Search - Aceyalone :: All Balls Don't Bounce

Aceyalone is Runnin For Mayor

Jonathan C. Hamlet | USA | 09/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Acey is a truly amazing MC, a literate guy in general who's wordplay isn't just smart, it's practically poetic.



So, why would I review an album from 1995? Well, I just got it is excuse number one, and excuse number two is All Balls Don't Bounce was just reissued. An extra CD of videos and remixes is on it, and that's a nice accompaniment and no-cost add on to album. In general, the production is spacey. It's reminiscent of early DJ Shadow and present day 9th Wonder. That makes the fact that this is an underground hit even more surprising because of the fact that the sound and beats are pretty close to present day underground beats. The really resonating part of this album is Acey's flow. A.C. Alone floats, bounces, and riffs over the beats, at times almost as arhythmic as a beat poet, as jazzy as a bebop scatter, and as tight as an old-school speed rapper. While the sound of Aceyalone is recognizable almost instantly, the album stays fresh because he varies his flow and rhythm constantly, and the depth and intricate word play of his rhymes reinforces the diversity and eclecticism of the album.



Highlights are the comical, staggering "Analilia?", the trippy "Mr. Outsider," thumping anthem "All Balls," old-school "Mic Check", and hard sucker punch of "Arhythmaticulas." It's overall an album worth checking out and owning, especially with this extra CD of remixes and remastered production that comes with the 2004 reissue. Abstract Rude guest spots also enhance the experience, whether you're looking for trip-hop, old school, or tight underground work Acey's "All Balls Don't Bounce" pack it all, and with some wicked string basslines.



Universal soldier he is.

"

An unbeatable tandem of two cd's here

DukeOfEarl | Phoenix, AZ United States | 01/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aceyalone is fastly growing as my favorite MC(watch out Rakim)! I bought this a while ago and put the first cd into the stereo in my mother's car, and she forgot to tell me that the stereo was broken. It basically ate the disc. I listened to the bonus cd, and waited for her to get the stereo fixed, but I couldn't wait any longer...I went out and bought this album all over again! I have "Inner City Griots," "A Book...," and both Haiku D'Etat albums, but this was a different Aceyalone. I wasn't impressed by some of the songs during the first run-through, but then again, you have to listen to these songs many times just to GRASP what Aceyalone is spittin'.

This album gives you a glimpse of Aceyalone the MC, rather than Acey the poet as he has become since; both sides of him are exceptional. This album wasn't as polished as "A Book of Human Language," but then again, what is? Therefore, you peep some of the rawness that he accelerated with back in the early '90s. I think what makes Aceyalone such a great MC is that he has been outstanding in so many aspects as an MC through his career. His voice is familar, but easily accessible and he constantly changes inflection or flow from verse to verse. Ace definitely has skill at writing intricate rhyme schemes(internal, multi-syllabic). He's excellent for entertainment, substance, and he can play himself as anything ranging from the best thing since sliced bread to just a broke bum on the street or a nobody. He has some of the best battle quotes, but he can also get educational to the listener. Ace can go a little political, make some profound social comments, or go full-blown uplifting/empowering to spiritual. He can flow fast if he wants to, or just sit back and drop poetry.

One thing Ace has been revered for throughout his career has been his wordplay and vocabulary. I know he's been described as having a love of language, and using it at his full disposal. "All Balls Don't Bounce" displays his crafy wordplay and amazing vocab at his best. This album is abstract rapping at it's finest! Actually, once you listen to the album a few times through, every song is excellent in their own way. My favorites are "Mr. Outsider," "Arhythmaticulas," and "Headaches and Woes." "Keep It True" was great too, although having a chorus that I wouldn't expect from him, the song is relaxing and mind-bending as he and Abstract Rude hit you with tons of knowledge.

Acey scares away MC's on with jams like "Anywhere You Go," and "Mic Check"-two of my other favorite songs. "Deep and Wide" is a short track w/ Ab Rude that is smooth and enlightening. "Knownots" has Ab Rude and Mikah 9(a future Haiku D'Etat lineup) and I didn't like at first, with a repeated saying that sounds silly and immature for them, but eventually I embraced their stylings on this song, along with the throwback beat. You may just find yourself saying that phrase to others after hearing this song(Yeah..., you just not knowing)! The vocab is OVERFLOWING on "The Greatest Show on Earth," which I don't think I'll ever be able to fully comprehend. Ab Rude and Ace get witty on "B-Boy Kingdom," although P.E.A.C.E. drops a stale verse at the end. Ace shows he even had a comical side, which can be found on joints like "Annalillia" and "Makeba," both dedicated to two separate ladies. "Makeba" is a sultry, mature jam about a lost love, and "Annalillia" is comical and upbeat about trying to get a girl out of his league. The bonus cd is great as well. You get maybe even better mixes of "Headaches and Woes" and "Mic Check"- both with an extra or a different verse than the originals. Plus, other unreleased, outstanding songs like "Show Your Right," "Nobodys," and the empowering "Believe In Yourself"(which I believe he recorded at the beginning of 2004, just for this bonus cd).

Aceyalone has always been dropping his thoughts and philosophies, especially on "A Book...," and even the young Acey offered some up on this album, only in a more abstract way. "All Balls," "Mr. Outsider," and "The Greatest Show on Earth" epitomize abstract philosophies. You gotta love how Acey flexes his rapid-fire tongue-flipping flow on "Arythmaticulas," and overall, he is at his rawest and uninhibited self on this album. He's wasn't afraid to cuss here or there if it helped him express his thoughts and emotions. This is definitely an album I will be listening to constantly from now on, both of them actually. The production ranges from excellent("Headaches and Woes"- I love the lighter, bouncy feel) to minimal("Mr. Outsider," a few others). "All Balls Don't Bounce" may not quite have the classic status of his sophomore "A Book...," but this one stands right up there with it, and combined with the bonus cd, this is a must-buy! Just don't make me decide which album is better, I need them both in my life, and I will hurt anyone who trys to take either one away from me."

Hip-Hop Essential!

F. Dang | 07/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel pity for those of you who think that 50 Cent and Eminem are great hip-hop lyricists, they have nothin' on Aceyalone, he could easily outrap them for days, real hip-hop lives on the underground y'all, buy this if you love hip-hop and not pop rap!"