Hilltop Hoods are currently at the forefront of the Australian Hip Hop scene, largely thanks to the release of their fourth album, The Calling. It became popular with both general radio listeners, and those in the more underground Hip Hop circles. Now, unlike the more popular American Hip Hop (or un-popular, depending on how you look at it) which is stereotyped as the “Be gangster, smoke weed etc” style, Australian Hip Hop is more laid back. The Calling is a prime example of this, frequently popping out humorous lines, yet retaining the ability to be serious in the very next track.
Incoming is just short, mixed intro track that makes a quick reference to their previous releases.
Testimonial Year flows nicely from the intro, and allows Pressure & Suffer to introduce themselves, whilst discussing their 10 years in the industry, paying respect to their fans and giving a shout out to DJ Debris. The beat is light and piano based, with a bit of Debris scratching etc at the end.
The album received it’s name,
The Calling because of the way Hip Hop drew the trio in. This ‘calling’ being the basis of most of the lyrical content of this song, where they state their dedication to the genre. The vocals on this track come across a little softer than they do on the opening track as well.
Dumb Enough is the first of the comedic pieces on the album. It’s incredibly catchy, as the two rappers use humor to fend off anyone who might try and challenge them for their place at the top of the Australian Hip Hop scene.
Illusionary Lines is a solo track by Pressure, and he does a da
mn good job. It’s also the one of the albums more serious tracks, showing his disdain for the monotony of working 9-5 jobs, and correcting some misconceptions about Hip Hop. The first verse was actually written by Pressure while he was at work.
Tomorrow Will Do lacks lyrical direction a little more than most other songs heard on The Calling. That’s not to say it’s a bad song though. It just has verses that don’t really follow a constant theme. The beat here is pretty upbeat, so it keeps things pretty catchy.
Laying Blame is played out over a pretty basic beat, although the bass is really prominent. Lyrically, it’s a song the shows a lot of the “Shameless Self Promotion” seen in Hip Hop. It’s done well though, and it keeps your attention. Pressure’s flow in the second verse is pretty impressive as well.
Simmy And The Gravyspitter – I love this track. It’s only 55 second filler, with Suffa doing vocals over someone’s beatboxed beat. It’s worth a listen for a couple of the one liners alone.
The Nosebleed Section was the track that got Hilltop most of the attention they’ve gotten today. It was the albums first, and major single, which proved to be a great choice. It’s incredibly catchy, with a whistle in the beat that makes the tune instantly recognizable. That being said, it quickly becomes one of the more annoying Hilltop Hoods songs, so I end up skipping it 1/3 times I listen to the album.
Down For The Cause features two other guys, as well as Hilltop. One being Hyjak, who isn’t bad at all. The other being DJ Bonez, who I assume made the beat. It’s one of the less serious songs, but it Pressure and Suffa both deliver a decent verse each.
Mic Felon is probably the oldest song on the album, being written approximately 2 years before it was released. Again, the verse was written by Pressure, with Suffa constructing the beat. I guess it’s about Pressure cleaning up his vocal style, going from being just a kid who liked to mess about freestyling, to putting a heap of effect in to perfecting his flows.
Walk On is one very political song, referring to the current Australian and US governments, war, the environment and few other things. There’s a number of things said in this song that I really agree with, and even if some of the topics only receive one line, its enough. If you like your rap to have some meaning, this is must hear.
The Certificate is my least favourite song from The Calling. It’s pretty much Hilltop giving friends from a group called Certified Wise a chance to appear on a good album. *skips*
Hilltop Hoods is another filler track, leading nicely into Working The Mic.
Working The Mic shows off a few more political lines, but this time it also has a bit of that arrogance seen in Hip Hop associated with it. The vocal style is a little harder/more aggressive than most of the other tracks on the album as well.
Outgoing – Filler Track
The Sentinel is an impeccable album closer. You know those songs that you listen to, and then when it’s done you have a clear-as-day picture stuck in your head? Well this is one of them. It’s about a night the boys spent at an underground Hip Hop called The Sentinel, where the alcohol begins to take a hold of them, and they end up freestyling the night away. It also happens to be the longest Hilltop Hoods song on the album (excluding The Certificate)
In closing, this is an amazing Hip Hop album, not only by Australian standards, but those set internationally. I recommend this to anyone who’s looking to expand their Hip Hop library.
Recommended listening:
Dumb Enough?
Illusionary Lines
Walk On
The Sentinel
