Friday, March 20, 2009

Hip-Hop Fridays: House Of Pain "Same As It Ever Was" (1994)


After dropping their frat house anthem, 'Jump Around', House Of Pain had been pretty much relegated to one-hit wonder status, where they still remain. As an 11 year-old kid 'Jump Around' was one of the first hip-hop tracks that was popular enough on the radio for me to finally notice the burgeoning genre. Not exactly the best way to be introduced to hip-hop, but, hey, I was living in the suburbs and my only inlet was commercial radio (Rap City, which aired on Much Music, was still a few years away). The song quickly lost it's flavor and I was well on my to discovering acts like Cypress Hill and Ice Cube, both of whom had a lot more respect and, well, better records. A friend of mine eventually picked up a copy of House of Pain's second album, "Same As It Ever Was", and, minutes into hearing the opening track, 'Back From The Dead' (posted below), I clearly had to change my mind about these guys.

First off, Everlast, who pretty much does all the rhyming here (Danny Boy only makes three appearances), altered his voice into a tougher, coarser version, coming off sounding a lot hungrier than on their debut. His new style perfectly matched the bass-heavy and darker production that dominates the album. It appeared as if HoP were looking to shed their cheesy past and they did so exceedingly well on this follow-up.

Admittedly, Everlast can come still come off a little cliche (see his chorus in the otherwise awesome 'On Point'), and he spends most of his time gloating about his superior mic skills, which can get old after a 15 straight tracks. But it's mostly forgivable due to the top notch production, courtesy of DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill, who was unbeatable at this point (Muggs was in between producing Cypress Hill's two phenomenal albums, "Black Sunday" and "Temples Of Boom"). His style is pretty unmistakable here; high-pitch horn squeals and his trademark ultra-low bass are especially impacting alongside Everlast's delivery. However, the best track goes out to 'Word Is Bond', which features production by the almighty Diamond D of the Diggin' In The Crates Crew. Though I missed most of the DITC action when it first dropped, thanks to House Of Pain, these young ears had their first taste of one of rap's all-time greatest crews. Diamond D even takes the time out to drop a verse on the track.

"Same As It Ever Was" managed to go gold in the US, most likely due to the prior success of 'Jump Around', but the album received little airplay and didn't yield any hits, though it did receive high marks from the Village Voice's head critic Robert Christgau. Also, I can't even seem to find any videos on youtube, and, thinking about it now, don't really remember seeing any videos from this album at all (enlightened readers should let me know if this is the case or not). Needless to say, "Same As It Ever Was" has dropped into obscurity and the group still remain a bit of a joke.

'Word Is Bond' produced by and featuring Diamond D


'Back From The Dead'


'Where I'm From'


"On Point" live on Top of the Pops


Download "Same As It Ever Was" here.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

No videos??? What about the videos for On point, Who's the Man and Legend. All from this album.

Mark E. Rich said...

Ok, now we're talking! I never ever saw any of these videos. Much Music completely ignored this album. Still can't seem to find the video for On Point...

Mark E. Rich said...

Actually, Legend isn't even off of Same As It Ever Was. Youtube doesn't have the videos for On Point or Whos the Man. Must be some copyright issues there.

Anonymous said...

i hit this album fucking hard when it came out....sittin in a drive way with a walkman on feeling tough as shit and being 12..good to see it wasn't lost on everyone..cheers -bill

Mark E. Rich said...

Yah, thought I might have been alone on this one. It is definitely an album that makes you feel like the motherfukcin' maaaan, well, at least at that young age. The album still totally holds up though.

ElGuappa said...

Yeeeuh, these guys rock the shit are you kidding me? Cypress Hill Shmypress Hill (though I admit listening them to death until I got tired of their stinky week references...zzzzzzz)...You won't say no if I ask if you own any Conrol Machete right?

Mark E. Rich said...

Have no idea what Control Machete is...please to explaining?

ElGuappa said...

Are you kidding me? CONTROL MACHETE!!!! Great Mexican Hip HOp. Some of the sweetest hiphop ever. Straight outta Monterrey Mexico baby! I'll bring you some at Zulu in the next little while obee-kaybee? Cool. Ciao. E

ElGuappa said...

Oh My God! I spelled 'week' instead of 'weak' which is what I meant...*Blush*...Scene from Tropic Thunder involving a certain Ben Stiller in character comes to mind. Lol.