So Strange Here is so beautiful and gets me in a very reminiscent state, thinking about friends and loved ones that are no longer with us. The lyrics also speak to me because I live by that phrase “Strange beats normal” and Aesop’s line from Garbology “You laughing cuz I’m different, I’m laughing cuz you the same.”
Sandman doesn't out-rap Aes but he brings himself to the table and does his own thing. It's refreshing to have an MC be themselves regardless of the other MC on the track. Aesop is hands down my favorite rapper/lyricist of all time but I can't wait for the Sandman bars on all of these EP's. Like Westside Gunn in Griselda, not the best rapper but let's his personality shine above the rest.
incredible that aes can be at both times the most articulate and skilled rapper, but also the most human and relatable, despite his inaccessibility to general audiences
I think the same holds true for both artists across the whole discography. Period. But yes, I agree. Mainstream wouldn’t recognize real hip hop if it smacked’em.
+FionnTheHuman Sandman's timing isn't all that great. It isn't about speed, but accuracy and style are extremely important. Quite a few times in this ep Sandman is off time entirely, and not in the stylized way he is when he's on point.It just feels awkward. He's close but he doesn't kill it quite like Aesop. Very few do - at any speed.
+fkknsikk I think that says a lot to Sandman's style, it's deliberately off-kilter, almost conversational/spoken word. That being said, it's not for everybody and I struggle with it at times.
Osman Iqbal Kinda reminds me of a less aggressive version of Aes' older, deliberately off-kilter delivery actually, particularly spanning Labor Days to Bazooka Tooth. Definitely rough on the ears at times as a result of the cacophony, but refreshing at times, nonetheless.
This EP is a modern day classic! Even in 2022 going on 2023! I remember hearing this on SoundCloud many years ago. Much respect to Homeboy Sandman and Aesop Rock !
Aes and Sandman go together really well. There's not a lot of artists that can stand with Aes, Rob Sonic and Blueprint are like the only other two that come to mind.
Slug from Atmosphere is pretty damn good with Aes. he has a few tracks with Busdriver as well. Aes, Slug, and DOOM even had a track together called put your quarter up which is pretty good.
Tell me about it. One of my all time favorites. Might sound strange but strange beats normal. Boomerang is another one of the goats that might get missed if you don't get into the uncluded
Best track is "So Strange Here". I'm from America but it's funny that the first time I heard of Homeboy Sandman was in Ipswich, England. I was drunk and yelled "EAST COAST USA" and he said "For life. But we're here representin' Ipswich tonight". I laughed. I was the only American in Ipswich except for him.
Aesop Rock once again making other MC's sound as simple as mother goose. For real....read the lyrics along with any of his songs...GENIUS! Only one who can trade verses with Aes is Rob Sonic thats why Hail Mary Mallon is amazing. This whole Lice project is ridiculously dope but Environmental Studies is my fave track.
HS kills so strange here. Feels like hes there for exposition on some tracks but I think this is a great duo. Wouldnt say homeboy falls behind at all. I give the edge to so strange here but i get why people love that blockhead track.
"I was on stilts trying to build with angels; you were crying over spills at the children's table" - my favorite line from the whole album... probably even of all 3 Lice projects. It's so self-aggrandizing while at the same time so dismissive. Lol. Perfect battle rap-esque punchline.
third song in and sandman and aesop really start to bounce off of eachother. really like three and four. glad to see easop still killing it. his rhymes get smarter and smarter
+Braxton Hawkins 3 and 4 are also my favorite. Honestly I think 5 sounds terrible, its like the person who mixed it just gave up on it. The dog sample just sounds hilarious. I think 3 and 4 are really good though
If this was on streaming platforms then I couldn't listen to this in window on youtube without premium, be happy lice even exists this shit is amazing.
