Review by Josh Felty
Rating: ****
Cypress Hill's first studio release in six years, Rise Up is a tour de force return to the same Latino hip-hop family who brought us the classics "Insane in the Brain" and "How I Could Just Kill a Man" some years ago. The astounding thing about this new record is how much new beat and sample technology the boys have embraced, including some eclectic collaborations with everyone from Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave fame, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, and Daron Malakian of System of a Down just to name a few.
This means not only is there a more rock sort of feel, but veins of jazz and funk mingled all about. And as always, many a weed-smoking reference in songs like "K.U.S.H.", "Pass the Dutch" (an amazing track in its own right), and "Light it Up." So if you're into that sort of thing, put Rise Up on, roll one up, and cradle a bag of Funyuns.
As with any hip-hop record, there are the illustrative intros complete with various news and media spots, even a skit or two thrown in there. It's plain to hear Cypress Hill hasn't lost their touch in their long lifespan. The biting West Coast sense of humor's still there, complete with shout-outs to Dr. Dre and all those still playing the rap game. That classic vinyl scratch sound is still there, evoking images of throngs waving their arms and bobbing their heads at a South Gate, California streetjam.
The collaboration with Shinoda, "Carry Me Away", is a six-string driven ballad of sorts, recounting the street life while referencing some of Hill's previous work. Shinoda's harmonious chorus strings everything together, amongst church choir music and record scratch. The rock collaborations in "Trouble Seeker" and "Rise Up" (featuring Malakian and Morello respectively, the latter who also appears on the Rage-filled "Shut 'Em Down") are well-rounded and fitting for the explosive energy stirred up with this new addition to Cypress Hill's already impressive collection of venomous, genre-bending music.
Note: Be sure to keep an ear open for our two favorite low ridin' stoners from way back...some great moments in there, people!