The Mouse And The Mask
by DangerDoom
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 69
  3. Negative: 3 out of 69

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  1. TylerW
    Oct 12, 2005
    10
    Sorry Kanye, this release makes you look pretty bad. Album of the Year. Not just in the hip hop world.
  2. turbod
    Jan 26, 2006
    10
    entire album is pure genius, from start to finish.... lyrics, beats, skits... perfect. played this everyday for weeks now, always brings me up, everyone loves it. more cohesive than mf's other works. tho i highly reccomend madvillany....slightly on the darker side.
  3. DillonF
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    Even ignoring the fact that Dumille is easily the finest emcee hip-hop has to offer, underground or otherwise, Brian Burton's fantastic mix work and the [adult swim] tie-ins make this album not only fantastic but truely unique. Instant-classic hasn't suited another album to come out this year quite how it suits DANGERDOOM.
  4. JohnD
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    It's not quite the revelation as 'Madvillainy' was, but it is a more immediately enjoyable album.
  5. MaxB
    Oct 14, 2005
    10
    Smooth beats, clever rhymes, hilarious sound bites, and nice samples. For the most part, this is a truly enjoyable listen from beginning to end. If you're not a fan of [adult swim] or the latest Gorillaz album (which was produced by Danger and includes a collaboration with Doom), maybe make this an "8", but if you're a fan of both, like myself, this is obviously a must-have record.
  6. HectorD
    Oct 14, 2005
    10
    Best Album of the year!!! Definitely the most fun too....
  7. RileyR
    Oct 19, 2005
    10
    hott album
  8. jorgev
    Oct 26, 2005
    10
    if you're in on the adult swim stuff, you'll flip over this album. if not, it's still enjoyable
  9. GodS
    Oct 31, 2005
    10
    when i first created MF Doom i didnt expect him to do something so spot on. my favorite record since straight outta compton or as nasty as we wanna be. jesus do us all a favor and go marry satan you crucified punk.
  10. NicoDaFlagburna
    Dec 12, 2010
    10
    This album is a counter culture work of genius which borrows popular elements from the mainstream Gorillaz LP and subverts them in what can only be described as one of the most original hip-hop albums of all time. MF Doom is legendary like a modern day Shakespeare who growls and spits with vigour and distaste. Expertly crafted with compressed beats and samples that no one would have theThis album is a counter culture work of genius which borrows popular elements from the mainstream Gorillaz LP and subverts them in what can only be described as one of the most original hip-hop albums of all time. MF Doom is legendary like a modern day Shakespeare who growls and spits with vigour and distaste. Expertly crafted with compressed beats and samples that no one would have the balls to use, it is clear that DangerMouse is a voice for a movement of new school producers who cannot be pigeonholed or defined by genre. The only logical step is for them to create their own. Every track is similar in style and to the duo's credit each attempt is an improvement in quality and leaves you with a satisfied listening experience.… Expand
  11. Dennis
    Oct 14, 2005
    9
    Doom at his best with the livlier, creative production of Danger Mouse. More fun than Madvillian...
  12. Mr.E.S.Pony
    Oct 13, 2005
    9
    Since I'm both a fan of the two primaries on the album and of adult swim this was a marriage made in heaven. A sick, twisted heaven where milkshakes run amok on answering machines and balls of ground meat freestyle, where the master of ceremonies wheres a metal mask and the score to it all is arranged by a rodent.
  13. DanT
    Jan 13, 2006
    9
    Possibly the dopest hip-hop release of 2005
  14. ScottV
    Oct 14, 2005
    9
    Delivers what it promises. DM and Doom work very well together.
  15. knowledgebone
    Oct 15, 2005
    9
    in the sorry world of hip hop today, the mouse and the mask provides some hope. the beats are tight and doom is doom. if you dont like this cd i guess you can always listen to trina
  16. DiabloP
    Dec 4, 2005
    9
    1. Do you like Rap? 2. Do you like Adult Swim? If you said yes or even said maybe to either of those 2 questions go and by this album. It is awesome. DangerMouse and MF Doom are unstoppable.
