The community of beat poets on this Mush Records compilation combine a few new ideas with the familiar coffee house pentameter we're all used to. At an open-mic night, you can at least watch them sweat; on record, it's like you're there on a date. You can't leave, and you can't say anything.

But that's only part of the Mush Records story; a few tracks here also offer run-of-the-mill sampling and turntablism. Though it comes off like "world" trip-hop without much in the way of invention, when compared to the pale imitations of Boogie Down Productions strewn about this disc, they're a welcome relief.

As far as the beat poetry, Aesop Rock are probably the best thing going here-- they've got a great producer in Blockhead, who put together an oasis of samples for them to rhyme over. He's obviously into the cinematic style we've heard from DJ Shadow and his ilk, and it's comparatively basic. The drum machine, coupled with the non-stop rhymes, creates the usual rap veneer. And unlike the rest of this record, Aesop Rock's lyrics are solid.

One of these songs falls dangerously close to racism (or ageism, as they're ostensibly talking about their elders): "We have come to understand that the Black Man is God. You find fault in our music and our fashion and we question why you still eat pork and complain of health issues in your old age. You claim we have no leaders in our generation." I'm sorry, but this doesn't speak for or to anyone who'll lead a generation. It's way too close to ignorance for a genre that generally purports to speak the unspoken truth.

Pase Larock composes what's far and away the best track on this disc, a darker, jazzier (and less lyrical) piece called "Rain Dance," featuring Fat Jon and Jericho. It doesn't have much in the way of diverse content, but it's the smoothest, least preachy piece on this otherwise immature collection of open-mic poetry reading. I don't know if this is your type of thing-- maybe it is. But is there still anyone out that that likes their poetry peppered with "beats?" Uh, I didn't think so.

-Chris Ott