Aesop Rock None Shall Pass Grade: A-

Ace Rizzle is back -- a little older, a little wiser, but still dope as ever. None Shall Pass is Aesop's latest production since 2005's adventurous Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives EP. There's production from Blockhead, El-P, Rob Sonic and Aesop himself. \nDense, verbose metaphors swim in and out of the sea of top-notch production. Aesop is cryptic as ever as he spits about the grim past, present and future. It's still recognizable Aesop Rock, but don't expect another Labor Days. This is his darkest release yet, but there's still room for humor, catchy call-and-response, a whole lotta funk, and enough surprises and variety to keep this disc spinning like the universe. "Bring Back Pluto," a song about Pluto with Pee Wee Herman imagery, gets mad props. And maybe Aesop's most audacious number is his tag team with Bloomington-born John Darnielle (the Mountain Goats), in the live-band jam "Coffee."\nThe album is enjoyable whether you choose to dig deep or not. But it's not for the casual listener. Use your brain and listen to something that will challenge you. None Shall Pass fits the bill.