Before I get into the actual review, I would like to say that an indie act who actually records their CD in a garage should get some sort of bonus points. So props to Ghost Fleet for doing it the hard way.

That said, I'm impressed with Conspiracy Theory, the third CD from rap duo Ghost Fleet for a lot of reasons, the least of which involves it being recorded in someone's garage. While I'm discovering I like some rap and hip-hop -- and lemme tell you, this is a major life crisis here -- I'm realizing that what I don't like is the same thing I don't like about pop, country, or any of a number of other genres; ninety percent of it is crap that sounds alike. Thankfully, there's still artists in any genre who take a few chances -- which gets us back to Ghost Fleet. These guys have a quirk or two to their straight-ahead rap sound that makes them a lot of fun to listen to.

First and foremost, it may have been recorded in a garage, but it sure as hell doesn't sound like it. The sound on Conspiracy Theory is slick, crisp, and well-engineered -- the rhymes are clear, the background music and percussion is perfect, and the whole thing comes together in a tight, elegant package. There's no waste on Conspiracy Theory, and there's a lot of tasty rhymes packed into this CD.

I also have to say that Syde Show and Mr J must really like weird sounds, and it means that Conspiracy Theory is a continued roller coaster ride of surprises. From the cartoon BOING!!! on "The Collective" to the retro synthesizer intro on "End Of Dayz [Oldschool]" to the almost-classical background music on "Blind," there's some damn fine -- and damned unusual -- tracks on this CD. I particularly like the contrast of piano and rapping on "Welcome To The Real World," and "The End" is one of the most powerful rap tracks I've ever heard.

Fact is, Ghost Fleet seems passionate -- and pissed off -- about a great deal of things. There's a lot of substance to Conspiracy Theory; the title is, I suspect, not a mistake. There's a lot said on here about control, be it political, social, or media-related, and Ghost Fleet seems determined to point out that the Emperor is not wearing anything and needs a swift kick in the ass. I concur -- and the best part of it is, it's pretty damned fun to listen to.

Rating: A-

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