CANNIBAL OX The Cold Vein 2xLP

2001 Def Jux (DJX07-1) two records are in NM condition. The back cover has some sticker damage but is otherwise VG+…While it can be said that many underground crews have been floundering in the gray matter of indie hip-hop, Cannibal Ox filled that area in with 2001's The Cold Vein for El P's Def Jux imprint. The music press had been quick to point out that Vast Aire and Vordul Megilah's attack is at times highly derivative of the Wu Tang Clan, and the point is valid. Thankfully, El P (a serious candidate for producer of the year) lays out some of the most lushly intriguing sounds and beats that feel as herky-jerky as they sound gilded with silk. It's a bit misleading to harp on the Wu factor that The Cold Vein contains since this record's content is immensely original and the Wu references that seem present are in the enlightened gloomy flow and psychedelic backdrops -- not, (with all due respect) in the kitschy hooks and unfocused rhymes that Wu Tang are also known for. Aire and Megilah swirl around in b-boy posturing and obtuse nonsense as their innovation rears its head at every corner with scatter-shot lines like: "And I ain't dealin' with no minimum wage/I'd rather construct rhymes on a minimum page," and "You were a still-born baby, your mother didn't want you but you were still-born." While there's not a throwaway track per se, the album's length does run a bit long (at least they didn't make it into a double CD as a lot of rap acts have been known to do). To their immense credit, Cannibal Ox and El P have assembled one of the most listenable hip-hop albums in far too long. Headz be aware: Independent hip-hop has a new voice and this is your beat fix for 2001…        1                Iron Galaxy          Arrington, Gardner, Melin     5:56

                  2                Ox Out the Cage                   3:28

                  3       Atom                   5:52

Composed by:    

Performed by:     Cannibal Ox, Alaska, Cryptic Atoms,

                  4                A B-Boy's Alpha           4:27

Composed by:    

                  5                Raspberry Fields          4:01

Composed by:    

                  6                Straight off the D.I.C.            4:17

Composed by:    

                  7                Vein           4:27

Composed by:    

                  8                The F-Word                  5:27

Composed by:    

                  9                Stress Rap           5:31

Composed by:    

                  10              Battle for Asgard                   4:26

Composed by:    

Performed by:     Cannibal Ox, Life, Rayz Walz Of Stronghold,

                  11              Real Earth            3:57

Composed by:    

                  12              Ridiculoid Arrington, Gardner, Meline    4:46

Composed by:     Arrington, Gardner, Meline

Performed by:     Cannibal Ox, El-P

                  13              Painkillers           5:58

14                            Pigeon….

Due within 10 days of auction end unless other arrangements have been made prior to bidding.

Shipping & packaging:

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7" records and CD’s: $3.50 - .50 each additional.

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International:

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PACKAGING: I pack and mail items with care, I ship all LP’s in a new rigid custom LP mailer and filler pads with the disc, in the inner sleeve, placed behind cover to prevent seam splitting. I DO NOT use flimsy "freebie" post office priority mailers!

GRADING

(M) Mint : Absolutely perfect in every way - certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed below). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.

(NM or M-) Near Mint : A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A 45-rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cutout holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Basically, Near Mint looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink-wrap.

(VG+) Very Good Plus: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.

(VG) Very Good : Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise is evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during the song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Writing may mar labels, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.

(G) Good, (G+) Good Plus: Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear. A jacket or sleeve has seem splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it.

(P) Poor , (F) Fair: The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and/or writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, and written upon. Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.