Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives
| Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by Aesop Rock | ||||
| Released | February 22, 2005 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 30:41 | |||
| Label | Definitive Jux | |||
| Producer | Blockhead, Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic | |||
| Aesop Rock chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 69/100[1] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Robert Christgau |  [3] |
| Pitchfork Media | 7.9/10[4] |
Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives is an EP by American hip hop artist Aesop Rock. Released via the Definitive Jux label on February 22, 2005, the record is produced by Blockhead and Aesop Rock himself, who each contribute three tracks, and by Rob Sonic, who provides the remaining one. Vocals are handled by Aesop Rock, with guest appearances from Camu Tao and Metro of S.A. Smash and Definitive Jux label head El-P. All scratches are performed by DJ Big Wiz.
Release
The initial pressing of the EP on CD (catalogue number DJX106) was packaged as a slimline CD case inside a cardboard cover along with an 88-page booklet named The Living Human Curiosity Sideshow, which contained the EP's lyrics as well as the never-before published lyrics to Aesop's other in-print records, Float, Labor Days, Daylight, and Bazooka Tooth, and new photographs and artwork.
The record's art as a whole, in keeping with the title of the lyric book, is designed around the theme of an early 20th-century freak show: "The Most Peculiar Creatures in All The Land", proclaims the back cover, while a triptych of blackly humorous portraits on the inner CD case depict Bruce The Giant Baby ("7 years old & 600(+) pounds"), Three Legged Louis ("3 shoes, 6 laces, 15 toes") and Ms. Sally Small ("the world's tiniest woman").
The subsequent pressing of the EP (catalogue number DJX117) omitted the lyric booklet but included a bonus track, "Facemelter".
Track listing
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fast Cars" | Blockhead | 4:34 |
| 2. | "Number Nine" | Blockhead | 4:05 |
| 3. | "Zodiaccupuncture" | Aesop Rock | 4:21 |
| 4. | "Holy Smokes" | Blockhead | 3:51 |
| 5. | "Winners Take All" | Rob Sonic | 4:45 |
| 6. | "Rickety Rackety" (featuring Camu Tao and El-P) | Aesop Rock | 4:30 |
| 7. | "Food, Clothes, Medicine" | Aesop Rock | 4:35 |
| 8. | "Facemelter" (DJX117 only bonus track) | Aesop Rock | 5:05 |
Charts
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[5] | 190 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[6] | 21 |
| US Top Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[7] | 9 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[8] | 100 |
References
- ↑ "Fast Cars, Danger, Fire And Knives (EP) - Aesop Rock". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
- ↑ Bush, John. "Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives - Aesop Rock". AllMusic. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ↑ Christgau, Robert. "Aesop Rock". Robert Christgau. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ↑ Macia, Peter (February 22, 2005). "Aesop Rock: Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives EP". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
- ↑ "Aesop Rock – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Aesop Rock. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Aesop Rock – Chart history" Billboard Independent Albums for Aesop Rock. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Aesop Rock – Chart history" Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums for Aesop Rock. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Aesop Rock – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Aesop Rock. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
External links
- Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives at Discogs (list of releases)