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- raw energy for late nights
- introspective vibes for deep focus
- short bursts of engaging tracks
- dynamic interludes that shift moods
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of polished production
- prefer longer, cohesive pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Dagger Mouth' was released in 2011, Swollen Members had already established themselves as key figures in the Canadian hip-hop scene, following their previous album 'Armed to the Teeth' from 2009. This album marked a continued evolution in their sound, integrating darker themes and more complex production elements, reflecting their growth as artists.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dilated Peoples· Jurassic 5· Aesop Rock
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Do or Die 3:27
- 2 The Shining 4:06
- 3 Night Vision 3:48
- 4 Mr. Impossible 2:32
- 5 Calming of the Beast (interlude) 0:32
- 6 Moonshine 3:31
- 7 House of Sin 2:59
- 8 Chemical Imbalance 2:06
- 9 Fire 2:29
- 10 Fresh Air 3:24
- 11 War Money 4:16
- 12 The Predator 2:51
- 13 Devil 3:29
- 14 White Python / Black Tarantula / Sound of the Drum 4:41
- 15 Electric Chair 4:10
- 16 Bring Me Down (Swollen mix) 4:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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