Notes: Count Bass D; Sigur Rós

Greetings friends. Just a couple of notes for the week ahead. First, I'd like to bring attention to Count Bass D's (who's album, Dwight Spitz, I reviewed earlier this month) new instrumental project, Robbed Without A Pistol, that he featured on his blog just last week. It can be downloaded at 320kbps from the link on the entry page. He's releasing a new album later this year called L7 (Mid-Life Crisis). Which I'll likely be checking out.

I'm going to a concert tomorrow night for the band Sigur Rós. Maybe I'll review it and maybe I'll take some pictures and post them in the future. It's probably because I'm getting older, and also probably because I'm actively trying to practice something resembling financial responsibility, but I'm not very big on concert going lately. If this were four years ago and I was seeing Sigur Rós live I'd be pissing myself with excitement right now. As a matter of fact, I did see them four years ago and I was pissing myself with excitement (not literally; mom wouldn't be proud). Of course, four years ago I had a lot more time on my hands and Sigur Rós were still recording classic material.

But they do put on a good live show, and I figure this could be the last opportunity I have to see them (considering next time they come through I might not even care). I'm just hoping they play a good mix of their earlier material.

To coincide with the concert, I'll post my review of their latest album, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust, tomorrow.

G'day, folks.

Links:
Count Bass D
Sigur Rós

Count Bass D - Dwight Spitz (2002)

Count Bass D - Dwight Spitz (2002)

In 2004, Madlib and MF Doom released a collaborative effort under the name of Madvillian. The album, Madvilliany, was met with thunderous approval in the world of indie music. Backpackers all over hailed it as one of the best hip hop albums of the year (which I could agree with), and one of the best hip hop albums of the decade thus far (which I could agree with) if not one of the best hip hop albums of all-time (whoa there). Two years earlier, Count Bass D released this album; similar in style and equally as good, yet largely ignored.

I'm not sure why is this album not as revered in the indie hip hop world as Madvilliany. The similarities between the two are notable, especially in the rapid fire album flow with punk song lengths (and partially because both albums feature MF Doom). I'm not prepared to argue that Count Bass D is better here lyrically than Doom is on Madvilliany, because he isn't, but whereas Doom trumps him in skill they are both about equal when it comes to appeal. Bass D's slightly nasally yet ultra-relaxed baritone delivery exudes tons of personality. And with a host of guest rappers by his side (including Edan and the aforementioned MF Doom), the album feels fresh throughout. Production-wise, Dwight Spitz is at least on par with Madlib's effort in Madvilliany, meaning lots of off-kilter beats layered with obscure and not so obscure samples, but the use of live instruments (played by Bass D himself) give it a feel all its own.

Fans of Madvilliany will be doing themselves a favor by checking this out. It's similar enough to feel familiar but still has it's own unique personality.

Score: 8.5/10


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