Dälek - Gutter Tactics (2009)

Dälek
Gutter Tactics (2009)

Ignore (if you can) the fact that this duo's name has thrust the MC into the forefront. Dälek may be the name of the band and the rapper, but DJ Oktopus' unique production has been the driving force behind their hard-to-place sound in the realm of music, borrowing as much from hip hop as from experimental noise, industrial, shoegaze, drone, and (for this album's title track especially) drone doom metal. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes people make when exploring Dälek is to approach them as a rap group. And while hip hop with a political flare is certainly part of the overall package, one shouldn't go into their albums expecting anything resembling Public Enemy or Dead Prez.

As discussed, production is key with Dälek albums, and with Gutter Tactics, Oktopus gives the most consistent and occasionally brilliant effort he's ever managed. Finding a balance between the harsh noise of Filthy Tongues and Absence, and the softer albeit sometimes uninteresting melodies of Abandoned Language, Gutter Tactics is at times dirty and raw but without being obnoxious, and other times bleak but without ever getting boring. If they hadn't already planned on releasing an instrumental version of this album, they should seriously consider it. It'd arguably be the best instrumental hip hop/post-rock/electronic album in recent memory.

If that's taken as a criticism of the vocals, it pretty much is. Oftentimes muffled, incomprehensible, and buried in the mix, Oktopus' handling of the vocals are easily the weakest part of his effort on Gutter Tactics. It also doesn't help that Dälek seems as if he hasn't cheered up much (though it's difficult to tell for sure; the liner notes don't contain any lyrics), not that anyone should have expected as much, but in keeping with his dire outlook he falls victim to a common failing of political hip hop.

Look, there's a reason why Public Enemy had Flava Flav. People can only take so much of hearing how fucked up and racist the world is before recoiling. Things aren't perfect by any means, and this type of subject matter shouldn't be ignored, but Dalek feeds it in such heavy doses that it distracts from using their music as a form of escapism. Yes, Dälek, I actually did know who Medgar Evers was (referring to the line "Tell the truth you never knew who Medgar Evers was", stated in one track). He faced a lot of obstacles and was killed trying to give people like you and I more opportunities for a better future, and his goals have since largely been met, so I'm pretty sure he'd scoff at any mention of how bad you have it.


Score: 8.5/10


"Los Macheteros/Spear Of A Nation"


"Gutter Tactics"