Arriving a few months after Hilltop Hoods’ vitally modern The Calling, 2004’s Consistency Theory saw the Melbourne trio look back fondly while their peers looked forward hungrily. 1200 Techniques’ second record doubles down on the traditions of American hip-hop from the ’80s and ’90s. DJ Peril’s deep, abiding love for both eras’ aerosol art and breakdance culture is cited as a persistent reference from the outset: “B-Boy Shit” feverishly recounts the personal importance of said shit by track two. “Talkin’ You Back” is just as explicit (“We’re talkin’ you back/To the old school”), while it’s no surprise that the meta-intent of “Where UR At” was the album’s biggest single. Sheer b-boy flavour invades its percussion and bassline to the point it threatens to become that Chic groove. Intentionally, it never does—though N’fa’s joyous narrative remains a hand-clapping homage to Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”. 1200 Techniques’ MC is less amiable during his standout turn on “Eye of the Storm”, spitting out his distaste for life’s games with a verve that approaches Eminem. The group would go on hiatus in 2005 to pursue solo projects for 10 years—but the culturally preservative legacy capped off by Consistency Theory was so respected worldwide that when they reintroduced themselves in 2015, it would initially be alongside Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah for “Flow is Trouble”.