JOB II: The Demon of the Eternal Recurrence

Hollywood is in the mood for sequels this summer, so it isn't too surprising to see one of the most successful franchises of the 2002 fringe festival circuit return for seconds. Jerome Saibil and Eli Batalion - the dynamic duo behind Job: The Hip Hop Musical - does a double take with Job II.

Part Two boldly moves from the more familiar world of the Bible into the godless realm of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. It opens with a quick prologue to get everyone up to the speed on the Job storyline before MC Abel (Batalion) shoots rival MC Cain (Saibil) in the head. Their re-wind of the murder attempt is eerily accurate.

As its hip predecessor, Job II explodes with such rapid-fire rapping that attentive ears can hardly keep up with. But it's worth concentrating to appreciate such ingenious rhyming as 'Shopenhauer's' with 'grope in showers.' The action never flags, although the elaborate plot line is hard to follow in the leadup to MC Abel's prophesied meeting with the notorious Demon of the Eternal Recurrence.

These outrageously gifted Brown University buddies from Montreal are likely headed to an off-Broadway run with Job and a career arc which might overshoot future fringe festivals. So catch them while you can. The only rap on Job II is the missing pleasure of first discovering audacious new talent.

— Kevin Prokosh