[Hook: Sample] Now it seems to be so strange here (x2) [Verse 1: Homeboy Sandman] My dude I'm in the Czech republic standing on a balcony nude I pass up art for making art that I'll be able to clear I'm told if I don't shave my head then it might hurt my career I've wrote too much to memorize all my lines I'm scared to share my thoughts People get mad at me for changing my mind If now I'm in the game why's it so hard to find a teammate? Everything that's showing is a sequel or a remake And every kid that's on the bus got the same kicks Not only that but got the same dreams and the same wish Shit that used be black and white is getting orange Shit that used to be alluring's getting boring Thought they loved me for my bars and my hooks It turns out they love me cause of where I'm from and how I look I never felt so sane Success and failure never felt so same It feels so strange [Hook: Sample] Now it seems to be so strange here (x2) [Verse 2: Aesop Rock] My dude I woke a million miles away from my original muse The very soil on which he learned to conquer Mario 3 Build a fire, and out-maneuver any mark of the beast I speak an alien argot, New York amass in his tongue The vibe is basically martian, they smell the Jack in his blood I ain't the kind that use New York as a crutch, I use the force of the funk Enjoy the work and earn my portion of mush On a tour of the wild frontier, lying awake I tell myself it's all to broaden my societal take And while I sorta still believe it I'd be lying if I Didn't admit I’d like to curl up on Long Island and die It's not a science, nomads crash land antsy Whether badlands or in back of the Plaid Pantry Stick a flag in, the claim don't fade, find shelter and await old age It feels so strange [Hook: Sample] Now it seems to be so strange here (x2) [Verse 3: Homeboy Sandman] I'm not complaining though I got the contra spray with cupids arrows Hitting shit I wasn't even aiming fo' It's entertainment even shit that people hate me fo' That's what they pay me fo' Yo And honestly My fuck ups turn to gold so much the thought of fuckin up don't even bother me So I keep it auto when i'm stepping through a portal I know that sounds strange but, strange beats normal [Verse 4: Aesop Rock] I'm not complaining though That's the way the daisy grow We hide away and try to make The best of what's available My older homies think I'm kinda sorta schizo I feel the same of y’all, but don't consider it a issue We can openly embrace it or be trained to mostly tiptoe Where shame becomes a staple in the nature of the crypto That's a baseball through your window, a roach up in your shawarma I know it sounds strange but, strange beats normal [Outro: Sample] Now it seems to be so strange here (x8)
paranoia voyeur awake in a haunted crawl space hoodie up, gaunt face down, taught draw strings Aes' rhyming is getting even better. How many rhymes are in those two lines? 7?
I don't think aesop has ever been this straight foward. Not even in The Uncluded and he said himself he was able to be more blunt instead of metaphorical because of Kimya. This shit is gnarly. EDIT: HOMEBOY just grew on me. haha.
Great stuff! Aesop just keeps growing! Homeboy Sandman, first time i heard him rapping and it was pretty cool, like his metric, its quite his own. Great team!
Dude So Strange Here and Get a Dog are my favorite tracks on this EP. One so deep in embracing your difference (in their case the rap industry), the other so hard into chewing up those cookie cutter rappers, or anyone who steps up shaking. Aes and HBSM don't disappoint ^_^
![AESOP WAITS - Tom Shall Pass (Aesop Rock vs Tom Waits) [full album]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/b7greV2-73Q/mqdefault.jpg)
"I step in the arena bumpin' step in the arena"
God I love that line
gangstarr
This never gets old
never bro. greeting from russia vladivostok
So Strange Here is so beautiful and gets me in a very reminiscent state, thinking about friends and loved ones that are no longer with us. The lyrics also speak to me because I live by that phrase “Strange beats normal” and Aesop’s line from Garbology “You laughing cuz I’m different, I’m laughing cuz you the same.”
The last line was from the song "flamingo pink" for anyone who didn't want to do guess work to find it
Sandman doesn't out-rap Aes but he brings himself to the table and does his own thing. It's refreshing to have an MC be themselves regardless of the other MC on the track. Aesop is hands down my favorite rapper/lyricist of all time but I can't wait for the Sandman bars on all of these EP's. Like Westside Gunn in Griselda, not the best rapper but let's his personality shine above the rest.
