State of the Art

Hilltop Hoods
State of the Art
Golden Era Records 

Finally, MCs Suffa, Pressure and DJ Debris have decided to take the next exit off the Hard Road and move on to something new and a little more State of the Art. It’s been a long time coming – three years in-fact – for the boys from Adelaide to deliver their long awaited fifth album. And after a change of government, a plethora of new reality TV shows, world-changing events, and the introduction of 2009′s most overused term – the ‘Global Financial Crisis’ – Hilltop Hoods’ State of the Art is finally here. And there’s plenty to go around.

There really is something for everyone here. Songs like Chase that Feeling and Last Confession feature familiar sounds from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra reminiscent of the Hard Road Restrung, helping smash out a hard chorus, while special guests like US artist Pharoahe Monch bring something completely different to the plate in Classic Example.

The Hoods’ usual humour, social and political commenting – as well as slick rhymes and state of the art beats – are all here. To be frank however, some might be disappointed with all this. There’s nothing radically different on this album than any other. It’s simply a refinement of their brand of sound. But if sticking to their roots is what got them here, why change now?

One shiny, compact disc. Twelve solid tracks. And more classic, Aussie hip hop beats than a bobble heading Elvis can deal with. It’s a big album for the Hoods.

State of the Art is out now.