You've already heard "Insane In The Brain", but believe it or not, that's not the groups only work. In fact, that single wouldn't even appear for another two more years on their second album. The first matter of business was their self titled debut, which was also surprisingly popular. The album was released shortly after original member Mellow Man Ace left the group to embark on other adventures. I'd say that was a horrible decision, but he could be having a great time right now so I won't make any judgments. Without the huge radio hits featured on some of their future albums, the debut still was a huge success and has gone double platinum as of today. The lead single for this one was "Phunky Feel One", a choice that still baffles me. Thankfully, the damn B-Side of the single was "How I Could Just Kill A Man", a hip hop masterpiece that still holds up great today. That's what ended up getting the group noticed and eventually led to them becoming household names.
Regardless of how you view this album, its impossible to say that Cypress Hill didnt revolutionize the hip hop genre. Although they weren't the first Latino rappers, they were undeniably the first successful ones that were able to develop such a following. Perhaps more importantly, they joined The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy as one of the first groups to fully bridge the gaps between hard rock, heavy metal, and hip hop, of course. The outcome was a sonic blueprint that was often imitated, but never successfully copied. That doesn't mean it sounds any good today, though. A track by track breakdown is most definitely needed.
As you can see, these opening paragraphs are pretty god damn terrible. Sorry, I was rushed
1. Pigs
Cypress Hill skips the bullshit and gets straight to some actual music, which I appreciated. B-Real introduces himself by telling a little sing along children tune about piggies. The twist here is that the pigs are actually cops. The instrumental has a strutting baseline and makes good use of some electric guitar strings. Sounds intense, I know, but the crew still manages to give the song a fairly casual feel to it. Its reserved but I still dug this track quite a bit.
2. How I Could Just Kill A Man
I would say that you've heard this one before, but its recently come to my attention that not everyone listens to as much music as me. Still, I'm sure most of you are familiar. Cypress Hill says fuck it to the tone of the last song and completely bum rushes the listeners with a wave of intensity. The drumline is crazy and the blaring horns make you think that Pete Rock got a hold of the beat. The lyrics are graphic, but the title is fairly misleading. Instead of a bunch of mindless yelling about killing people, we actually hear a lesson of survival tactics in the ghetto. Obviously this shit is awesome.
3. Hand On The Pump
Another one of the groups classic records that is widely know. Well, at least Redman and Methodman are fan. Check out "Da Rockwilder" if you're curious to know what the hell I'm talking about. Along with the awesome hook, this song incorporates the classic "Duke Of Earl" sample, a mandatory component for every hip hop album released in 1991. Yeah you hear it all the time, but you also know damn well that you like it.
4. Hole In The Head
Since we all know that Cypress Hill enjoys their weed, its worth noting that they made most of their songs sound stoned. There's lots of slow and lazy beats, fat bass, weird noises, and distant yelling in the background. B-Real's nasal voice and storytelling certainly make the song feel more atmospheric. I hope that makes a little bit of sense. I picked now to point all that out because this songs boring and I didn't have anything else to say.
5. Ultraviolet Dreams
The first of several skits/interlude that I'm sure sound much better when you're stoned out of your mind. I'm fairly sober right now, though, so I'm not sure what to really do...
6. Light Another
B-Real ended up walking away from this album as the star, but I'd say that DJ Muggs was the most important member of the group. The innovative and experimental aspects are obvious, but Cypress Hill sounds shockingly cohesive. You know, like all the songs were supposed to fit together with one another. Its unfortunate that album cohesiveness takes such a back seat nowadays, as most new albums feel like a poorly put together compilation. This songs only alright, though.
7. The Phunky Feel One
Ok, here's the song that was supposed to make them household names. After hearing the b-side of this single so many times I can't help but feel that this just a little lackluster. Its not bad at all, though. The instrumental probably has one of the most traditional hip hop feels to it. Seriously man, someone give DJ Muggs some god damn credit, I know that he would appreciate it. But yeah, my original assessment of this song doesn't show how good this track actually is.
8. Break It Up
Another short musical interlude. Feel free to let me know why the hell this happens, I have no idea.
