"She said when you start getting all expressive and symbolic it's impossible to actualize an honest diagnostic. I said when you start getting all exact and algebraic I'm reminded it's a racket and not a rehabilitation" Bars for fucking days.
it's impressive how i like rap but i also read classics, this song is perfect, his literary skills are impressive seeing as i haven't seen anyone else rap so coherently and have such a poetic structure.
Patient name: thats personal Birth Date: a while back Are you in a physicians care: Dr Izzo Are you taking any medications: Probiotics and Hot wings Are you on a special diet: Probiotics and Dumplings Are you pregnant: 7 weeks with a new beat Do you have pains anywhere: My hair doesnt hurt Do you have allergies: Large crowds and internet posturing
@@izloc7131 - I would say its something to do with putting out a persona to make yourself look better than you might be. I guess some people might call it 'virtue signaling' or simply 'hey, look at my brand new shoes, I make loads of money unlike you' while they're just scraping by.
It's not as complex as it seems, especially if you've seen more than one therapist. Verse one is struggling through the onboarding paperwork while simultaneously trying to wrap your head around what it is that you want to talk about, verse two is sitting in the waiting room, preparing yourself for the encounter and knowing that you're going to be expected to open your veins and bleed your insecurities, verse three is battling with your ego to break down your walls as you try to address your anxieties with someone who doesn't know anything about you and is trying to help you using standardized, formulaic processes that begin to feel condescending after they become so familiar. It's hard not to approach it with the cynicism Aes so acutely describes, but you always wind up going back, despite the standoffishness and discomfort because of the pressure, both internal and external, just to make it work. "Will you be needing another appointment?" "Absolutely, I'm shrunk". Side note, shrunk is a superb play on words, because of the obvious connotation of the word "shrink" to describe a psychiatrist (as derived from the Amzonian Jivaro tribe, who would literally shrink the severed heads of their enemies) but also because of the denotation of becoming small, as in trying to compress your baggage into a one hour session with a complete stranger who practically demands the kind of intimacy you might have trouble feeling with your own family.
As far as aesop rock goes this is one of his easier to understand songs, even people who have trouble understanding him can process this song with little effort. I swear you could create college level classes based on the break down and possible meanings of some songs but this song is a total break from his normal complexity.
Currently seeing a "shrink" for reasons I won't go on about here. I really feel this, thanks for putting into words what I probably couldn't by myself.
shrunk or shrink refers more to shrinking of our thought, fears and anxieties. Deflating of the ‘self’ or ego. I don’t know about all the shrunkin native head nonsense..
Aes is somehow able to encompass relatability, mystery, wit, humor, brutal honesty, lyrical mastery, and self-deprecation all in the span of three minutes and thirty two seconds in a densely wrapped lyrical gift box. For real, mad props to the absolute G.O.A.T.
yeah, on every single song since 97 too... and they are all different, and they all make you feel the same way, especially if you've went through or experienced one of them. You are spot on Cali!
@@aburritosnake7526 Come on bruh don't make this a fight, not only could MF DOOM NEVER rhyme this densely, but MF DOOM's discography has a vocab count of 6,169 unique words while Aesop Rock's is at 7,879.... MF DOOM is definitely #2 as he is MILES ahead of any mainstream rapper, but mathematically speaking Aesop Rock is at least 1 mile ahead of MF DOOM
Not really. My guess it was written over a period of several appointments; first the primary visit, where he fills out the standard paperwork in an unusual manner. I see it as him in the office, making a mundane task more self enjoyable by pulling his identity from various, but fitting, often sarcastic, references, viz, a combination of his immediate surroundings and thoughts. Almost like Verbal Kint and his barber shop quartet in Skokie Illinois, Aesop’s “bullentin board” is the generic waiting room reading material found in healthcare facilities across America. waiting meshed with his own sarcasm and wit. Second verse is still in the waiting room, but , personally feel it’s a separate visit.This time, no paperwork to occupy and amuse himself, boredom gives way to some anxiety, anticipation, eventually triggering a “pull urself” together and accept the evisceration response . Them last verse is the only dialogue between him and his healthcare professional. He absolutely murdered it. Honestly, for me, this album was an epiphany, I’ve been rocking Aesop for close to twenty years, but it was actually the first time I read his lyrics. His vocabulary is amazing and most likely, at some point, most everyone will need a dictionary, But it’s his the but the true genius of ry “get it.” His vernacular hato references to esoteric proper nouns across a spectrum of niche type areas is and but not to approcryptic abstraction how to had trouble had wawhole album was I have been rocking Aesop to Aeso dialogue
@@thomaspaine9284 The quarter metaphor is definitely valid (as is your analysis tbh). Arcade games are generally very hard and require a certain level of commitment if you wish to get anywhere with them. There is pretty much no chance of you reaching the end in a single session, you will inevitably have to keep coming back and pouring more and more money into them if you want a realistic chance of doing so. With all this in mind the parallels with psychotherapy are pretty obvious. Once you have invested a certain amount of time and money into familiarising yourself with a game you will find it more and more difficult to keep yourself away from it as you feel that you are close to that end goal, similar to how people can become emotionally dependent on psychotherapy. Even when you think that you have finally reached that end point you may find that the machine might still try to give you reasons to keep coming back, be it being put back on the first level at a higher difficulty or simply trying to beat a high score, given that it is primarily a business rather than a service. It's actually really clever when you think about it.
