What makes The Kardashev Scale by Greydon Square notable?

The Kardashev Scale received critical acclaim within the underground hip-hop community, noted for its ambitious thematic scope and complex lyricism. It positioned Greydon Square as an influential figure among artists merging hip-hop with philosophical discourse, particularly resonating within atheist and skeptic circles. When Greydon Square released The Kardashev Scale in 2010, he was establishing himself as a prominent voice in underground hip-hop. Following his previous albums, this project represented a maturation of his lyrical themes, deeply engaging with concepts of atheism and science fiction while continuing to build his reputation for intellectual rigor.

How many songs are on The Kardashev Scale?

The Kardashev Scale has 19 tracks, running approximately 66 minutes.

The Kardashev Scale

Greydon Square · 2010

66 min · 19 tracks · underground hip-hop

A cerebral fusion of intricate wordplay and philosophical inquiry over dynamic beats that challenge conventional hip-hop norms.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Black Atheist — This track confronts societal perceptions of atheism with bold assertions and intricate rhymes, making it a standout representation of the album's core themes.
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Man-Made God — With incisive critiques on religion and spirituality, this track showcases Square's ability to blend personal reflection with broader societal commentary, highlighting his lyrical prowess.
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War Porn — This provocative track addresses violence and media sensationalism, encapsulating the album's exploration of morality and ethics in contemporary society through impactful storytelling.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases complex lyricism and philosophical themes, though its length affects its cohesion.

What we noticed

Each track typically maintains a consistent mid-tempo beat, but several songs incorporate abrupt shifts in rhythm or style, such as the transition from 'War Porn' to 'Stop Me If You've Heard This One…
The lyrics are densely packed with intricate wordplay, requiring focused listening to fully appreciate the depth of meaning in tracks like 'Dopamine Kata' and 'Proof of Concept'.
The running time is extended with 19 tracks, but some songs feel more like sketches or interludes rather than fully developed pieces, impacting the overall cohesion.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 The Kardashev Scale 3:30
2 Star View 3:35
3 Myth 3:50
4 Man-Made God 3:42
5 Brains 4:08
6 World Around Us 4:16
7 Black Atheist 4:39
8 Onward 3:44
9 2010 A.D. 4:05
10 Anti-Injustice Music 1:45
11 As an Artist... 4:32
12 Dopamine Kata 2:34
13 Special Pleading 3:36
14 War Porn 2:46
15 Stop Me If You've Heard This One... (interlude)
16 Proof of Concept 4:10
17 Speak to Him 4:20
18 Final Notes 3:41
19 Stockholm Syndrome 3:59

What to play next

Go back to

The Compton Effect

2007

Full Greydon Square discography Artists like Greydon Square

underground hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata