Top tracks — play these first
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Imaginary Places — This track showcases Busdriver's signature rapid-fire delivery and surreal imagery, making it a vivid representation of his lyrical style.
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Gun Control — Addressing societal issues with sharp wit, this track combines humor and critique, encapsulating the album's blend of serious themes and playful delivery.
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Post Apocalyptic Rap Blues — As the closing track, it features a sprawling narrative that captures Busdriver's introspective side while maintaining an experimental soundscape.
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 sound mark it as a standout in underground hip-hop.
What we noticed
- The album features rapid shifts in tempo and style, with tracks often transitioning abruptly from one to another.
- Lyrical delivery is characterized by complex rhyme schemes and dense wordplay, often requiring multiple listens to unpack.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional samples and abstract beats that challenge traditional hip-hop production.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- abstract lyricism and experimentation
- short tracks for quick engagement
- wave-like pacing with contrasts
- thought-provoking themes throughout
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek consistent energy throughout
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Temporary Forever is Busdriver's second album, released in 2002 following his debut, 'Cosmic Cleavage.' At this point, he was establishing himself as a unique voice in underground hip-hop, blending complex wordplay with unconventional production.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aesop Rock· MF DOOM· Shabazz Palaces
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 New Aquarium 1:07
- 2 Imaginary Places 3:15
- 3 Along Came a Biter 4:05
- 4 Idle Chatter 3:38
- 5 Gun Control 3:10
- 6 Mindcrossings 2:56
- 7 Suing Sony 2:46
- 8 Stylin’ Under Pressure 2:19
- 9 Single Cell Ego 2:38
- 10 Somethingness 6:08
- 11 Driver’s Manual 0:49
- 12 The Truth of Spontaneous Human Combustion 4:38
- 13 Opposable Thumbs 4:42
- 14 Unplanned Parenthood 1:43
- 15 Jazz Fingers 4:33
- 16 Reality Sandwich 4:13
- 17 Wrong Route 1:03
- 18 Post Apocalyptic Rap Blues 10:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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