Self-Preservation [Enhanced]

Amazon.com
Encore's solo debut is one of those gems that begs to be experienced by the non-diggin'-in-the-crates crowd. First heard by many on "Waterworld" (from The Handsome Boy Modeling School comp), this Bay-area MC sounds something like an amalgam of Jeru and Planet Asia, in terms of subject matter, cadence, wordplay, and delivery. His rapid-fire monotone flow shines bright on "Esoteric," where he boasts that "peons try to hate what we on / but still lean on my pillars of poetry." Unlike the Ja Rules of the world, Encore's lyrics are littered with clever rhyme quotables combined with a twist of Afro-centered Egyptology. ".084" is a refreshingly honest autobiographical headbanger that details how Encore's bout with the bottle helped him find Allah. Thankfully, producer Architect's drum patterns and cuts are perfectly tailored to suit Encore's flow. "Self Preservation" is the album's sole spoken-word number, featuring The Bishop: it's the icing on the cake, intellectually invigorating like Louis Farrakhan. Self Preservation is perfect for hip-hoppers into thought-provoking, intelligent rhymes matched with equally impressive beats. --Dalton Higgins

Tracks:

The Bio
For You
Esoteric (Exec Anthem)
Love & Hate (The Mellow Drama)
Considadis
.084
The View
E.T.
Sporadic
The Situation
Live From S.F.
Takin' It
Self Preservation
It's Going Down

Amazon.com

Encore's solo debut is one of those gems that begs to be experienced by the non-diggin'-in-the-crates crowd. First heard by many on "Waterworld" (from The Handsome Boy Modeling School comp), this Bay-area MC sounds something like an amalgam of Jeru and Planet Asia, in terms of subject matter, cadence, wordplay, and delivery. His rapid-fire monotone flow shines bright on "Esoteric," where he boasts that "peons try to hate what we on / but still lean on my pillars of poetry." Unlike the Ja Rules of the world, Encore's lyrics are littered with clever rhyme quotables combined with a twist of Afro-centered Egyptology. ".084" is a refreshingly honest autobiographical headbanger that details how Encore's bout with the bottle helped him find Allah. Thankfully, producer Architect's drum patterns and cuts are perfectly tailored to suit Encore's flow. "Self Preservation" is the album's sole spoken-word number, featuring The Bishop: it's the icing on the cake, intellectually invigorating like Louis Farrakhan. Self Preservation is perfect for hip-hoppers into thought-provoking, intelligent rhymes matched with equally impressive beats. --Dalton Higgins

Customer Reviews:

I've been sleeping too long!!!.......2004-03-09

I recently seen Encore perform with Hiero and Little Brother. He flowed so nice that I had to pick up Self Preservation. Encore has to be one of the most underrated cats in the game. I should know. I was one of the many that didn't pick this up in 2000. Almost every joint is tight. A few of the guests are hot as well. Especially Grand the Visitor and Pep Love. I know his new joint, Layover, is dropping today so be sure to get both. Encore is one of the best in the game. Period.

An impressive debut, expect even better things.......2002-12-05

The production isn't overbearing, allowing Encore to display his considerable talent as an emcee. The all-but necessary guest rappers detract from the overall listening experience, but Encore enters in the knick of time to salvage every song. Consider this album a precursor to better things and get excited about this Bay Area emcee, not only can he seriously flow, he's got a mind to match. This will be his greatest asset in an increasingly unintellectual genre.

utterly un-noteworthy.......2001-04-08

Encore has a good flow. He has good lyrics. The beats are good. Ho-hum. This album is so boring. It's so average good which i think is less interesting than abominably bad though i wouldn't necessarily listen to either. Like Rasco, Planet Asia, and others, Encore is a good emcee who can be great on individual tracks but would you really want to listen a whole album's worth of tracks that add up to not much more than a few ideas, not many of which are original? If you're looking for more of the same, this is the album to get!

An Impressive Debut from a 5% Lyricist.......2000-12-23

I first heard Encore on Rasco's "Time Wait's for No Man"LP and his highly syllabic style over solid yet minimalist caught my ear immediately. His producer Architect's grooves are quite reminiscent of early DJ Premier and Eric B. productions, and with Encore's highly syllabic weavy flow, comparisons to Rakim's "Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em" and Nasty Nas's "Illmatic" are the most accurate I can make. Although not nearly as insightful as Nas's first LP and not as lyrically monumental as Rakim's third release, this album deserves a spot amongst the most impressive releases of the couple years. The most significant flaw in this album is that it is not innovative. Encore's style is that of an early to mid-nineties ill lyricist. Had this cd come out 5 or 6 years ago it would have been groundbreaking. As it is it's still an impressive release and if you enjoy artists like Rakim and Nas you WILL enjoy this album.

tight.......2000-04-02

Idon't own this album, but I heard this cat freestylin on the Wakeup Show and he gets ILL! So I checked him out on here and it's tight!

Average customer rating:

An Ugly Display of Self-Preservation
Frankenstein
Manufacturer: Meat House
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000NJWJD4
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

This Palpitating Thing
Lovecraft
Devil in a Bottle
13th Floor
Thunderjug
Black Train Rollin'
Swamp Twang Thang
She Casts No Shadow
Jesus With a Big V-8
Black Lung
Flesh Garage
Strange Movies
Bubblin' Blood

Average customer rating:

Actung Cramps fans!

An Ugly Display of Self-Preservation
Frankenstein
Manufacturer: Fiend Force Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002U9HUC
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Tracks:

This Palpitating Thing
Lovecraft
Devil in a Bottle
13th Floor
Thunderjug
Black Train Rollin'
Swamp Twang Thang
She Casts No Shadow
Jesus With a Big V-8
Black Lung
Flesh Garage
Strange Movies
Bubblin' Blood

Customer Reviews:

Actung Cramps fans!.......2005-06-26

Not bad. These guys sound like a more "Heavy Metal" version of the Cramp's later albums- especially on gems like "black lung", "flesh garage", and "she casts no shadow". Also recomened to lovers of "Psycho-billy" (ie Demented Are Go) and fans of Wednesday 13, Misfits, Rob Zombie and classic Alice.