Hieroglyphics

Over Time

(Hieroglyphics Imperium)

Record Review by Janelle Finamore

“Rap’s like a drug rush feel it in your membrane”. This is how I felt after listening and dancing to the still-fresh beats of Hieroglyphics’ “Over Time,” a collection of remixes, old songs, and b-sides. Most of the album has an old skool hip hop feel, although you can also hear the more recent DMX and Tupac influences in some of the songs.  In Track 6 , they even go for a more hardcore rap sound similar to an Eminem/Dr. Dre or G-unit hit.  “Battle of the Shadow” is the deepest and most emotional song of the album.  It opens with a piano track and jazz instrumentation, and considers themes of hypocrisy and good versus evil (“You got people sayin’ they God but they actin’ Satanic”).

The final track “Cyberpunks” is interesting, too - it starts out with a little speech about how it is the year 2387 and Mars is known as “Earth 2” because of its similarity to the Earth. Strange, yet unique and captivating.

Over Time is not considered party hip-hop nor is it hardcore rap; rather it is a blend between the two. Hieroglyphics like to discuss deeper issues unlike party hip-hop tunes of Ciara or Nelly but they still retain the catchy beats that make it danceable and fun.