Rome
Armand Hammer · 2017
43 min · 14 tracks · hip-hop
Dense, introspective lyricism intertwines with experimental beats, creating a haunting atmosphere that resonates with urban realities.
Top tracks — play these first
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Dead Money — This track encapsulates the album's thematic depth, confronting economic despair and survival with sharp imagery and incisive wordplay that highlights social injustices.
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Microdose — Through layered metaphors and vivid storytelling, this track offers a reflection on existence and perception, showcasing the duo's ability to blend personal introspection with broader societal critique.
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Fanon’s Ghost — Named after the influential thinker Frantz Fanon, this track delves into colonial legacies and identity struggles, representing the intellectual backbone of the album’s narrative arc.
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Dianetics — This song stands out for its dissection of belief systems and personal revelations, demonstrating the duo's skill at merging abstract concepts with relatable human experiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate lyricism and experimental production create a unique listening experience that rewards repeated plays.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features dense, layered production with complex rhythms, while the second half shifts to more minimalist beats and introspective themes.
- Each track typically features a dual vocal approach, with billy woods and Elucid alternating verses, creating a dialogue that deepens the lyrical content.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional sound samples and effects, contributing to an experimental atmosphere that enhances the thematic weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pakistani Brain 2:18
- 2 Dead Money 3:31
- 3 Tread Lightly 3:10
- 4 Carnies 2:25
- 5 Dry Ice 2:35
- 6 Microdose 4:02
- 7 Fanon’s Ghost 2:42
- 8 Shammgod 4:00
- 9 Stole 3:05
- 10 It Was Written 2:27
- 11 Dianetics 3:39
- 12 Pergamum 3:43
- 13 Barbarians 4:15
- 14 Overseas [epilogue] 1:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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