''Saul Williams'' is the second solo studio album by Saul Williams. It was released by

Fader Label Fader Label is an independent record label based in New York City that has released albums by Slayyyter, Clairo, Matt and Kim, Yuna, Neon Indian, and more. It was founded in 2002 by Rob Stone and Jon Cohen. History Fader Label was founde ...

in 2004. It features contributions from

Serj Tankian Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967) is an Armenian-American singer, musician, songwriter, political activist and entrepreneur. He is best known as the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, keyboardist, and occasional rhythm guitarist of heavy metal ...

Zack de la Rocha Zacharias Manuel de la Rocha (born January 12, 1970) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, and political activist. He is best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Rage Against the Machine. Through both Rage Agains ...

, and

Isaiah "Ikey" Owens Randolph Isaiah "Ikey" Owens (December 1, 1974 – October 14, 2014) was an American keyboardist known for his work with The Mars Volta, Jack White and an array of bands from the Long Beach music scene. Biography He notably performed as a m ...

Critical reception

Adam Greenberg of

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

gave the album 4 stars out of 5, saying: "On his self-titled album, Williams moves toward a slightly more accessible format (compared to his previous, more poetry driven work) with twisted guitar lines, heavy bass thumps, and a closer stab at singing from time to time." Robert Gabriel of ''

The Austin Chronicle ''The Austin Chronicle'' is an alternative weekly newspaper published every Thursday in Austin, Texas, United States. The paper is distributed through free news-stands, often at local eateries or coffee houses frequented by its targeted demogr ...

'' gave the album 3.5 stars out of 5, saying: "Social, psychological, and cultural mores are run through a ringer of rap transformed as punk, metal, and jungle with Williams self-producing much of his own inflammatory cache." Mike Diver of '' Drowned in Sound'' gave the album a 10 out of 10, saying: "Its importance is absolute." Ari Levenfeld of ''

PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, fi ...

'' said, "Saul Williams' attempt to save hip hop is admirable, if not entirely successful."

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes. Musicians * Saul Williams – vocals, programming, production (3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) * Mickey P – co-production (3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12), programming (8), additional programming (2, 3, 5, 7), engineering, mixing *

– production (1), piano (1), background vocals (1) * Ani Maljian – background vocals (1) * Musa Bailey – production (2), programming (2) *

Thavius Beck Thavius Beck (born July 31, 1979) is an American record producer and rapper. He has been a member of Global Phlowtations and Lab Waste. He has also put out solo releases under the moniker Adlib. He is a certified trainer of Ableton Live. Biograp ...

– production (4) *

– additional vocals (4) * Saturn – background vocals (5) *

– piano (7), organ (7) *

Mia Doi Todd Mia Doi Todd (born June 30, 1975) is an American singer-songwriter. She was described by ''Dusted Magazine'' as "one of those artists that seem to function not just as creators in their own right, but as connecting links between other musicians." ...

– additional vocals (11) * Carmen – background vocals (11) Technical personnel * Brandy Flower – design, photography * Keba Konte – photography * Katina Parker – photography * Varshini Soobiah – photography * Bridgette Yellen – photography

Charts

References

External links

* * {{Authority control 2004 albums Saul Williams albums Albums produced by Serj Tankian Fader Label albums Albums produced by Thavius Beck