# State of the Art (Hilltop Hoods album)

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | |
State of the Art is the fifth studio album by Australian hip hop trio Hilltop Hoods, released on 12 June 2009, by Golden Era Records.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2009, the album won Best Urban Album while Suffa won Engineer of the Year for this release.
At the J Awards of 2009, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.

## Background

State of the Art is the first release by their newly founded record label, Golden Era Records. It is the first release to be made by the group since their ARIA Award winning album, The Hard Road, in 2006, and its remix album, The Hard Road: Restrung, which was released in 2007. These albums were both released under their previous label Obese Records. The first track on the album, 'The Return' is about how long it had been since they last released an album.
The album contains 3 singles, first single "Chase That Feeling", was released on 8 May 2009. The other two singles "Still Standing" and "The Light You Burned" were released with the album on 12 June 2009, then re-released with remix, instrumental and radio edited versions of the songs a few months after their initial release. There are 12 tracks in the album, and 2 extra bonus tracks. Several tracks contain features from Trials, Pharoahe Monch, and several members of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Other acts that also appear on the album are Briggs, Funkoars and Vents, who are also signed to Golden Era Records and appear on the iTunes bonus track 'Rent Week'.
The production for State of the Art was mainly held by Suffa, with "She's So Ugly" and "Classic Example" being produced by Pokerbeats and DJ Nu-Mark, respectively. As in previous albums, Suffa’s eclectic sampling pulls from various genres, including rock, jazz, soul, funk, and psychedelic pop, while blending a broad range of hip-hop subgenres like New York Boom Bap, Mafioso, and Horrorcore.
The album debuted at number one on the Australian ARIA Charts and has been certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments exceeding 140,000 copies. In 2020 the album was certified triple platinum after shipments of State of the Art exceeded 210, 000 copies.

## Artwork

State of the Art is the 5th studio album, and 13th release to feature the character of 'Armageddon' on the cover, a creation of Hilltop Hoods to adorn their albums. The trio consider him to be the 4th member of the band, and said they were inspired in their youth to create him by Iron Maiden's popular character 'Eddie'.
The illustration for the album and associated releases was provided by John Engelhardt, and graphic design provided by April77 Creative. Associated Photography release with the album was created by Mathematics & Conan Whitehouse, and image post production services were provided by Ben Funnel.

## Sampling

State of the Art, like many Hilltop Hoods releases, feature sounds samples from a variety of sources.
| Song | Samples used in the song |
| The Return | Come With Your Lady- Rare Earth (1972) Clan in Da Front- Wu-Tang Clan (1993) Big Boy Game- M.O.P. (2005) J.Beez Comin' Through- Jungle Brothers (1989) Come on Down- Big Daddy Kane ft. Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes (1991) Sound of Da Police- KRS-One (1993) |
| Super Official | Buttermilk Bottom- The Spirit of Atlanta (1973) Success- Fat Joe (1995) |
| Chase That Feeling | Pass the Word- The Mad Lads (1973) |
| She's So Ugly | Melancholy Baby- Sapphire Thinkers (1969) Ugly Broad- The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (Film, 1974) |
| Still Standing | Your Teeth in My Neck- Scientist (1981) I'm Still Standing- Elton John (1983) Mama Said Knock You Out- LL Cool J (1990) |
| Classic Example | The Game- Common (2007) The Infamous Date Rape- A Tribe Called Quest (1991) |
| Chris Farley | What a Great Night- Hilltop Hoods (2006) |
| The Light You Burned | Hot Line Conversation- Giant Crab (1986) Thin Line- Jurassic 5 ft. Nelly Furtado (2002) Hate Me Now- Nas ft. Puff Daddy (1999) |
| Parade of the Dead | Then- Yes (1970) Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide- Gravediggaz ft. Kurious (1994) |
| Last Confession | A Possible Projection of the Future- Al Kooper (1972) |
| Hilltoppa | Allure- Jay-Z (2003) |
| Fifty in FIve | Twenty Ten- Tinkerbells Fairydust (1986) Singing in the Morning- Ohio Players (1971) |
| Rent Week | Brother- Emilio Santiago (1975) Show Money- Funkoars (2008) |
'She's So Ugly' was sampled in Briggs' 2011 track 'Let it Burn'.

