Ceschi: "The One Man Band Broke Up" (album review)

There's little about Ceschi's new album The One Man Band Broke Up that could be described as ordinary.  Strings arrangements and instruments traditionally associated with roots music (ukulele, banjo, accordion, etc) are fused with modern hip hop to create a unique genre-bending excursion.

Far from abandoning the traditional hip hop genre, Ceschi builds solidly upon it and takes it to new, fresh places that it so desperately needs to go.

Solidifying his hip hop credentials are Ceschi's raps.  His delivery of his clever rhymes is laser-sharp, and at times an absolute aural blitz.

What Ceschi really accomplishes on this record is proving once and for all that hip hop needn't be simply bland repetitive beats and ho references.  You'd be best to remember this one when the end-of-year best of 2010 lists start rolling out.

Best tracks: "Hangman", "No New York"

Track listing for The One Man Band Broke Up:

• The One Man Band Broke Up
• Half Mast
• No New York
• Lament for Captain Julius
• Fallen Famous
• Bridge
• Serious Business
• Hangman
• Bad Jokes
• For My Disappointing Hip Hop Heroes
• Long Live the Short Lived
• Swallowed Salt
• Julius' Final Lament

8.5/10

Ceschi's Myspace