Latest stunning solo effort from respected LA MC. Influenced by rock, metal and industrial bands as well as hip-hop, soul, funk and reggae, having produced Saul Williams' Niggy Tardust album with Trent Reznor and having the Mars Volta's Cedric Bixler-Zavala appear on a previous song, Thavius Beck's more than your average rapper. In fact, he's had years of experience as an MC and producer. This new album is just the man (no guest vocals here) and sees his rapid-fire, almost spoken rapping backed by warm, pulsing bass and aggressive highs and electronics that make this witty critique of his life and screwed up country sound huge. Across the 15 tracks, including 2 instrumentals, Beck digs deeper than most hip-hop artists - Dialogue seems like a perfect title. The hooks aren't as catchy as they could be but this album is another release, alongside the likes of P.OS. and Atmosphere, which could well appeal to rock, punk and metal fans as well as meaningful hip-hop fans, just on the intensity and passion of tracks such as '"Violence" and "Pressure." - Big Cheese |