## Reception

State of the Art spent two weeks at number one in the ARIA charts after it was released on 12 June 2009. After dropping from the number one spot, State of the Art spent a total of 28 weeks within the ARIA top 50 albums Charts. After its initial 21 week streak, the album left the top 50 for seven weeks, then placed on and off over the next five weeks. The album took an almost 10-year hiatus from the top 50 album charts, but returned for a single week at position #41 in December 2019.
State of the Art was also number one on the Weekly Top Urban Album Chart for three weeks (22 June – 6 July). It finished at number 12 in the Yearly ARIA Top 25 Albums Chart, the band's first album to be included in this chart. The album was certified double platinum in 2010 for shipping 140,000 units and ended up being certified triple platinum in 2020.
"Chase That Feeling", the first single from the album, was released on the 5 May and peaked at number eight in the weekly ARIA top 50 Singles Charts. It remained in the top 50 for 28 weeks. "Still Standing", the second single from State of the Art, and was released with the album on 12 June 2009. It peaked at number 34 in the ARIA Top Weekly Singles Charts, and spent six weeks in the top 50.
'Chase That Feeling' came in at number 3 in Triple J's Hottest 100, behind 'Little Lion Man' by Mumford and Sons (number 1) and 'Parle Vous Francais' by Art vs. Science (number 2). 'Still Standing' placed at 37, making them one of 23 artist to receive at least 2 songs nominations in the 100. 'Chase That Feeling' was also selected with 41 other songs from the 100 to be released in Triple j Hottest 100 Volume 17 CD, representing the countdown of that year. The song features as track 6 in disc 1 of the CD release.
When 'Chase That Feeling' placed 3rd, they tied the record for highest placed hip hop song in the hottest 100 with 3 other songs. Their own song 'The Hard Road' placed 3rd in 2006, as did the Gorillaz 'Feel Good Inc.' in 2005, and Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise' in 1995. This tied record was broken in 2012 when 'Thrift Shop' by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz placed number 1.

## Track listing

All tracks are written by Hilltop Hoods

## Touring

Hilltop Hoods promoted their album with their 'State of the Art' tour, with support act Canadian hip hop artist Classified, and Australian rapper Briggs.
Shows in the 'State of the Art' tour :
| Venue | City | Audience | Date |
| Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW | All ages | Saturday 18 July 2009 |
| Capitol | Perth, WA | Over 18 | Thursday 23 July 2009 |
| Hifi Bar | Brisbane, QLD | Over 18 | Friday 24 July 2009 |
| Grandstand Hall | Hobart, TAS | Over 18 | Thursday 30 July 2009 |
| Palace Theatre, Melbourne | Melbourne VIC | Over 18 | Friday 31 July 2009 |
| Thebarton Theatre | Adelaide, SA | All ages | Saturday 1 August 2009 |
| ANU Refectory | Canberra, ACT | Over 18 | Tuesday 4 August 2009 |
Following this tour, Hilltop Hoods launched a second national tour to promote their album. This was the 'Still Standing' tour supported by fellow Golden Era Records artist Vents and their mixer Dj ADFU.
Shows in the 'Still Standing' tour :
| Venue | City | Audience | Date |
| Discovery Nightclub | Darwin, NT | Over 18 | Friday 16 October 2009 |
| Mangrove Resort Hotel | Broome, WA | Over 18 | Saturday 17 October 2009 |
| Hordern Pavilion | Sydney, NSW | All ages | Friday 23 October 2009 |
| Uni Hall, University of Wollongong | Wollongong, NSW | Over 18 | Saturday 24 October 2009 |
| Inferno Nightclub | Traralgon, VIC | Over 18 | Thursday 29 October 2009 |
| Wrestpoint Entertainment Center | Hobart, TAS | Over 18 | Friday 30 October 2009 |
| Albert Hall | Launceston, TAS | All ages | Saturday 31 October 2009 |
| Brisbane Big Top, RNA Showgrounds | Brisbane, QLD | All ages | Friday 6 November 2009 |
| Seagulls Club | Gold Coast, QLD | Over 18 | Saturday 7 October 2009 |
| Shadows Entertainment Complex | Mount Gambier, SA | Over 18 | Thursday 12 November 2009 |
| Mildura Settlers Tavern | Mildura, VIC | Over 18 | Friday 13 November 2009 |
| Jubilee Pavilion, Adelaide Showground | Adelaide, SA | All ages | Saturday 14 November 2009 |
| Bendigo Schweppes Center | Bendigo, VIC | All ages | Friday 20 November 2009 |
| New Albury Hotel | Albury, NSW | Over 18 | Sunday 22 November 2009 |
| Festival Hall | Melbourne, VIC | All ages | Thursday 3 December 2009 |
| Brothers Rugby League Ground | Mackay, QLD | All ages | Thursday 10 December 2009 |
| Riverway Stadium | Townsville, QLD | All ages | Friday 11 December 2009 |
| Brothers Leagues Club | Cairns, QLD | All ages | Saturday 12 December 2009 |
The band also played songs from the new album at shows performed at festivals throughout 2009.
Shows Performed at Festivals in 2009 :
| Festival | City | Date |
| Groovin' the Moo | Townsville, QLD | Saturday 2 May 2009 |
| Groovin the Moo | Maitland, NSW | Saturday 9 May 2009 |
| Groovin the Moo | Bendigo, VIC | Saturday 16 May 2009 |
| Triple J's One Night Stand | Sale, VIC | Saturday 30 May 2009 |
| Splendour in the Grass | Byron Bay, NSW | Sunday 26 July 2009 |
| One Movement Festival | Perth, WA | Sunday 18 October 2009 |
| Fat as Butter Festival | Newcastle, NSW | Sunday 25 October 2009 |
| Trackside Festival | Canberra, ACT | Saturday 21 November 2009 |
| Open Arms Festival | Coffs Harbour, NSW | Saturday 28 November 2009 |
| Homebake Festival | Sydney, NSW | Saturday 5 December 2009 |
| Falls Music and Arts Festival | Lorne, VIC | Thursday 31 December 2009 |

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | 3× Platinum | 210,000$^‡$ |
| $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||