"Katz that better not fart when their girl is the big spoon" lmao
Kats had better not graduate into what they hate most.
Masterpiece.
incredible that aes can be at both times the most articulate and skilled rapper, but also the most human and relatable, despite his inaccessibility to general audiences
Yeah, that is weird.
1. Vertigo 0:00
2. Katz 2:24
3. Environmental Studies 5:20
4. So Strange Here 8:56
5. Get A Dog 13:28
+Technosapien 36 Not on mobile.
You're a real one
Thank you sir
You the man.
Katz is a seriously underrated track.
so true!
I think the same holds true for both artists across the whole discography. Period. But yes, I agree. Mainstream wouldn’t recognize real hip hop if it smacked’em.
@@MilestheMechanic "Critics like to pretend they miss when rap was "rapping", mfer if that was true Killer Mike would be platinum."
Where are these ratings? ;)
Definitely my favorite from this EP
I think homeboy sandman was great on this album. although I love aes, it's nice to see someone who can counteract aes's fast and precise flow.
+MrGreyWolfAlpha you mean to say sandman was shit and slow, cause i agree
+Fem Ka rap isn't about being fast, I think you need to widen your horizons
+FionnTheHuman Sandman's timing isn't all that great. It isn't about speed, but accuracy and style are extremely important. Quite a few times in this ep Sandman is off time entirely, and not in the stylized way he is when he's on point.It just feels awkward. He's close but he doesn't kill it quite like Aesop. Very few do - at any speed.
+fkknsikk I think that says a lot to Sandman's style, it's deliberately off-kilter, almost conversational/spoken word. That being said, it's not for everybody and I struggle with it at times.
Osman Iqbal Kinda reminds me of a less aggressive version of Aes' older, deliberately off-kilter delivery actually, particularly spanning Labor Days to Bazooka Tooth. Definitely rough on the ears at times as a result of the cacophony, but refreshing at times, nonetheless.
Environmental Studies is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
So is 'Get A Dog'
My thoughts exactly. I've already said as such. Though, I'd apply that to the whole thing.
all of them are
Ay, preach it brother
Blockhead and these two need to do a album.
Can we all be happy that two dope artist dropped a couple collabs worth of over a couple years?
The Lice series is primo!
More than 2?
@@onradioactivewaves three
This EP is a modern day classic! Even in 2022 going on 2023! I remember hearing this on SoundCloud many years ago. Much respect to Homeboy Sandman and Aesop Rock !
Aes and Sandman go together really well. There's not a lot of artists that can stand with Aes, Rob Sonic and Blueprint are like the only other two that come to mind.
Slug from Atmosphere is pretty damn good with Aes. he has a few tracks with Busdriver as well. Aes, Slug, and DOOM even had a track together called put your quarter up which is pretty good.
don't forget illogic
Meoau ASMR Eyedea always came correct
Don't forget Kimya Dawson!
Meoau ASMR Dude you're forgetting Slug and Busdriver.
So Strange Here is possibly one of the best songs I have EVER heatd
I'd have to say Get A Dog is the best track on this album. "Get a strong, like a, like a Rottweiler or a Boxer dog
Not a Pomeranian dog"
Reminds me of Twin Peaks
100% agreed
Tell me about it. One of my all time favorites. Might sound strange but strange beats normal. Boomerang is another one of the goats that might get missed if you don't get into the uncluded
@@colomboisdead153
My T-shirt isn't pink, it's salmon
Best track is "So Strange Here".
I'm from America but it's funny that the first time I heard of Homeboy Sandman was in Ipswich, England.
I was drunk and yelled "EAST COAST USA" and he said "For life. But we're here representin' Ipswich tonight".
I laughed. I was the only American in Ipswich except for him.
