Definitive Jux
2007
Sweep The Leg
About This Album
A three-man group in which no one is a weak link, Hangar 18 presents another solid display of both lyricism and musicianship on their second full-length, Sweep the Leg. Released on Definitive Jux, the album is charged with dark, grimey, percussive beats -- courtesy of paWL -- that recall both the urban grittiness of much of the label's other records (in particular El-P's, especially with tracks like "Room to Breathe" and "Watchyoself") or even M.I.A. ("Really Wide," for instance), sparse percussion and synths taking a heavy upper hand. Yet, thanks to the inclusion of warmer, brighter guitar and keyboards, parts of Sweep the Leg are also reminiscent of Rhymesayer's productions; equally aggressive and driving, but with a less desolate tone -- "Feet to Feet" even sounds like it could belong on something by Brother Ali (as if to drive this point in further, the album's only guest is Atmosphere's Slug, who unfortunately and rather surprisingly adds a pretty weak verse to an otherwise decent "Dance with Me"). Hangar 18's two MCs, Alaska and Windnbreeze, both have good, clean flows, and even though they don't move much from the quick triplet delivery they're most comfortable with, their verses never end up sounding monotonous or predictable.
Track List (try tracks 2,5,6,8,9 and 10)

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