Busdriver and Radioinactive are representing the West Coast, indie side of hip-hop, and of all the varieties of underground hip-hop, the Los Angeles (and the West Coast) strain has certainly turned out its share of talented MCs with lyrical dexterity, and wit.
The Weather makes a strong case for the art of MCing. It's an exercise in excess, chockfull of vocal ammunitions, information overload and free association. It's like one long, on going saga, with mini-episodes. These cats take the longest, fastest and most interesting way to make their statement, clearly pulling all tricks out of the their rhyme bag on the way there - and hardly ever taking a breath!
Though both have off beat delivery, Radioinactive plays the straightman to Busdriver's twisted flows. Separately, they both play with odd rhythms and dynamic stylism, Busdriver is very often mimicking a jazz instrument or going against the beat. Other times, they just play off each other with layered vocals. Lyrically, they are in the vein of the Pharcyde or Paul Barman, but without all the really overtly sexual references. Also, think electronic. Producer Daedelus contributes tons of samples and odd tracks with references galore from old TV cartoons and children's shows, 1950's commercials and horror flicks. It's really all a mixed bag - in good fun.
Well, it's still a long way to hip-hop's recovery but if this is any sign of the state of the underground, then here we can see that it is in very good standing. Lyricism, the long neglected back bone of hip-hop, and a casualty of its mainstreaming, is still alive and well in Los Angeles. - Repellent |
2XLP/Out Of Print