I live near ipswich damn
bruce wayne
That Suffolk county life.
7/12/20 - whole new meaning in 2020. Wtf.
I live in the Brook of nh
Aesop Rock once again making other MC's sound as simple as mother goose. For real....read the lyrics along with any of his songs...GENIUS! Only one who can trade verses with Aes is Rob Sonic thats why Hail Mary Mallon is amazing.
This whole Lice project is ridiculously dope but Environmental Studies is my fave track.
+Brandon Shaw Nah, not illogic. Check out Killing Time
HS kills so strange here. Feels like hes there for exposition on some tracks but I think this is a great duo. Wouldnt say homeboy falls behind at all. I give the edge to so strange here but i get why people love that blockhead track.
so stoked, have been waiting for these two to collaborate. two of the most original styles have just collided as one.
Profile photo on point
My thoughts exactly!
:D happy happy joy joy
I share these exact sentiments.
Parker Cochennet absolutely perfect lyrical chemistry.
what more can I say? TOP RAMEN
IM A SPIRITUAL LYRICAL INDIVIDUAL!
Bryan Dugger what more can I say? We top billing it.
Viciously file victory, valiant without villainy.
Jazzy Goddess I'm an actual factual pterodactyl
This may be even better than when this first initially was released. Getting finer with age.
"I was on stilts trying to build with angels; you were crying over spills at the children's table" - my favorite line from the whole album... probably even of all 3 Lice projects. It's so self-aggrandizing while at the same time so dismissive. Lol. Perfect battle rap-esque punchline.
"There, there."
Aes talks shit on another level...
OMG "hey stranger would you like to be my friend, figure that youll like me, though youll likely be my end." woooooooooooooooooo
Aesop always killin it.
I need the instrumental of environnemental studies. Incredible beat
Here's calling for an instrumental release. Get a Dog begs for a scratch session
Blockhead does some of the best beats
Yes! This is an amazing cut. I'd say the same thing about "Katz". But this is amazing. Such creativity on each cut.
Good ol' Blockhead.
all these lice projects are so good
third song in and sandman and aesop really start to bounce off of eachother. really like three and four. glad to see easop still killing it. his rhymes get smarter and smarter
+Braxton Hawkins Yeah three and four are my favorite too. The production in 4 is amazing.
four truly is amazing.
+Braxton Hawkins 3 and 4 are also my favorite. Honestly I think 5 sounds terrible, its like the person who mixed it just gave up on it. The dog sample just sounds hilarious. I think 3 and 4 are really good though
"Katz a better not smoke in the igloo. Katz have better not cart when their girlies the big spoon" y'all hearin what I'm hearin?
silent night
"Environmental Studies" is probably the best song out of all music ever. Should get that award. Really Powerful.
I agree
Blockhead's beats/instrumentals were made for aesops flow, and vice versa
The Best Song Out Of Music grammy award goes to...
Blockhead should've produced more than one of these, that third track was the usual precision aes wrecks.
This not a Billy Woods album so he not producing the whole thing lol
+Lower Echelon absolutely agree
Aes and block are like one brain when together. It just sounds natural with them together.
I'm from the future. The last Aesop x Blockhead record was dope as shit.
That Linkin Park mix is pretty damn nice.
That moment you wake up to a new album by one of your favorite artist, "So Strange Here" is my fav song on this.
3rd track is ultra fire!
9:45 - "Shit that used to be black and white is gettin' orange" ...if he only knew how relevant that line would be now.
"Find shelter and await old age, it feels so strange."
I sometimes wonder if the future me finds food
Find future me wishing younger me would hide food
@@IThinkIStoleYourSandwich real world problems.. I feel you
@@poughkeepsieblue lol well technically we both feel Aes
@@IThinkIStoleYourSandwich straight up
Homeboy Sandman got that MF Doom flow. You never know what he is going to say next.
Underground legend! He performed and toured around the world 🌎 ...Still slept on
I don't care, this duo is classic. That's all I have to say.
Aesop Rock best fucking MC ever.
facts!
Yes, imo, he certainly is.
Tied for the number 1 spot with MF DOOM for me.
Get a dog is crazy underrated in both discographies
This duo is my favourite
Get A Dog is 🔥🔥🔥
That linkin park sample🔥
+Mason Pagnotta REALLY THO. ONE STEP CLOSER FTW. It's too fucking good.
My t-shirt isn't pink it's salmon
My t-shirt isn't pink it's salmon
Am I the only one who is really diggin "so strange here"? I mean I enjoy most the tracks but I feel like Homeboy and Aes meshed real well on #3 & #4.
That Charles Hamilton joint is NUTS!
9:26 as a dude who started going bald in highschool and full on male pattern by 30, I feel ya Homeboy
Dude not only rhymes orange but makes it flow
This is solid as fuck. Love all the Lice shit, Homeboy San is insanely good.
man, this was a classic the day it was released!
MORE PLEASE, these two have been in my top 5 for a few years now.... this is awesome!!!
This bangs! Can't wait for the new Aes album!
Blockhead did such a great job in Environmental Studies here, hat off
*dies of happiness*
Did u really!+?😢
@@hospitalhopping joemama
This EP has been on repeat all day since it dropped.
So fucking good.
Aesop Rock on a Charles Hamilton beat is so dope
This is magnificent. Track 4 is legendary and mad uplifting. Greatness
Of course the producer of [imo] the greatest track on here is also the producer of Aes' latest album. FINALLY A FULL BLOCKHEAD X AES PROJECT.
If this was on streaming platforms then I couldn't listen to this in window on youtube without premium, be happy lice even exists this shit is amazing.
I've taken a 'shining' to this new aesop album.. sorry coudn't resist.
But seriously 'shits killer!
yapple dapple
Years of listening, how did I miss Aes referencing the stank leg steez before now? The gift that keeps giving. LICE!
Emerson Lake and Palmer on the beat for Katz!! Hell yeah
[Hook: Sample]
Now it seems to be so strange here (x2)
[Verse 1: Homeboy Sandman]
My dude
I'm in the Czech republic standing on a balcony nude
I pass up art for making art that I'll be able to clear
I'm told if I don't shave my head then it might hurt my career
I've wrote too much to memorize all my lines
I'm scared to share my thoughts
People get mad at me for changing my mind
If now I'm in the game why's it so hard to find a teammate?
Everything that's showing is a sequel or a remake
And every kid that's on the bus got the same kicks
Not only that but got the same dreams and the same wish
Shit that used be black and white is getting orange
Shit that used to be alluring's getting boring
Thought they loved me for my bars and my hooks
It turns out they love me cause of where I'm from and how I look
I never felt so sane
Success and failure never felt so same
It feels so strange
[Hook: Sample]
Now it seems to be so strange here (x2)
[Verse 2: Aesop Rock]
My dude
I woke a million miles away from my original muse
The very soil on which he learned to conquer Mario 3
Build a fire, and out-maneuver any mark of the beast
I speak an alien argot, New York amass in his tongue
The vibe is basically martian, they smell the Jack in his blood
I ain't the kind that use New York as a crutch, I use the force of the funk
Enjoy the work and earn my portion of mush
On a tour of the wild frontier, lying awake
I tell myself it's all to broaden my societal take
And while I sorta still believe it I'd be lying if I
Didn't admit I’d like to curl up on Long Island and die
It's not a science, nomads crash land antsy
Whether badlands or in back of the Plaid Pantry
Stick a flag in, the claim don't fade, find shelter and await old age
It feels so strange
[Hook: Sample]
Now it seems to be so strange here (x2)
[Verse 3: Homeboy Sandman]
I'm not complaining though
I got the contra spray with cupids arrows
Hitting shit I wasn't even aiming fo'
It's entertainment even shit that people hate me fo'
That's what they pay me fo'
Yo
And honestly
My fuck ups turn to gold so much the thought of fuckin up don't even bother me
So I keep it auto when i'm stepping through a portal
I know that sounds strange but, strange beats normal
[Verse 4: Aesop Rock]
I'm not complaining though
That's the way the daisy grow
We hide away and try to make
The best of what's available
My older homies think I'm kinda sorta schizo
I feel the same of y’all, but don't consider it a issue
We can openly embrace it or be trained to mostly tiptoe
Where shame becomes a staple in the nature of the crypto
That's a baseball through your window, a roach up in your shawarma
I know it sounds strange but, strange beats normal
[Outro: Sample]
Now it seems to be so strange here (x8)
paranoia voyeur awake in a haunted crawl space
hoodie up, gaunt face down, taught draw strings
Aes' rhyming is getting even better. How many rhymes are in those two lines? 7?
