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Joyful Rebellion

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 9 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 16 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Astralwerks
Release Date: 21 September 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rap
Summary
This is the second full-length for the adventurous Canadian rapper, who mixes jazz, reggae and rock with hip-hop. He produced the album himself, and even plays guitar and piano on several tracks.
Also By This Artist: Atlantis: Hymns For Disco
Also On The Web: Astralwerks Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Amazon.com
The wide array of musical reference points show rap's sonic possibilities.
Read Full Review >Urb
A schizophrenic journey into the mind of a man who clearly embraces myriad genres. [Oct 2004, p.103]
All Music Guide
K-Os doesn't necessarily pursue Rebellion's themes far enough. But give him a break -- it's only the cat's second album.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Tracking the spiritual crossroads of hip-hop, reggae, soul, and flamenco, Joyful Rebellion stirs each of those ingredients into an album that, at the very least, deserves acclaim for blending classic and often forgotten Afro-sounds into 04's hip-hop scene.
Read Full Review >Vibe
While k-os's antimaterialist ranting can wear thin at times, Joyful Rebellion builds and improves on the rich, organic, live sound that made his debut, Exit, such a left-field hit. [Nov 2004, p.162]
PopMatters
Joyful Rebellion is indeed a remarkable and ambitious album that aptly demonstrates a rising and vigorous musical mind of which the hip-hop world is most deserving.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
With genre-hopping abandon he enlists Spanish guitars, jazz bass, reggae horns, rock drums and disco synths, relentlessly asserting that commercial viability and imagination don't have to be mutually exclusive. [May 2005, p.112]
Rolling Stone
Gives alt-rap humanism a good name. [28 Oct 2004, p.103]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 16 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
C M gave it a10:
K-OS second album "Joyful Rebellion" is as underrated as TV On the Radio's "Dear Science" is overrated. Songs like "Crucial", "Man I used to be", "Crabbuckit" and especially "The Love Song" are, in its essence, instant classics that could rival OutKast's best recordings. The question is, why is everyone listening to the Black Eyed Peas instead of the K-OS?
Rajith V gave it a10:
Kos has created an album that creatively and intelligently expands hip hop, and gives the audience what it wants. With hits such as Crabbuckit and Neutroniks, the man himself is revolutionizing hip hop to a tee, and making other 'rappers' choke.
Mike P gave it a10:
One of the few hip-hop albums that I have heard latley that doesn't have any "filler" tracks. Each song has something to offer. Give it a listen and I think you'll agree
Michael G. gave it a9:
K-os is one of the few hip-hop artists that I truly enjoy listening to. I like how he combines hip-hop,rock, and other genres together. K-os truely has a unique sound.
Aonghus S gave it a10:
I will not say much about this album as it has to be heard to be fully apreciated.A word of warning it is one seriously addictive album. Every Song a top notch example of K-Os' amazing talents. Not only an album but an insight into K-Os many theories on life and matters.Most definately a classic to put in the rack along with Illmatic, Ready to Die etc. Mixing genres like child play K-Os Really has created a masterpiece her. I cannot praise it enough.
j fray gave it a9:
Great F-ckin album!!!
Jon C gave it a10:
Remarkably diverse, you will be stunned by K-Os. Often times you'll forget you're listening to songs by the same artist. From true folk songs to hip-hop's best beats, this album signifies the emergence of a musical virtuoso who defies genre labeling. Also, how does Crabbuckit, the Juno winner for best Canadian pop song of the year (over other crappy but well known nominees like Shania Twain and Avril Lavignenot get a single play on top 40 radio in the U.S.?
