MF Doom the busiest person in hip-hop right now, there's no doubt about that. This year the KMD member formerly known as Zev Love X has dropped the incredible VaudevilleVillain featuring his evil comic book character Viktor Vaughn, another three installments of his excellent Special Herbs instrumental series, a bootleg of his upcoming Madvillain album with Madlib, contributions for the Monsta Island Czars release, and Take Me To Your Leader on which Doom plays the part of a three headed space lizard named Geedorah. He's also finished his next full length disc, entitled MM Food, which is set for release in spring of next year. Though the Chinese Zodiac contends 2003 is the Year of the Ram, believe me when I tell you this is, in fact, the year of Doom.

Track List and Ratings

1. Fazers (****)
2. Fastlane feat. Biolante (****)
3. Krazy World feat. Gigan (****)
4. The Final Hour (***)
5. Monster Zero
6. Next Levels feat. Lil' SCI, ID 4 Winds & Stahhr (*****)
7. No Snakes Alive feat. Jet-Jaguar & Rodan (*****)
8. Anti-Matter feat. Mr Fantastik (****)
9. Take Me To Your Leader
10. Lockjaw feat. Trunks (***)
11. I Wonder feat. Hassan Chop (****)
12. One Smart N*gger
13. The Fine Print (*****)

Now we all know MF Doom is known for his creative and original concepts. What does Take Me To Your Leader have in store for the avid hip-hop fan? MF Doom explains the album as King Geedorah's alien perspective on humans. "This is done intentionally to show the listener a mirror image of his/herself and the way we see each other. On the album we cover different subjects ranging from race issues to the neglect of children," the man himself describes. The album is a unique blend of talented emcees who rhyme over excellent, jazzy beats -- all being produced by Doom himself.

Interestingly enough, the guests appear on the album more than the album's creator. Now, I will admit that MF Doom certainly isn't the most easily accessible hip-hop artist out there, for some he's an acquired listen, so the fact that he has limited time on the mic won't bother many listeners, but for those who take some time to listen will easily realize that Doom is a great emcee utilizing a very smooth and versatile flow (he changes it up depending on the character he's playing), witty punchlines and imaginative wordplay. It's very disappointing he rhymes so seldomly on Take Me To Your Leader, but the plethora of virtually unknown underground emcees that are featured perform admirably so it's somewhat forgivable.

MF Doom has always been a classy lyricist, and he wastes no time with an intro. The orchestrated Fazers, which is composed of a methodical bassline and symphonic strings, very fitting for the colorful non-sequiturs and similes that Doom always brings to the tracks he rhymes on. You'll notice right away that Doom doesn't stick to one topic that often, and usually bounces from subject to subject, but he does it in such a unique way that it all flows together very well and is damn entertaining. From complaining about how many rappers are simply annoying these days, to throwing in references to artists like Phil Collins, movies such as Sling Blade, and television shows like Star Trek, his wordplay is top-notch and definitely a reason every hip-hop fan should check out anything Doom is involved with.

Throughout the whole album, we are treated to MF Doom's masterful production. Simple, yet effective. Addictive, and original -- all ways of describing Doom's production. His beats are mostly loop based, and range from full-blown jazz pieces, production that is mysterious and futuristic, to old-school funk inspired musical soundscapes. Krazy World which pits Gigan on the mic, who delivers a reminiscent lookback at his drug dealing days and his old lifestyle, is a perfect example of the excellent production. Non-existent bass and soft drums allow the epic violins to cement the track's cinematic atmosphere.

Gigan isn't the greatest emcee in terms of technical ability, nor does he have the strongest mic presence, but he does spit rhymes that flow extremely well and are very listenable with his unique higher-pitched delivery. With that said, the production is the highlight of the track. The second of three MF Doom-only tracks is The Final Hour, which is incredibly short. Once again the lyrics are strong and the far out production is very suitable, but at a paltry 49 seconds it's more of an interlude than a full track.

There are three instrumental tracks on the album, but they are chalk full are vocal samples taken from various old movies, and have actual purposes. Monster Zero chronicles the story of King Geedorah coming to Earth and backing the humans into retreat. The interlude which will push the most buttons is easily One Smart N*gger. The samples all relate to white oppression and looks into how those in power have been stealing black culture. Very cool stuff, and it's something only MF Doom could pull off with such great results.

Album highlights include one of the year's best tracks, Next Levels. The production is very smooth, combining a mellow saxophone with gentle piano keys for the album's jazziest moment. Lil' SCI, ID 4 Winds & Stahhr's rhymes are complex and thoughtful, and all three emcees deliver pure knowledge. Their excellent vocabulary and intelligent rhymes aim to educate rather than brag about materialistic possessions or anything remotely similar: "Disaster's cataclysmic, mystic natural/ It's about time we hit you with some substance that's actual/ I got a gift called hip-hop prophecy/ Since 2003 ends the reign of the jiggy emcee/ No more roaming on this planet like scavengers/ Scientists broke the code of the Gregorian calender/ Defining laws of space and time/ Trying trace my lines, hold up respect the architect."

Following in similar fashion, No Snakes Alive features MF Doom, Jet-Jaguar & Rodan. The beat is more experimental than anything else on the album, with lots of random distortions and 50's samples -- it starts off slow, then speeds up (three times, for each verse) and the emcees' flows wonderfully match this track's setup. The track's disjointed feel will not appeal to everyone, but that's the beauty of it, Doom has the guts to produce something that's different that anything on the market today, but not as wild and weird as some of the Def Jux stuff being made these days.

Trunks gives us a freestyle over a spooky beat that just screams out 70's sci-fi monster flick on Lockjaw, spitting with some of the most imaginative punchlines and similes I've heard in ages... however while it's disheartening because it's very short, I'm very eager to hear more from this up and coming emcee (in fact, that could be said about all of the guests on the album). The album's most emotional track is I Wonder with Hassan Chop. He contemplates about his past and reflects on losing his brother, and to his credit his lyrics aren't melodramatic or cliched. He isn't extremely technical or complex, but more than competent on the mic and the melancholic production fit his vocals like a glove. The album finishes off with MF Doom alone on the mic. Fine Print includes beatboxing and rousing horns, and is just ripped apart by Doom's witty rhetoric.

If you buy one underground album this year other than MF Doom's excellent Vaudeville Villian (which is a must-buy), make sure it's Take Me To Your Leader. If you think hip-hop is stagnant and isn't creative anymore, you're sorely wrong or have been looking in the wrong places. Everything hip-hop is about is present here, it's a solid album and surely will please anyone looking for a quality release. One quote from MF Doom himself comes to mind when summing up this review: "Here ye, here ye, how dare ye/ Go up against a king who do his thing tri-yearly."

You can't argue with that.

4 Stars

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep