Three years away has done wonders for the masked supervillain. The rapper who now goes by DOOM (“all big letters but it ain’t no acronym”) comes roaring back to life on the largely self-produced Born Like This.
He’s filled his abdicated spot with greater authority than ever before, patched up the walls punched in from Ghostface’s temper tantrums and assured us that villian-rap’s appeal will remain evergreen as long as it infused with this genius, this wild idiocy, these manic flights of syllabic invention.
Even with a new pseudonym--his AKA sheet includes Zev Love X, Viktor Vaughn, King Geedorah and half of Madvillain--the perpetually hoarse rhymesayer born Daniel Dumile is still dishing out confounding couplets that have become his trademark.
Fortunately DOOM is unable to completely shake off his own best and worst habits, and so Born Like This contains its fair share of the rapper's classic screwball set pieces.
Gripes aside, a good chunk of BORN LIKE THIS.. shows an angrier, more cynical, and, hell, maybe even better DOOM. A day may come when the mask starts to rust, but it's not just yet.
Madlib got all the credit for the production on Madvillainy (deserved or not) but DOOM gets the spotlight back here. He uses plenty of Madlib got all the credit for the production on Madvillainy (deserved or not) but DOOM gets the spotlight back here. He uses plenty of cartoonish samples, but keeps the album grounded with harrowing real-world audio clips. The combination creates an emotional experience that is difficult to find in most hiphop acts today. And yeah, he's still a sharp and engaging rapper. I don't see what there is to be dissapointed in (though building up your legacy through rumors, controversy, nonexistent projects can make your comeback seem anticlimactic). This is one of the best albums I've heard this year, easily the best rap album.…Expand
DOOM is just too deep for the critics. Blah, blah, blah, disassociation, blahblahblah, homophobic, blah, mccain supporter, blahblah, wacky DOOM is just too deep for the critics. Blah, blah, blah, disassociation, blahblahblah, homophobic, blah, mccain supporter, blahblah, wacky couplets. He once said something like - "rhymes so fine his own peeps couldn't follow".…Expand
I agreed the most with the above Pitchfork review where the album takes a few listens to sink in. It is darker in terms of the material he is I agreed the most with the above Pitchfork review where the album takes a few listens to sink in. It is darker in terms of the material he is talking about; cynical I would say. Gazzillion Ear covers all three main pseudonyms: MF, Viktor Vaughn and King Gheedorah, incredible. Regardless, the wait was worth it. All caps when you spell the man's name.…Expand
This album feels like "Operation Doomsday" reinvented. When I first listened to some of the leaked tracks I wasn't sure this album would This album feels like "Operation Doomsday" reinvented. When I first listened to some of the leaked tracks I wasn't sure this album would be any good. But after coppin' it and slappin' some headphones on, I realized that this is one of DOOM's finest albums, just below Vaudville Villain & Madvillainy. With Jake One, Dilla, Madlib and Metal Fingaz himself on the boards you can't go wrong. COP THIS ALBUM! Just don't pay to see him perform live. He probably won't show up. But that's DOOM for ya...A STRAIGHT SUPA VILLAIN!…Collapse
"...elixir for the dry throat/ try to hit the high note/ villain since an itsy-bitsy zygote.." This is just one of a sheer calvalcade of "...elixir for the dry throat/ try to hit the high note/ villain since an itsy-bitsy zygote.." This is just one of a sheer calvalcade of extraordinary couplets from DOOM. And make no mistake, this album is an absolute treat for all fans of real hip hop. So what's so good about it? In short, virtually everything. There's quality production throughout. There's sizzling performances from the guest artists. There's incredibly intricate and expressive rhymes, delivered by a man who's mastered his craft. And there's not a chorus in sight! Listening to DOOM is a gift that keeps on giving - you'll hear something new each time.…Expand
Ive got all of DOOM's albums, this one isnt his best, but if your a fan, its pretty good, about f***ing time he came out with an album Ive got all of DOOM's albums, this one isnt his best, but if your a fan, its pretty good, about f***ing time he came out with an album though....Makes me wonder what the hell he's doing, what happened to Madvillain 2? (and dont give me anything about madlibs remix either) and what happened to Swift and Changeable collab with Ghostface??? What a villain, its worth the money if you can afford it, but I couldnt.…Expand
While I wont really say that this is MF DOOM's best work, it was still an enjoyable project to listen to. As to be expected from DOOM, theWhile I wont really say that this is MF DOOM's best work, it was still an enjoyable project to listen to. As to be expected from DOOM, the lyrics are mostly thought provoking and deep. A couple of songs may be forgettable or uninteresting, though they are countered by those that lie on the opposite side of the spectrum such as the song "That's That".…Expand