9. Real Estate
Another song that was a fan favorite after its release. Thankfully it shares the same characteristics as the rest of these supposed classic singles, in the sense that it holds up really well. B-Real has never really wowed me with his lyrical abilities, but he sure sounds like he's trying here so I applaud him for that. The song gets even better when the beat switches up midway through. I guess I would call this an album highlight.
10. Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk
The last song on here that anyone actually remembers. If I'm correct, it was fairly popular in 1991, but the most notable thing I can think of is the way it uses the same sample as "Vibes & Stuff" by A Tribe Called Quest. The two groups rock their respected beats equally well and I'm satisfied with the song. Speaking of the tribe, Sen Dog gets even less rapping time than Phife Dawg on their debut. Give him a chance guys. Also, props to the man for spelling "Dog" correctly. Whens the last time you've seen that word not spelled like "Dawg". (Lookin' at you Phife)
11. Psycobetabuckdown
So I'm looking through the liner notes to find some interesting facts about the song, or just find something that would spark a pop quality culture reference and I must say that Cypress Hill may have produced the worst liner notes I've seen in my entire life. I mean, we've got one page with the song titles and that's it. C'mon. On the bright side, their inability to be creative during their notes has given me at least a little something to write about. Couldn't feel any more indifferent towards the song, though.
12. Something For The Blunted
I've been real god damn patient with these fucking interludes but they're starting to get on my last nerve. I think this is the last one and I'm praying that I'm correct.
13. Latin Lingo
Just a little something for all the Latino fans of our chosen genre, or for anyone that somehow forgot that two thirds of the group is of Latin decent. Not that I don't completely appreciate his work, but I've always wondered how the hell DJ Muggs found his way into the group. Doesn't matter, though, because he is able to make his instrumental fit the Hispanic feel of the song to perfection. I personally thought that was impressive as hell. This song is good enough to warrant more than a couple repeats.
14. The Funky Cypress Hill Shit
Well, the title is accurate enough for me to not get mad over. Cypress Hill appropriately labels this as some funky shit, which is true on this song at least. They seem to work in some more genres on this one and Muggs displays some excellent sampling work as well. This is the only time they're allowed to say they are funky and shit. You can't just talk about how you could just kill a man and putting holes in people's heads and then act all light hearted and funky. Wow, I really get mad over some of the stupidest shit ever. Gotta work on that.
15. Tres Equis
Well, it clocks in at around 1:55, so it's cutting way too close to being labeled a skit, but I'll let it pass. It really should have been longer, though, as this song is quite interesting. Sen Dog takes it upon himself to work in some good old fashion Spanglish. Throughout the song he goes in and out of Spanish, which I thought was cool. I'm sure it would have been even cooler if I knew what he was talking about, but I guess that's my fault for being an ignorant American.
16.Born To Get Busy
This is another one of those tracks where they throw in an uncredited outro after an actual song. Can't say I'm a particular fan of either part but I think its another one of those cases where you're supposed to be high as shit while listening. I'm sure that would help but that's just not the case. Sorry guys.
Rating: 4/5
Cypress Hill is an excellent debut that deserves most of it's praise. No, it's not an all time classic, but its a great, great album that should be listened to by everyone at least once. A quick glance at the song titles may tell you other wise, but Cypress Hill is one of the most creative and innovative groups of its time. Most of the production is superb, as DJ Muggs admirably builds a bridge between two of the worlds most popular genres. At the end of the day, he ends up being the unsung hero. B-Real's rhymes are almost equally impressive throughout. He may not change up his subject matter at all, but you can't deny that the man can spit. One of my biggest gripes is that you can really tell this album was released when it was. Now usually that would be a good thing but what I'm trying to say is that a lot of the songs don't hold up well at all. Not to say that those songs don't still destroy their current output. If you're looking for reviews on their last couple albums you'll be waiting approximately seven years. You should definitely pick this album up, though. The best songs heavily outweigh the misfires and I personally guarantee you're enjoyment. It's a piece of hip hop history that is essential in everyone's collection. It also will prove to all you're friends that Cypress Hill has songs other than "Insane In The Brain". My work here is done, go enjoy this shit.