I always wondered what the video would look like for this song. And the symbology of using the arcade as a therapist's office is amazing. Designed to throw your money at them in order to get better or level up against all odds.
its actually amazing symbolism: You can never truly win some games (think tretris) theoretically its impossible to master or perfect. So to with the human condition and yourself. Yet the brilliance of this analogy is you do need to put in effort and money to succeed in therapy. you are the larger half of the equation of success. Its fun but still elegant.
Travis Brown Symbology is the study of Symbolism. Makes perfect sense to me. If some playwright can make up a couple hundred words on the spot, a legitimate author can make up one.
PATIENT NAME - Thats personal BIRTH DATE - A while back ARE YOU IN A PHYSICIANS CARE? - Dr Izzo ARE YOU TAKING ANY MEDICATIONS? - Probiotics and hot wings ARE YOU ON A SPECIAL DIET? - probiotics and dumplings ARE YOU PREGNANT? - 7 weeks with a new beat DO YOU HAVE ANY PAINS ANYWHERE? - My hair doesn't hurt. DO YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES? - Large crowds and internet posturing. Aes is fucking cool, man.
Just a reminder Aesop schedules a follow up. He's pessimistic about meeting with therapist, but obviously he goes back. Plus they recommend he get Kirby.
And what's honestly understated is how the doctor doesn't get dazzled by his verbosity. She sees through him and cuts him down to size (hence the title).
I might sound like a complete fan-boy here - I’m both a fan and student of music in general.. I listen to MANY different genres. But when it comes to hip hop, I dont think there’s been a more dense and complex wordsmith than Aesop Rock - EVER. I’m not just talking about making words rhyme - but the complexity of his metaphors, the way he structures his ideas and words, vocabulary usage, I’ve never heard anyone tell stories the way he does. He doesn’t seem to care if it makes sense to you, either. He says it the way he sees it - many can’t decipher it on first listen. Too complex. Too deep. That’s why I respect him so much. IMO, probably the best to ever touch a mic. Period.
I know this comment is old, and that you're probably not going to see this, but I just wanted to give my thought on why a lot of people can't get the meaning of what he's trying to say. I don't think it's because it's too complex or deep, I think it's because he doesn't give context for the things he's talking about. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Aesop, and I'm not trying to say this is a bad thing, just that it might be the reason other people can't pull meaning from it.
100% the most complex and dense, definitely one of if not the most intelligent lyricists, but I'm not sure about greatest ever. I think he's too niche to call him that. Dope as fuck nonetheless
She said, "You're being difficult." I said, "I'm being guarded; you're a quarter mil in debt I get more guidance from my barber Look, I'm not good at this, I grew up in a noogie-fest You built your walls up high Or say goodbye to all your Cookie Puss Here's one: every time my telephone buzzes I see images of hooded riders setting fire to hundreds." She said, "When you start getting all expressive and symbolic It's impossible to actualize an honest diagnostic." I said, "When you start getting all exact and algebraic I'm reminded it's a racket, not a rehabilitation."
Agree to disagree as grown-ups from opposing clans Honoring the push and pull I should have called the Scholomance Oh well. Preservation is a doozy Will you be needing another appointment?" "Absolutely" I'm shrunk
She said, "When you start getting all expressive and symbollic, its impossible to actualize an honest diagnostic" I said "When you start getting all exact and algebraic, I'm reminded it's a racket not a rehabilitation" JINKIES, ZOINKS, & WOWZERS!
It took me at least four or five viewings of this video to get the message it's supposed to be conveying about therapy; that you put more and more money in and just hope you reach the next level much like an arcade game. Fucking hell, even Aesop's videos are deep.
