Eyedea & Abilities - By The Throat
List Price:
Our Price: $8.89
You Save: $5.09 (36%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $7.79 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: Eyedea & AbilitiesEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2009-07-21
Music Label: Rhymesayers
Soundtracks:
- Hay Fever
- Spin Cycle
- Time Flies When You Have A Gun
- Burn Fetish
- Sky Diver
- Junk
- Forgive Me For My Synapses
- This Story
- Factory
- Smile
- By The Throat
Music reviews of By The Throat
Music Review: Not what most people were hoping for.
Rating: 4 Stars
(Original/revised review, see edits at the end) I'm a huge fan of Eyedea. From discovering a brand new album called First Born from a "new and upcoming rapper", way back in the days of Audiogalaxy and Napster, through his entirely self written, self produced near-masterpiece The Many Faces. On to E&A, a still strong but disappointing return of the acclaimed duo, and then through these last few years of Eyedea's exploration of grunge, alternative, freestyle performance and jazz. Eyedea has, as an artist and as a lyricist, has had nothing but a huge impact on me as a hip hop fan and as a person, and on the underground scene. I have nothing but respect.
But with all that said, this album just leaves me feeling a little let down. It's not that it's a big departure from what I would've expected. Of course many of us were hoping for the return of the pure, all hip hop sound of First Born and E&A. This isn't that, entirely. For those familiar with Eyedea's side project Carbon Carousel (grunge/alternative), the sounds on By The Throat are noticeably influenced by that style. A few of these tracks sound like they should maybe be under the Carbon Carousel name, and not under the guise of E&A. There is some pure hip hop mixed in, however, which results in sort of an overall fusion of that grunge/alternative/live band/hip hop sound, with occasional skills by DJ abilities on the turntables.
Here's my two biggest issues with this release. One, is that it's just clearly not the Eyedea & Abilities everybody's familiar with. You just know half the people that buy this record aren't going to get what they expect. And my other issue is, 29 minutes? Seriously? This is pretty much an EP, not a full length. This isn't the E&A of old.
Overall, This isn't the big reunion and homecoming most of us wanted. This is a brand new Eyedea, with an almost completely new sound (since "E&A"). But if you can listen with an open mind, and can deal with imperfection (and short length), this release isn't bad. If you're a fan of Eyedea as an artist, and not just the old E&A sound, give it a chance. But some may be disappointed here.
Update 7/25/09: After a couple more spins, I will say a few more good things. Eyedea is clearly more honest and introspective (and somber) in this release than previous E&A albums, and a couple of the tracks on this album are great. It also has good replay value, this is the kind of album that grows on you the more you listen to it. But with all that said, it's still 29 minutes and it still lacks some cohesion and refinement.
Update 8/10/09: Have listened to the album a lot more now. Still disappointed in the short length and it still feels a bit unpolished. But I will say that the more I listen to it, the more I think Eyedea's on to something. A few of the tracks on here are strong, and hint at a sound that--if refined and expanded on some more--could blossom into something much bigger.
Updated 2/9/11: I've felt obligated to come back and edit this review one more time, especially since the passing of Micheal Larsen (Eyedea). I've listened to this album thoroughly to date. I also was tremendously lucky to see him perform some of these songs live in late July. Seeing with my own eyes what he'd become as an artist and performer (since the last time I'd seen him was 2007), I'm now convinced that not only is By The Throat more real and raw than I could ever realize just by listening to it on its own, but that Eyedea was on the verge of creating a brilliant new beast--beyond this--that this album was only a preamble to. But that's not to say brilliance isn't found on this release, and it is. It's a release that, in my opinion, defines (defined) his evolution as an artist. It's a tragedy his life, and art, was cut short. Buy this if you're a fan, and if you want a glimpse into something unique, genuine, and at times brilliant and ultimately tragic. Just don't forget, it's still only 29 minutes, which really the only significant drawback to this release. I've deleted some of the negativity of my original review and upped it from 3 to 4 stars.
R.I.P. Mikey.
Description of By The Throat
After a five year break exploring new sounds and building their personal repertoires, Eyedea & Abilities return with the follow up to their 2004 critically acclaimed sophomore album "E&A". With biting guitars, fuzzy keyboards, melodic choruses, and some of their most intricate turntable work to date, "By The Throat" cuts right to the vein and advances far beyond the duo's battle tested history (winners of HBO Blaze Battle, Rocksteady, Scribble Jam and the DMC's). Confirmed for the 2009 Rock The Bells Tour, and a headlining tour this September.Pop CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Pop CDs
Yvette Freeman - Dinah Was (L.A. Theatre Works Audio Theatre Collection)Release date: 2005-04-12; Music CD
Best price: $18.86
Price in other shops:
Twin Sisters Productions - Building Character Music CDTWIN SISTERS PRODUCTIONS; Release date: 2007-01-01; Music CD
Best price: $6.75
Price in other shops:
Bernadette Peters in ConcertDVD
Best price: $82.99
Everything Must Go/ Two Against Natureby Steely Dan
Published: 2003; Music CD
Scattered Ashes: A Decade Of Emperial WrathRelease date: 2009-07-28; Published: 2009; Music CD
Best price: $13.71
Price in other shops:
![Christmas at the Biltmore Estate [VHS] Image](/images/Christmas-at-the-Biltmore-Estate-VHS-076700437X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Christmas at the Biltmore Estate [VHS]A&E Home Video; Release date: 1998-09-04; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.20
Price in other shops:
The Shadow: Rare Radio Gems (Rare Radio Gems)Release date: 2002-09-01; Published: 2002-09-01; Music CD
Best price: $20.00
Price in other shops:
On the Shoulders of Giants, Vol. 1: An Audio & Musical Journey Through the Harlem Renaissanceby Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Release date: 2011-09-06; Published: 2008; Music CD
Best price: $1.98
Price in other shops:
Francis Durbridge, Paul Temple & The Gilbert Case - Radio ShowRelease date: 2003-05-12; Music CD
Best price: $21.60
Price in other shops:
The Serenaders - My One and Only YouRelease date: 2011-05-28; Music CD
Best price: $8.59
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
P.O.S - Never BetterRelease date: 2009-02-03; Music CD
Best price: $5.22
Price in other shops:
Hail Mary Mallon - Are You Gonna Eat That?Release date: 2011-06-07; Music CD
Best price: $10.82
Price in other shops:
Atmosphere - The Family SignRelease date: 2011-04-12; Music CD
Best price: $6.79
Price in other shops:
Shadows On The SunRelease date: 2003-05-27; Music CD
Best price: $9.84
Price in other shops:
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit GoldBaker & Taylor; Release date: 2008-04-22; Music CD
Best price: $10.82
Price in other shops:
Atmosphere - God Loves UglyRelease date: 2002-06-11; Music CD
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
Grieves - Together/ ApartRelease date: 2011-06-21; Music CD
Best price: $7.39
Price in other shops:
First BornRelease date: 2002-05-10; Music CD
Best price: $8.53
Price in other shops:
The Many Faces of Oliver HartRelease date: 2001-10-10; Music CD
Best price: $8.78
Price in other shops:
Eyedea & Abilities - E & ARelease date: 2004-03-23; Music CD
Best price: $11.10
Price in other shops: