Lets set one thing straight before I start this review: I am not into hip-hop. The last hip-hop album I sat all the way through and enjoyed was Eazy E’s Eazy-Duz-It. That being said, I will give this review the fairest of consideration giving my considerably small expertise in this genre.

So back to the review. When I heard that Josh Eppard, the drummer of Coheed and Cambria, had a hip-hop side project I wasn’t really sure what to make of it. I definatly wasn’t expecting the album to sound like this.

Friends And Nervous Breakdowns sounds roughly like Eminem without the Ego. The tracks are laid down extremley well, with solid beats and enough instrumental elements to keep things interesting. Where this album shines is Josh’s rapid-fire delivery. He rhymes with precision and speed at times, and then breaks it down to be a bit slower paced. Lyrically, however, this record can be like a dumpster. Songs range from beating up a pregnant girl to beating up old friends, or as Josh puts them “Frienemies”, to being just an average guy and not a hip-hop super star. Taken with a grain of salt, this album is hilarious.

To sum it all up: If you’re tired of chaotic metal ala southern rock or rock bands championing the indie rock style, and can wade through the stream of obscenities and violent imagery than give Weerd Science a shot.

This very well could be one of the better albums of 2005, atleast till the new Sufjan Stevens comes out.

Label: Equal Vision Records/Super Rap Records
Band URL: http://www.weerdscience.com
Music Link: Conspiracy Theories w/ out Mel Gibson MP3

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