DEFINITIVE JUX is proud to present 'Depart From Me' - the latest full-length album, from underground/indie-rap legend CAGE, aka CHRIS PALKO. The follow-up to "Hell's Winter?, his 2005 critically-acclaimed LP, "Depart From ... more »Me? continues Cage's musical saga of a no-holds-barred, brutally autobiographical journey through his past and present. Plagued by abuse, institutionalization, drugs, and violence throughout his life, these nightmarish experiences have permeated his art and defined the music he makes today. Cage's music is truly reflective of a reality far stranger than fiction. On "Depart From Me? Cage illuminates the struggles he's faced upon entering a world that continues to be a source of loss and confusion. He's helped along in this task with production by El-P, F. SEAN (HATEBREED), the late CAMU TAO and also AESOP ROCK.« less
DEFINITIVE JUX is proud to present 'Depart From Me' - the latest full-length album, from underground/indie-rap legend CAGE, aka CHRIS PALKO. The follow-up to "Hell's Winter?, his 2005 critically-acclaimed LP, "Depart From Me? continues Cage's musical saga of a no-holds-barred, brutally autobiographical journey through his past and present. Plagued by abuse, institutionalization, drugs, and violence throughout his life, these nightmarish experiences have permeated his art and defined the music he makes today. Cage's music is truly reflective of a reality far stranger than fiction. On "Depart From Me? Cage illuminates the struggles he's faced upon entering a world that continues to be a source of loss and confusion. He's helped along in this task with production by El-P, F. SEAN (HATEBREED), the late CAMU TAO and also AESOP ROCK.
"Cage Palko is back with his sophmore release on indie rap label, 'Def Jux'. Easily their most emotionally unpredictable artist, Cage slows down his flow a bit. A project that would be almost four years in the making; delivers what he calls his most personal lyrics to date.
'DFM' is more diverse than any previous releases, with production written primarily around live instruments. Upon first listen, alot of it reminded me of Beastie Boy's 'Check Your Head'. Only half of it though, the other half being more polished, dark, much like 'Movies for the Blind'.
I associate many of these artists with the early underground hip-hop movement, and while becoming more successful maintain a musical quality that far surpasses the norm. 'Hells Winter'(2005) really was a foot in the door for Cage, his lyrical delivery was fierce! He has less to prove here, some songs work better than others but the creative direction is credible. 'Depart From Me' is a Dope record !!"
Epic fail
ickytips | Salt Lake City, UT | 01/29/2010
(1 out of 5 stars)
"hmm... i'm a huge Cage fan. ever since Smut Peddlers. Weatherproof, Movies for the Blind, Hell's Winter, all amazing. Leak Bros. (Cage Kennylz & Tame One) "Waterworld" is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time. Nighthawks is good too (R.I.P. Camu Tao).
what happened? i understand that musicians evolve, their styles change, and i totally respect that; i look forward to it. but it's not a style change that makes this record terrible, it's simply terrible. make me wait nearly 5 years for this? i was sooooo stoked when this album finally dropped. then i listened to it. it didn't click, which happens a lot, you know, sometimes you have to listen to a record a few times and it finally clicks. i listened over and over, trying to make myself like it and enjoy what i was hearing. didn't happen.
all-in-all, i'm extremely disappointed. i'm sure all the hipster kids with black hair are satisfied, but not me, along with many others with whom i associate. i want raparations!"
Best yet!!!
steven C. | haverhill ma | 07/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i been a cage fan since his beginning with agent orange and radiohead. we all grow up and change. cage style changed and hes not affraid to admit it. rapping about sex and drugs gets old. theres more to life and music. i loved hells winter but man this cd is amazing, i just got it and been playing it out nonstop. my fav song is captain bumout. i definetly recoomened this cd. fans of any indie scence or underground hiphop especially."
Balance of Options
Physical Evidence | Gallatin, TN USA | 09/19/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The long-awaited four years in the making follow-up to his 2005 duet on Def(initive)Jux(taposition)"Hell's Winter". Cage I believe is one of these artist you have to really sit down and listen too. Because his style changes from one album to another. Which isn't a bad thing, but when your in a world where people expect the samething (killing, money, sex ect) then you probably wouldn't get the respect you should. If you was to listen to a earlier album like perhaps "Movies for the Blind" you would probably ask if the man that did "Depart from Me" is the same dude. Believe me it is! Cage is a outcast from todays hip-hop artist meaning he didn't sell out to get where he is. If your that type of person that is into Gangster Rap then this album is not for you. People always seem to hate this statement I always make, but I do it anyhow and here it goes: 'Eminem copy his style from Cage (at least his earlier stuff)' So if you like a mix of hip-hop style then I think your love this album. Head over to [...] and download the free e.p from Cage title "I Never Knew You" and listen to a sample your get out of this album."
Straight Dope
Paul C. O'nolan | Irving, TX | 08/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not one of the reviewers that jumped on the Cage bandwagon early on.... I hadn't heard any of dude's material until I copped Hell's Winter. I didn't like Hell's Winter at all... but this work is such a progression from that album and I love every song on here. The beats are original and engaging, the lyrics are sick, the themes of the songs are good... hell even the hooks are great. The only complaint that I have is that some of the songs are too short, so the whole album comes in at right around 45 minutes which is kind of short for a hip-hop album."