The Hilltop Hoods have played a big part in bringing the Aussie born hip hop sound to the largely untrained ears of the masses. A lot of this had to do with the success of the hit track Nosebleed Section from their gold selling 2003 release, The Calling, which landed a top 10 spot in that year’s Hottest 100 on Triple J. The Hoods’ eagerly awaited fourth album, The Hard Road, went on to reach number 1 on the ARIA charts soon after release, an Australian hip hop first. It’s therefore not surprising that it won’t disappoint the fans that this Adelaide outfit have cultivated so far, both here and overseas.

Things get off to a great start with the party vibes and catchy hooks of the singles Clown Prince and The Hard Road, already regulars on the radio. The smooth, loungey Conversations from a Speakeasy, featuring Omni from the US, is guaranteed to elicit a smile, and probably a few multiple listenings.

More emotive themes come to the fore in City of Lights, Stopping all Stations and An Audience with the Devil, where the Hoods ruminate on their past and share their thoughts and experiences, providing a well-rounded counter to the party atmospheres found elsewhere on the album. Politics also features as a lyrical topic, and it’s refreshing to hear locally relevant politicians and topics being incorporated into the rhymes.

The Hard Road also features numerous collaborations with Australian and international guests. Apart from the aforementioned Omni track, UK guests Mystro and Braintax appear on Obese Lowlives, and the lads are joined by an all star collection of Oz Hop greats on The Blue Blooded.

The Hilltop Hoods (as well as the other contributors) have worked hammer and tongs on this album, and it shows. Production wise, each track has been tweaked to perfection - polished and well layered without sounding overdone, and the team of Suffa and Pressure bring quality rhymes that just won’t quit. It’s a fair bet that The Hard Road will do even more to get the Oz Hop sound out there, and whether you are already a fan of the Hilltop Hoods or have yet to hear them, you can’t go wrong with The Hard Road.

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Track listing
1. Recapturing The Vibe
2. Clown Prince
3. The Hard Road
4. Stopping All Stations
5. Conversations From A Speakeasy (Feat. Omni)
6. What A Great Intro
7. What A Great Night (Dnr)
8. City Of Light
9. Obese Lowlifes (Feat. Mystro And Braintax)
10. Circuit Breaker
11. Breathe
12. The Blue Blooded (Feat. The Blue Blooded Allstars)
13. Monsters Ball
14. An Audience With The Devil
15. The Captured Vibe (Feat. Dj Reflux)