By The Throat - Eyedea & Abilities (2009)

Lyrically, Eyedea wrestles with some deep and personal demons. Musically, Abilities uses live instruments to craft cohesive songs that would work for any number of ambitious rock bands. They were a pretty amazing duo, and Minneapolis label Rhyme Sayers gave them space to shine, even in the crowded scene of Twin Cities hip hop in the aughts.

Sadly, Eyedea didn’t survive an overdose in 2010 and this exciting thread got cut tragically short.

I really love this album every time I hear it, even if it makes me sad.

Tracks I Liked

Spin Cycle - pop-punk attack

Burn Fetish - a nasty battle with self-loathing and a cause for hope

Forgive Me For My Synapses - a lighting-speed onslaught

This Story - crazy instrumentation and a fantastic track