Adelaide Culture

Album Review: Hilltop Hoods - The Hard Road: Restrung

No Hip Hop act from Australia, past or present, has made an indelible mark the likes of which these Adelaide-based veterans have. So it is only fitting that they be the first artists of their kind to recompose an entire album with the aid of a full set of live instruments, in this case the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

From the slightly touched up album cover to the rearranged tracklisting, it may appear to be a timely release to cash in on the current wave of Hilltop Hoods fever. If you look beyond that, though, and actually listen to the album before judging it, you will be pleasantly surprised with what you find.

Just listen to the album's original, slightly underwhelming, lead singles Crown Prince and What A Great Night and you will find a new appreciation for the tracks. You will hear new details and elements of the song you didn't initially pick up, as the experience is enhanced by the use of the rich bed of backing instrumentation.

The compelling storytelling of Stopping All Stations is taken to a new level as the lyrics are drenched in a sea of lush strings and flutes. The same goes for the tense sounds of Monsters Ball. The ultimate masterstroke, however, still has to be Recapturing The Vibe, which is even more undeniable in this form.

While for the most part it is a blemish free affair (what is this pro-active?!), there are times when you get lost in the sheer power and musicality of the instruments and overlook the vocals. It also sounds as if the original vocal takes are re-used.

Obviously it would take quite a bit of time and effort to re-record the vocals and they may lose their original meaning and purpose the second time around, but it would make a difference.

However, those small criticisms aside it is one of the classiest Hip Hop releases to come from Australia, or possibly any other country for that matter, in quite some time. A must have!