  17. pelicaine
    Mar 7, 2006
    9
    First and foremost, this CD shows a textbook example on how skits should be done. They are funny and don't interrupt the flow of the abun one bit. That being said, this is a great release. DOOM's rhymes are always fun to listen to lyrically and structurally, though at points I wish that DOOM would have stepped up his rhyming. DangerMouse's beats are on point all the way First and foremost, this CD shows a textbook example on how skits should be done. They are funny and don't interrupt the flow of the abun one bit. That being said, this is a great release. DOOM's rhymes are always fun to listen to lyrically and structurally, though at points I wish that DOOM would have stepped up his rhyming. DangerMouse's beats are on point all the way through. This album does a great job of introducing [adult swim] fans to a new flavor of hip-hop. What a refreshing release that deserves to be in the collection of a hip-hop head that loves creative rhyme schemes (DOOM rhymes whole bars with each other. Put that on your dictionary and suck it.) and some head-nodding beats, go cop it.… Expand
  18. MattA
    Oct 12, 2005
    9
    For those of us who have followed the work of MF Doom and Danger Mouse, as well as love and watch religiously adult swim(and more specifiically Aqua Teen Hunger Force), this album is one of the best of the year. The only place where I was maybe just slightly disappointed was Danger's beats-some of them just didn't seem as fleshed out as they could've been-but other than For those of us who have followed the work of MF Doom and Danger Mouse, as well as love and watch religiously adult swim(and more specifiically Aqua Teen Hunger Force), this album is one of the best of the year. The only place where I was maybe just slightly disappointed was Danger's beats-some of them just didn't seem as fleshed out as they could've been-but other than that, the album is flawless. Currently in my top five of the year.… Expand
  19. VladA.
    Oct 13, 2005
    8
    Solid like MMFood was solid. But it's no Madvillainy. But we all knew that...
  20. WilkesB.
    Dec 1, 2005
    8
    Enjoyable CD, different than anything else I've heard lately. Good beats, funny lyrics. Don't sleep on it.
  21. JorinR
    Nov 26, 2005
    8
    This is the best rap album I have heard in some time. MF Doom's rhymin! is a perfect fit for Danger's hypnotic hypno jams. Shake, you will get a call back!
  22. Benny
    Oct 13, 2005
    8
    About the 5th best Doom album. Some great tracks, not the greatest replay value. I know this will bring new Doom fans so to all of you Listen to Madvillainy, the best rap album of the century so far!
  23. TimN.
    Nov 9, 2005
    8
    I am a big [AdultSwim] fan, and really enjoyed this. Reminds me a lot of Wu Tang Clan, but the beats and lyrics are better. Both a good 'kickin it' album but also rocks the party. Check it out!
  24. ObaloidF
    Oct 12, 2005
    8
    Though one of this albums two collaborators is a Madvillain alum, this album bears little resemblance to that Tour de Force. This album, a good one by all means, does not achieve the "Wow" factor that Madlib brought to the imaculate duo. Madlib is better suited to providing beats for Doom's two+ minute flows. Dangermouse should stick to extremely out-there projects (The Infamous Grey Though one of this albums two collaborators is a Madvillain alum, this album bears little resemblance to that Tour de Force. This album, a good one by all means, does not achieve the "Wow" factor that Madlib brought to the imaculate duo. Madlib is better suited to providing beats for Doom's two+ minute flows. Dangermouse should stick to extremely out-there projects (The Infamous Grey Album) or his recent procudtion job with the Gorillas. His beats are not as coherent to Doom as they could be, but the album succeeds in being a comedy/rap/other album, whether it wanted to be or not. -QWERTY… Collapse
  25. clem666
    Dec 12, 2020
    8
    Unbelievable collaboration! MF Doom is the same as himself: his lyrics are funny, intelligent and intelligible. He still respects the universe he created himself in his late albums and projects. DangerMouse also does his part of the work by giving the best production he has. Some samples are legendary and the fact that he can handle and integrate them smoothly is really honorableUnbelievable collaboration! MF Doom is the same as himself: his lyrics are funny, intelligent and intelligible. He still respects the universe he created himself in his late albums and projects. DangerMouse also does his part of the work by giving the best production he has. Some samples are legendary and the fact that he can handle and integrate them smoothly is really honorable (especially in 'Mad Nice' and 'Basket Case' tracks). We can hear the efforts made by DangerMouse to produce tracks that are both original and not so far from MF Doom's universe and style. Songs are short enough to not get used to it easily. Featurings are as unexpected as awesome, particularly for Talib Kweli and CeeLo Green. The 'Metalface Edition' add some truly decent content with seven songs including interludes. This edition contains more songs I like than the actual classic album version.
