Originally released on Halloween, 2005, this album is an EP by Lo Key originally released as a free download. It was released on disc two years later, in a slim case. The next year, 2008, the album was re-released in a jewel case with alternate art, but with the same cover. Then in 2009, it was definitely re-released on LOKE Records with an entirely different cover and remastered music.
This EP was pretty big back in its day, and garnered Lo Key much more attention than it was probably expected to. This is likely the reason for Lo Key's continuation of The House as a series. To this day, it remains a classic entry in the underground game, and there's even a little saying to go with the legacy: Every time you mention "The House", a suburban teenage girl starts bumping the EP on laptop speakers in her basement.
I kid, I kid.
Graphics:
Throughout the years, the graphics for this CD have changed. There are three prints of this album right now, but I'm unsure what the graphics look like for all of them since I only own the most recent print. With that said, the graphics I'm going to be speaking on are from the most recent print.
The cover, currently, isn't pretty. It looks like something out of some Frankenstein-inspired movie, which isn't very inviting. The entire front cover is a face, one that looks like it once belonged to a human, but is now the decrepit remains of a skull. Except, almost robotic. As if instead of an actual skull, it is the rusted, dilapidated remains of perhaps...an android skull? It's weird - you have to see it to understand, and you will, below.
On the back, got your track listed, not very exciting. There's a Lo Key seal on the back, and I'm assuming by the texture that the background is supposed to be the backside of the skull. The cover piece is a slip, and there's an ad for Infectshop on the back of it. Printed on the CD is the skull from the cover, and there's nothing in the CD rest.
Content:
This is for sure one of the worst CDs that I bothered to pay money for. On paper, the concept of this album is actually very cool - when you look at the tracklist and see the methodical way the tracks are arranged, you can't help but think about the flurry of creativity that must be brewing on the CD. Except, this CD isn't very creative at all. But before you get to throwing eggs, let me walk you through this five-track EP.
I think the prospect of this EP is the reason a lot of people were attracted to it, but besides the creative facade, there really isn't much to it. The EP draws you in with a promising glimmer of artistry, but this EP is twenty minutes of the same shit over and over. It opens with some people going to a haunted house, and then the next four tracks are about how he's gonna murder you. But staring at the tracklist, you might think that Lo Key was going to find a creative way to rap about a house: The Attic, The Basement, The Kitchen...this is sadly not the case.
The only thing that changes about this album is the setting, and the only thing that changes about the setting is the way that Lo Key raps about murdering you. It's seriously two-dimensional, and while Lo Key is a skilled rapper, the stale-ass theme is what truly makes this EP mediocre. I can't even understand how it maintained such a good vibe in the underground world, because the only thing that makes this EP special is the premise, and that gets old really fast. It isn't even like the production can make up for it, because that's surprisingly unremarkable too. A poorly executed great idea would be a good way to think of it.
Let me tell you ninjas: this CD is 12.99, and you're better off putting your money somewhere else - anywhere else, than wasting your time on this CD. If you're a collector, grab it if you feel you need it. But I would definitely not recommend this CD to the average listener. For 12.99 and only five (stale) tracks, there's no reason to waste your time here. Since it was originally a free release, I don't really think there's anything wrong with listening to the tracks on the internet if you're seriously wondering what the CD sounds like, but I assure you that it isn't that great. Seriously ninja, don't even bother.
JRH gives "The House" by Lo Key a: 1.8/5
(Loud, unhindered snoring)
Weak points:
- Uncreative, stale-ass themes that don't change in the slightest
- Twenty minutes of "Hey man, I'mma murda yo ass, in da basement, in da attic", so on and so forth
- There are a lot of great things you can do with 12.99, but buying this CD is not one of them
- Another EP that is so tragically short, you can't help but feel ripped off
Strong points:
- On paper, this EP actually had the potential to be so much better than it turned out, but Lo Key's execution of it is tragically lackluster
Don't waste your time, homies. Think of the children, ninja.
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| Original cover |
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| Contemporary version with new cover art |
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