Paris - Sonic Jihad (2003)

I must say; I feel this is probably Paris' finest album. I'd have to give it the full 5 stars after bumping it nearly 15 times in the past couple weeks.

Personally, I don't see much difference between Paris albums. He's always consistent with the rhymes, the flow and the beats. All his albums are at least in the area of 4-4.5 stars (Guerrilla Funk is the only one that gets close to falling below for me). But Sonic Jihad just seems to be a bit tighter in all those areas. Paris' beats are among the elite in the game IMO. And I'm always a fan of how he builds a continuous mix and concept around the themes in his lyrics. Hands down, this is as militant and compelling I've ever heard Paris to be - filled with paranoia and cold hard truth. What more could you ask for?

My rating: 5 stars

Favorite track: Paris "Tear Shit Up" (feat. Dead Prez)

Paris is fucking dope as hell. I love all his albums, including this one. Not to sound like a groupie, but I do. He has arguably my favorite voice in rap.

Justin Linker wrote:

Paris is fucking dope as hell. I love all his albums, including this one. Not to sound like a groupie, but I do. He has arguably my favorite voice in rap.

Yeah man. Even though his albums tend to be along the same sound/feel, his voice/delivery is really one of a kind IMO. Shit's always sounded fresh to me.

What's your favorite Paris album, Link?

Ahh. Question of the day. lol.

Probably Sleeping With The Enemy.....or The Devil Made Me Do It.

The Devil Made Me Do It is a 5 star classic IMO. A verrrry slept on album.

I haven't listened to Sonic in a minute. I think I'll bump it tonight. Right after Talib.

Me either Jack Spade. Haven't played Sonic Jihad in a long while. I'll revisit it soon. My fav Paris album off the top of my head would be between Sleeping With The Enemy and Acid Reflux.

Paris to me is dang near the west coast version of K Rino. He's always consistant in his message and sound, independent since day 1, underrated, and underground. Andf he's been doing it for years.

Fuck me. I forgot about Acid Reflex. smh.

Anyone hear his collab with Public Enemy - Rebirth of a Nation?

Jack of Spades wrote:

Anyone hear his collab with Public Enemy - Rebirth of a Nation?

Hell yeah. It was one of my fav releases from that year. I played it out to the point I don't have the urge to listen to it anymore. Dope cd and a good change of pace for PE. Their production has always been hit or miss for me.

Rebirth of a Nation had the best production since Apocalypse 91, which was handled by the Bomb Squad.

TicNitty706 wrote:

Me either Jack Spade. Haven't played Sonic Jihad in a long while. I'll revisit it soon. My fav Paris album off the top of my head would be between Sleeping With The Enemy and Acid Reflux.

Paris to me is dang near the west coast version of K Rino. He's always consistant in his message and sound, independent since day 1, underrated, and underground. Andf he's been doing it for years.

Acid Reflex was a totally dope album. For some reason I never bought it up back when it dropped, so I scooped that one up a couple weeks ago. Great album as well.

Has anyone heard his album "Unleashed"?

I need to step my Paris game up. I got The Devil Made Me Do It and Rebirth Of A Nation. Anyone want to rate and rank the rest of his discog for me?

T. Myers wrote:

I need to step my Paris game up. I got The Devil Made Me Do It and Rebirth Of A Nation. Anyone want to rate and rank the rest of his discog for me?

The only one I haven't heard is unleashed, but here's my thoughts...

1989: The Devil Made Me Do It (4.5 stars)
1992: Sleeping with the Enemy (4.25 stars)
1994: Guerrilla Funk (3.75-4 stars)
2003: Sonic Jihad (5 stars)
2008: Acid Reflex (4.25 stars)

I'm not quite sure where you should start, but I think I may recommend his two newest albums. Paris has not lost any lyrical skill or hunger on any of his albums. Basically, I feel his production got even better as time went on, which is why I'd recommend the newer ones if you are starting to get into him. I don't think you can really go wrong. I'd just steer clear of Guerrilla Funk, personally. It's solid, but I'd still say it's the weakest link.

Alan wrote:

T. Myers wrote:

I need to step my Paris game up. I got The Devil Made Me Do It and Rebirth Of A Nation. Anyone want to rate and rank the rest of his discog for me?

The only one I haven't heard is unleashed, but here's my thoughts...

1989: The Devil Made Me Do It (4.5 stars)
1992: Sleeping with the Enemy (4.25 stars)
1994: Guerrilla Funk (3.75-4 stars)
2003: Sonic Jihad (5 stars)
2008: Acid Reflex (4.25 stars)

I'm not quite sure where you should start, but I think I may recommend his two newest albums. Paris has not lost any lyrical skill or hunger on any of his albums. Basically, I feel his production got even better as time went on, which is why I'd recommend the newer ones if you are starting to get into him. I don't think you can really go wrong. I'd just steer clear of Guerrilla Funk, personally. It's solid, but I'd still say it's the weakest link.

Thanks for the feedback. I just bought these 4 albums.

Good boy, Terry.

And Unleashed is 4.25/5 for me. Same formula as pretty much any classic Paris material.

Kiss my ass boy. i asked for your opinion earlier and you didn't say a word fool.

When?

earlier in the chatbox.

Today? Err..yesterday?

Nice buys Terry. I'll think you'll find Paris to be essential golden age listening material all the way around.

So, this was the first of the four albums i ordered to actually get here, and i really like it after the first spin. The production is really top notch. It's a little pre-mature to pick a favorite track, but there where a lot of stand out tracks. Spilt Milk seems to stick out the most as of now though. I'm really looking forward to the other 3 now.

Glad to hear you dig it. I've been listening to a ton of Paris lately. I've spun Sleeping with the Enemy a few times in the last day or two.

Yeah, i actually spun it again after my post. I'm liking it quite a bit. I got the other 3 in the mail today so i'll spin them tomorrow.

Just spun Unleashed - 4.75 Stars
Acid Reflex was 5 stars IMO
Sonic= 4.75 stars

I've spun Acid Reflex a few times in the past week. I guess I'll stick with my initial rating of 4.25 stars. The album is quality through and through IMO. I just got more standouts on his other albums...

Jack of Spades wrote:

Anyone hear his collab with Public Enemy - Rebirth of a Nation?

Rebirth of A Nation was the best recent P.E. album, the Paris-produced effort gave back some energy to P.E. and their revolutionary themes. It was a nice mix, and Paris was really respected by P.E., since Chuck D let him write entire songs. Tracks like Raw Shit sound like outtakes from Sleeping With The Enemy, which is undoubtely good, and the mix with aggressive lyrics from Mistachuck was dope.

I've only heard his first two. Looks like I'll be getting this album next.

This is my favorite of his

After listening to all his material a bunch since I posted this thread, I'd have to say this album, Sonic Jihad, is still my favorite Paris album. 100% dope.

Alan wrote:

I must say; I feel this is probably Paris' finest album. I'd have to give it the full 5 stars after bumping it nearly 15 times in the past couple weeks.

Personally, I don't see much difference between Paris albums. He's always consistent with the rhymes, the flow and the beats. All his albums are at least in the area of 4-4.5 stars (Guerrilla Funk is the only one that gets close to falling below for me). But Sonic Jihad just seems to be a bit tighter in all those areas. Paris' beats are among the elite in the game IMO. And I'm always a fan of how he builds a continuous mix and concept around the themes in his lyrics. Hands down, this is as militant and compelling I've ever heard Paris to be - filled with paranoia and cold hard truth. What more could you ask for?

My rating: 5 stars

Favorite track: Paris "Tear Shit Up" (feat. Dead Prez)

Wow you actually gave an album 5 stars!! Well, I gotta check it out !! Did Paris let loose on some turtle asses?

Alan's White guilt gave this album 5 stars

LOL

5 stars in every category for this thumper!