    Despite its quality and its critical reception it sadly seems to be once again a collaborative album that will remain a one shot just like the Madvillain one.    … Expand
  26. DillonG
    Jun 19, 2006
    7
    danger doom rocks the hip-hop scene with their intelligent use of comical rhymes, comic book and cartoon characters, and danger mouse is great at mixing beats and at producing. their best guest appearances were obviously Talib Kweli and Ghostface. (cee-lo was alright.) it was abstract and surreal, but it could've integrated more social commentary and been more straight-forward at danger doom rocks the hip-hop scene with their intelligent use of comical rhymes, comic book and cartoon characters, and danger mouse is great at mixing beats and at producing. their best guest appearances were obviously Talib Kweli and Ghostface. (cee-lo was alright.) it was abstract and surreal, but it could've integrated more social commentary and been more straight-forward at times....other than that, very solid first album, and hopefully many more to come.… Expand
  27. Simon
    Nov 2, 2005
    7
    The Good: The Mask (feat Ghostface) The Bad: Old School (feat. Talib Kweli) The Mediocre: The beats. Overall: Good for a Doom fan, though not really essential listening.
  28. DankyM
    Nov 27, 2005
    7
    DangerMouse and MF Doom how can you go wrong? ofcousre by throwing in some lame jokes by cartoon characters and unneeded guest apearences by Cee-lo Ghostface (killa) and Talib Kwali in mean i wish i coulda told Doom "dude im buyin the album to hear you not lame-ass talib kwali" but MF Doom redeems himself on "crosshairs"
  29. MCDish
    Dec 14, 2005
    7
    This album is solid, MF Doom got weird, innate ability to come up with lyrics, and Dj Danger Mouse produces the beats well. Rock solid. However, y'all got to worry if this is for real, or if it's gonna be just a trend.
  30. zeroxxovich
    Feb 20, 2020
    7
    DangerDoom takes some of the best aspects of Doom and fixes some of his less ear-pleasing sounds. With a different production style than most of his solo work and collaborations, this album gives listeners who want to appreciate the lyrical genius of MF Doom but want his bars to be played over more soothing and relaxed beats a great introduction to him. The album still suffers from one ofDangerDoom takes some of the best aspects of Doom and fixes some of his less ear-pleasing sounds. With a different production style than most of his solo work and collaborations, this album gives listeners who want to appreciate the lyrical genius of MF Doom but want his bars to be played over more soothing and relaxed beats a great introduction to him. The album still suffers from one of the drawbacks of Doom, in that unless you are passionately listening and paying attention to the detail his flow can often just be a distraction that passes you by, but the slight changes in the style he adopts on this album makes that easier to stomach. This album, of course, exceeds the industry standards of many fans but compared to Madvillainy or MM...FOOD is not quite up to the standards that Doom fans may expect. The album also does not score as high because apart from 1 or 2 tracks, the album does not create any especially memorable songs. Overall still a great Doom project, that improves on some of his weaknesses but also fumbles some of his strengths.
    Favorite Song: Crosshairs
    Least Favorite Song: Space Hos    … Expand
  31. JesseT
    Oct 11, 2005
    6
    Despite Danger Mouse's great production work and MF Doom's on-point raps, the album as a whole is a sad experiment in melding tv with hip hop--and Comedy Central at that. All of the guest fill-ins by Aqua Teen and such leave it feeling forced and silly. I know to expect humor from MF Doom, but this is pushing it. This makes me feel that this is their best attempt at making this Despite Danger Mouse's great production work and MF Doom's on-point raps, the album as a whole is a sad experiment in melding tv with hip hop--and Comedy Central at that. All of the guest fill-ins by Aqua Teen and such leave it feeling forced and silly. I know to expect humor from MF Doom, but this is pushing it. This makes me feel that this is their best attempt at making this album cross-appealing to young social commentators of the tv world that discredit mainstream rap. Instead of being the best "thinking man's" album which could have been and still kept the add-ins by a more relevant Boondocks, it is a great album fill with at times funny, but dated quips. Good this year but not a classic.… Expand
  32. ChaseM
    Oct 31, 2005
    2
    Extremely overrated. The Adult Swim drops make this a complete novelty. Doom's performances have a distinct "phoned in" feel to them. Danger Mouse's tracks are hot. Doom has done so much better (see Vaudeville Villain). Let's Hope the Ghostface collab. has him back on track.
  33. JesusChirst
    Oct 31, 2005
    0
    the worst thing to ever happen to me since being crucified. satan, right on.
  34. SatanL
    Oct 31, 2005
    0
    it sucked ass

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best Album of 2005
100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2005
60
#60 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. AllMusic
    90
    The best album of the year in the hip-hop underground.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    A hip-hop tour de farce. [14 Oct 2005, p.152]
  3. Lost At Sea
    90
    Anyone intrigued by Doom should adore this album.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »