Flobots - Fight With Tools

Music sometimes can be very odd. Or more specifically, I should say it doesn't fit into any prefabbed genres, making it almost a miscellaneous type thing. Most critics would say the Flobots are straight up hip hop or rap - but I disagree. I've listened to this a couple times since follower peterman dropped it in the Suggestion Box. And while at first, I would have listened to just the flow and thought - sure, this could be rap. But then I keep going, and get deeper into the music, and it's so much more than that. There are a ton of more rock based arrangements on tracks and then they use an array of instruments that would be too out there for a rapper. This is a six team group from Denver, Colorado. They've been making music since 2000 or so. They dropped this album initially in 2007, to great local success in the Colorado general area. But then something started to blow, and they decided to re-release the album again in 2008. They started doing more major shows, played all the late night shows - they were starting to hit it. The charts also didn't know where to put these guys, as they charted on rock charts, alt charts and rap charts. Very strange for one record to have that happen. I have a friend in Denver, and I wonder if they put on more shows in that area. I'd probably check these guys out live someday, as they have that sort of feel to them. Overall, I like this because it's rap with trumpets, viola's and other crazy instruments you wouldn't normally hear with good flow. Lyrically it's a little weak, and obviously lacks the standard rap beats. It's a cool listen though, and well worth checking out.

TRACK LISTING:
1. There's a War Going On For Your Mind
2. Mayday!!!
3. Same Thing
4. Stand Up
5. Fight With Tools
6. Handlebars
7. Never Had It
8. Combat
9. Rhythm Method, The (Move!)
10. Anne Braden
11. We Are Winning
12. Rise

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Rise
2. War In Your Mind
3. Handlebar

FINAL RATING:
2.5 out of 5 stars