STONES THROW X RHYMESAYERS is a deadly combination.
+They're All Trolls cogent insight
"Katz better not fart while your girl is the big spoon" haaaa
I think he said front but that would be great! Haha
just got the vinyl of this album, can’t stop listening to it!
i cant wait for the tour this year...so much talent at one show
This is my first time listening to this. I had to stop for a minute after Katz to say that this is so, SO GOOD!
Lifesavers
I don't think aesop has ever been this straight foward. Not even in The Uncluded and he said himself he was able to be more blunt instead of metaphorical because of Kimya. This shit is gnarly.
EDIT: HOMEBOY just grew on me. haha.
Bingo!
I've never heard someone sample Linkin Park. Dope
Great stuff! Aesop just keeps growing! Homeboy Sandman, first time i heard him rapping and it was pretty cool, like his metric, its quite his own.
Great team!
I had a shitty day. Then I come home to this. Now my day is better. Anything Aes does I love and Sandman kills it.
Thanks Rhymesayers
thats whats up, two of my top fav flows combined on one album!~
These joints have me fiending for more.
The is dope!
"I eat myself alive to see myself eating/not to see myself fed" - HSM
Yeah, I'm gonna be sitting with this one for a while..
Best Hip-Hop release of 2015.
All though I still believe it id be lyin if I- didn’t admit I’d like to curl up on Long Island and die.
Love that line…
This is raw
Dude So Strange Here and Get a Dog are my favorite tracks on this EP. One so deep in embracing your difference (in their case the rap industry), the other so hard into chewing up those cookie cutter rappers, or anyone who steps up shaking. Aes and HBSM don't disappoint ^_^
Fire! Savage! Get rekt! Or whatever is cool to say these days. Love this tape
🔥🔥 would suffice.
+transformersloverjon Also a dog would suffice
"I step in the arena bumping 'Step in the Arena'/ clean way fairs, no grey hairs, it's a patina"
Best Aesop I've heard in years.
This is FIRE
its already great and I just started it! AES! free, high quality hip hop. YES!
Hell yea!!
Homeboy Sandman sounds like Quasimoto and Guru combined.
GreyWolf I’m not even that familiar with much rap, but I also thought of Quasimoto immediately
That is a crazy good connection.
'Get A Dog' is fucking sick!!
cool to see how much sandman and aes' styles contrast but still work perfectly
These lice got me scratchin and hoppin
Once I heard "BREAK" I knew it really was a Linkin Park sample. I love it!!!
we really need more Aesop/Blockhead tracks
I've got some great news for you if you haven't heard yet lol
Katz is by far my favorite.
The best thing I've heard all year.
Dope.
9:20 Yet again, Czech Republic, heard it from so many artists. Love that you love it here :)!
Kats Better know... I bumped that track and went Crazy!!!!!
Very nice, guyz. VERY NICE!!!
+10 for Charles Hamilton collab.
Incredible. Thank You.
What a surprise. It's dope as fuck.
we need more of these 2 teaming up
RAW