The very first lyric on this song is definitely in contention for my favorite lyric of all time. "My first name is a random set of numbers and letters and other alphanumerics that changes hourly forever. My last name a thousand vowels fading down a sinkhole to a susurrus, couldn't just be John Doe or Bingo." That shit gets me every fucking time. Insanely remarkable how he writes this stuff.
when a rapper can flow something vicious for 3 and a half minutes and it's so complex you can't comprehend anything he's trying to say, but you know it's on another level. I love it lmfao
1st verse: Aes is filling out an application in a physciatrist's office, 2nd verse: In a waiting room describing what he sees, 3rd verse: Conversation with the physciatrist that only lands him another appointment Also a shrienk is another word for a female physciatrist, and he's shrunk by being there. It's insane how he told this story with paranoid and deranged thoughts (the reason he's there in the first place lol)
This line kinda goes over the top of many people (i had to look up the lyrics) but can we talk about how genius "You built your walls up high or said goodbye to all your Cooky-Puss" is? It just shows how small childhood interactions, like the fight for snacks have lasting effects on your behavior throughout your live as a middlechild myself, i feel that, if you arent on your guard, your belongings (mostly food) are taken away from you
couldn't imagine a better video for this track. this is definitely one of my favorite songs from the album and this video is the perfect companion. as a gamer I appreciate the shit out of this
This song is such a great description of how the psychology/cognitive therapy game works for most people. Easily my fav album because it's about struggles that people generally have to face alone. I still listen to it a few times per month.
I first started listening to him in 02' before Bazooka Tooth dropped. Fond memories of getting stoned on my lunch breaks at Wal-Mart bumping Labor Days and Float in my 93' Nissan Maxima. 02' was also the year I discovered Sage Francis (btw Nonprophets 'Hope' is my favorite hip-hop CD of all time), Atmosphere, Eyedea & Abilities, Murs, Adeem, Musab, Copywrite, Grayskul, and Micranots.
I can't count how many times I've watched, listed to, and shared this brilliant musical rant... I adore it. Here's to celebrating something that's always been Deep Love. 💕
"she said when you start getting expressive and symbolic it becomes impossible to actualize an honest diagnostic. I said when you start getting all exact and algebraic I'm reminded its a racket not rehabilitation." I'm psych major as I'm sure Aesop (having been in and around college-level thinkers/resources) knows psychoanalysis is fading fast, the methods and measures (psychometrics) arguably have been dead since behaviorism, which itself has been dead since Chomsky's paper. But besides that as someone who also likes to write similarly to him, this is so fucking sick. One the best rappers ever. Not even just by vocabulary size but creativity and fluidity. Never mind the twisting, layered, and reflexive content. I wonder how he developed his style
not only is the song good, it's 100% accurate down to the kids fighting with whoever's watching them buried in their phone half the time and the sessions feeling like a street fighter squash match.
Jesus Christ. Ive watched this video dozens of times before but never realized how well it conveys the health care system we have to fuck with. Fucking love this song even more.
Bro! And he mentioned Arcadia which is Washington and Oregon wanting its own independence. I know he wrote impossible kid here in the Pacific northwest. Really stunk you took the time to be out here Aesop. You're mine and my little late brother Jacob's favorites. Thanks man much love
That first verse was ridiculous, he's simply filling out a form...and he made a fucken renaissance painting out of it. The second verse, he's in the waiting room, figuring out how much its going to cost him and observing the other people in the room. The third verse, he's finally speaking to the therapist... If Aesop was born 100 years ago and he would be Bach or Wolfgang.
Clearer sound is so delusional. They recorded with digital equipment and stamped it on a master, there's no way it has more clarity - it's either equal or more likely: much worse. It's just cool, that's the only sensible argument I can see.
Jared Thomson I assume you've never listened to a vinyl album in person before. It blows my mind to think that you think that a vinyl recording, the purest form of an album, is equal or lower quality than a CD through a car CD player or a song through a phone/computer speaker or even regular headphones. Just try that out, and maybe you'll see what I mean. If the quality is still somehow bad to you, then you need a new fucccccking record player my dude. Nothing else that I can say there. Happy experimenting
To save anyone else constantly pausing on that form: Patient Name: That's Personal Birth Date: A While Back Are You In A Physician's Care? Dr. Izzio Are You Taking Any Medications? Probiotics and Hot Wings Are You On A Special Diet? Probiotics and Dumplings Are You Pregnant? 7 weeks with a new beat Do You Have Pains Anywhere? My hair doesn't hurt Do you have any allergies? Large crowds and internet posturing
