Artist: (Hed) Pe Album: Broke

Year: 2000
Duration: 49:48

Going Broke: A of (Hed) Pe's Fourth Studio Album

If you've never heard of (Hed) Pe before, the band's name might give you some idea of what you're in for. This Californian band has been blending punk, metal, and hip-hop into their own unique sound since the early 90s. Their fourth studio album, Broke, is widely considered their breakthrough record, and it's not hard to see why. In this post, I'll give you a brief history of (Hed) Pe, discuss the music genre of Broke, dissect the best songs of the album, highlight the most innovative parts, and ultimately offer a of Broke as a whole.
To understand (Hed) Pe, you have to start with their frontman, Jared Gomes, aka M.C.U.D. Gomes was born in Jamaica and raised in Orange County, CA. From an early age, he was influenced by a diversity of music, including reggae, punk, and hip-hop. Gomes was also interested in spirituality and conspiracies, themes that would become prominent in (Hed) Pe's lyrics. The band was originally formed in 1994 by Gomes and bassist Mark Young, and they quickly attracted a following in the underground scene. By the time Broke was released in 2000, (Hed) Pe had already put out three albums and were known for their raucous live shows.
As for the music on Broke, (Hed) Pe continued to refine and push their genre-bending style. The album is a chaotic, frenetic mix of aggressive riffs, funky rhythms, and M.C.U.D.'s rapping and singing. It's no surprise that the album has been labeled as rapcore or nu-metal, but neither of those labels quite captures the sprawling vision of (Hed) Pe. Songs on the album deal with everything from political corruption (Killing Time) to drug addiction (Bartender) to the end of the world (Swan Dive). It's a heady mix of anger, humor, and social commentary.
So, which songs on Broke are the best? For my money, the album's peak moments come when (Hed) Pe slows things down. Bartender is a haunting, acoustic ballad that takes an honest look at addiction. Crazy Legs is another slower song that showcases M.C.U.D.'s emotive singing. Of the more aggressive tracks, Killing Time and Waiting to Die are standouts. The former has an infectious chorus that will stick in your head, while the latter is a blistering thrash-metal track.
In terms of innovation, (Hed) Pe's use of samples and sound effects on Broke is worth noting. The album opens with a spoken-word sample from George Orwell's 1984, and throughout the record, there are snippets of news broadcasts, movie quotes, and other sounds that add to the album's overall atmosphere. Meanwhile, M.C.U.D.'s vocal delivery is always dynamic, switching between rapping, screaming, and singing as the songs demand. Musically, the band also experiments with different time signatures and rhythms, creating an off-kilter feel that keeps the listener on their toes.
Now, for the critique of Broke as a whole. While the album has plenty of high points, it can also feel scatter-shot at times. The band's genre-hopping can be impressive, but it can also make the album feel unfocused. Additionally, some of the lyrics can come off as juvenile or preachy. In particular, the anti-government screed Killing Time feels dated in its anger. Finally, while (Hed) Pe's commitment to incorporating different sounds and influences is admirable, it also means that some of the songs haven't aged as well as others. The rap-rock craze of the late 90s and early 00s is a relic of its time, and it's hard to shake that feeling while listening to Broke in 2021.
Despite its flaws, Broke is a worthy addition to (Hed) Pe's discography. The album showcases the band at its most creative and confrontational, and there are enough catchy, well-crafted songs to make it a fun listen. Whether you're a fan of nu-metal or just curious about a band that's always done things their own way, give Broke a spin. It's a snapshot of a moment in music history that's worth revisiting.
Despite its flaws, Broke is a worthy addition to (Hed) Pe's discography. The album showcases the band at its most creative and confrontational, and there are enough catchy, well-crafted songs to make it a fun listen. Whether you're a fan of nu-metal or just curious about a band that's always done things their own way, give Broke a spin. It's a snapshot of a moment in music history that's worth revisiting.