A few weeks ago I knew almost nothing about House of Pain. What I did know was Everlast, now a trashy blues singer, and DJ Lethal, who embarassingly ended up with Limp Bizkit, were members, and that wasn't encouraging. I figured they were ranked barely above Vanilla Ice in the realm of pre-Eminem white rappers. Then one day my roommate was playing a song I really liked, which never happens. It had that early 90s sound I love and the beat seemed to be the work of DJ Muggs, one of my favorite producers. I was surprised to learn it was House of Pain's "Jump Around," and I immediately did my research and then ordered this album.What I got was a decent CD, not bad, not great. Everlast isn't a terrible rapper but he's not that good, either. He's got a very simple flow characteristic of the time period. The lyrics are all tough posturing, drinking, and Irish pride; I don't think there's a single track with any real lyrical content. This isn't surprising or expected. B-Real and Son Doobie, the other lead Soul Assassins rappers, also put style over content. But of these three, Everlast is the least impressive. But nobody is buying this album because they heard Everlast is the greatest rapper. The production is handled by DJ Muggs, DJ Lethal, and some small contribution by Ralph Tha Funky Mixican. Most of these are Muggs' more average beats, but his average is still quality. Lethal comes off as a Muggs imitator, but a surprisingly good one. House of Pain's debut certainly doesn't save the best for last. "Jump Around," probably the reason you're reading this, is the first (minus the intro) and best song on here. The bouncy groove is classic Muggs, and Everlast is at his best. The second song, "Put Your Head Out" with B-Real, is in my opinion barely below "Jump Around," another classic Muggs joint, though this time with a much darker and more brooding groove. Everything that comes afterwards pales in comparison to these two songs, which is disappointing. But then, it would have been really hard to bring that level of quality for a whole album. Of the other tracks, some are better than others but there's no real standouts. The beats are mostly simple basslines with acoustic drumsets and short guitar or horn loops set over them. The Muggs' grooves are slightly more complex than the Lethal ones. The two tracks with the Mixican on them have slightly different styles, one with slow, laid-back guitars and the other with some more East-coast-sounding horns. There are two remixes at the end. The first is Pete Rock's "Jump Around" remix which isn't bad but isn't as good as the original. The second, the metal remix of Shamrocks and Shenanigans, is terrible. Why do white hip-hoppers have to do this? It doesn't sound good and is damages their hip-hop credibility.So this is mostly an average album, although average for the early 90s is a lot better than average in 2007. I don't expect to play this album a lot, but I don't mind having it in my collection.I don't know why House of Pain doesn't get more attention for being white. We hear about the embarassment of Vanilla Ice and then skip right to Eminem, but on this album House of Pain hold it down. I'm impressed that instead of taking a wanna-be black route, they flaunt their Irish heritage every chance they get. They don't avoid their whiteness but they also don't come of as corny outsiders, probably because of their involvement with Soul Assassins. Their current careers may be questionable, but back then we had some decent white hip-hoppers.Some people my call these Irish White Guys a one hit wonders, because of the song "Jump Around". Believe it or not, that was the very first rap song I heard (maybe it was LL's "Momma Said Knock You Out", anyway...), and I remember my mom constantly telling me to stop jumping on my bed, when ever that song was playing. For some reason I think that song came out a while before this album came out, I'm not exactly sure.House Of Pain consists of Everlast (you might know him as "Whitey Ford"), Danny Boy O'Connor, and DJ Leathal, and they took this music real serious back in 1992. The album was produced by DJ Muggs (of Cypress Hill) and DJ Leathal. They had many good songs here to prove that their lead single was not the only good song on here. "Top Of The Morning To Ya" would be one of the standouts here on this album. "House And The Rising Son" is another good song that has a nice beat and featured Son Doobiest. A good favorite of mine would be "Shamrocks And Shenanigans (Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom)", becasue it has a catchy hook. I think that was their second single. If it wasn't, it should have been.There are some wack moments on here though. First, thier rhymes are not on point most of the time. A lot of songs on here, Everlast makes refrences to puffing blunts. Also there a few bad songs on here towards the end, like "Put On Your Sh** Kickers", and "Feel It" is another forgettable one. There are two remixes on here. "Jump Around" would be remixed by Pete Rock, but I like the origonal better if you ask me. "Shamrocks And Shenanigans" would be remixed by Butch Vig, and have a rock sound that I really wasn't feeling at all.Overall, this is a dope CD. This group would make two more albums, "Same As It Ever Was" (1994) and "Truth Crushed To Earth Shall Rise Again" (1996), then split up. DJ Leathal would join the group Limp Bizkit. Everlast (who I just found out he had an album back in 1990) would do some experimental contry/rap music and make a few albums, and be dissed by Eminem later on. I really haven't heard much from Danny Boy. But this is the album that put these Irish guys on the map, and accepted by rap and hip hop listeners. I still drive around bumping "Jump Around" like it was the newest song that just came out. This proves that there were some white rappers who had respect for the craft for hip hop and rap music (unlike some of the ones floating around today), and I recommend that you give this a listen. This trio had fine malt lyrics on this CD, but there are some on this CD that might leave your mouth dry. Lyrics: B-Production: B+Guest Appearances: BMusical Vibes: B-Overall: BFavorite Tracks: Jump Around, Top Of The Morning To Ya, House And The Rising Son, Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom!), Guess Whos Back, Life Goes OnHonorable Mention Tracks: Danny Boy, All My LovePeace Everyone!!!Although this is not the first work by "Whitey Ford", it is the first mainstream public exposure to his style in "Jump". If you listen to the album with an open mind, you will find it to be a fair example of somewhat jazz fueled beatnik music...mixed with hip hop krunky chunky beats and grooves. I would have given this cd more than 3 stars, but the under-production hinders it somewhat...lending a raw quality that I would trade for better sound...plus "EVERLASTS'" cds get better with each attempt. Check out "Whitey Ford Plays The Blues.NOTE: I don't know why my screen name is "The Bookie"...what the hey!!some of the tracks on this album are iffy, but some are good if you wanna have a few brews and enjoy some rap with your irish heritage in mind. it also puts you in a mindset back in the day to the early 90's, which if you remember was a very fresh time to be chillin.The trio, Everlast, Danny Boy and DJ Leathal, steered away from the norm to give us a damn near classic. Before Eminmem came out white boys were not regarded as serious, besides this group of Irish fellas. Catchy hooks, phrases and simple rhymes did it for the frontman and emcee Everlast. There is a lot of drinking, partying and good lyrics without the shoot 'em up, bang, bang. What kept this from being a classic is some of the samples and solid production to back the fine malt lyrics. Considering this is a 1992 release, it doesn't collect dust in my collection. We all know that the song Jump Around is a C-L-A-S-S-I-C!, Put Your Head Out featuring B-Real is a tight Irish Bangin' classic featuring mi homie B-Real, Shamrocks & Shenangans is a tight Boom Shalock Lock Boom joint, Jump Around (Pete Rock Remix) is a decent remix with a east coast feelin', now Everlast sure has changed from an Irish rapper to an um? white trash bum star? The only good solo by Everlast was "What Its Like", also unlike Eminem, Paul Wall, Bubbah Sparx & the Beastie Boys, House Of Pain are not like those other white rappers that are whack!House Of Pain go Shamrocks & Shenangans on joints 1, *2, *3(featuring B-Real), 4, 6, *7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, *18 & 19.
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