Howard the Duck

i like rap with normal beats and samples

i like industrial and noise like Einsturzende Neubauten and eX-Girl

i don't like post-metal rap

__________________


Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.

Sneer

My thoughts on this glorious album:

1) What are this albums' strengths?

I think it's primary strength is the way walls of noise are manipulated to fashion hooks and progressions that intertwine seamlessly with the beats and rhymes. Oktopus and Still carefully sculpt textured soundscapes, and masterfully meld everything together to create this heaving, twisting sonic assault.

I also love it for the fact it diverges away from formulaic convention so extremely, it makes the listening experience a lot more interesting.

2) What are its weaknessess?

I don't believe it has one, but others may say there is not enough diversity on the album, it's too intense for too long. Of course, I don't agree with this.

3) How does it compare to the artist's other work?

Gutter Tactics follows a similar blueprint but, although it's a great album in it's own right, just falls short of Absence. Abandoned Language is a lot less abrasive, which allows MC Dalek to come to the fore. A very good album, but again, not quite up to Absence standard. The one album Dalek have made (that I've heard) which I'd say is on par with Absence is their collaboration with Faust.

4) Favourite songs?

'Ever Somber' is incredible with its MBV-influenced, warped chord-progressions and anti-capitalist diatribe. Culture For Dollars, Eyes to Form Shadows and A Beast Caged are other highlights.

5) What feelings did this album evoke?

For me personally, listening to Absence is a process of disconnection. If I want to escape the world for an hour, I'll put this on and submit to the walls of bending noise melting my brain.

6) How does this album fit into your regular rotation?

It's a staple of my music collection, and consequently one of my most played. In terms of Hip Hop, of which I'm a big fan, I'd say the only albums that receive a similar air time are Liquid Swords and Funcrusher Plus.

7) What stood out to you about this album's themes, musically/lyrically?

Well, the lyrics are a study of the human condition, in particular the effects power has on both an individual and mass level. Anger drives the album, and it's a theme that's carried by the music itself.

8) If you've had any noteworthy experiences with this album, what have they been?

I've had various, monumentally good weed experiences with Absence, and I once put Ever Somber on in the car as me and some friends were driving through the French Pyrenees at night, it was strangely amazing.

__________________
Fright Team radio show

Paedantic Basterd

It's definitely fair to say I've never heard anything like this before. I'm not well-versed in hip hop, but this was very interesting to me. To start. I found the use of noise absolutely fascinating, but the album grew a bit repetitive for me as it progressed.

I never listen to lyrics the first time I listen to an album. My focus is on the music. Lyrics take a back seat. This is why I don't get on with a lot of hip hop. That said, I found there wasn't much musical variance between tracks, and that coupled with the repetitive vocal rhythms grew old a bit quick on me.

Er. Unfortunately I actually have to pause this before I'm finished with it and go do something else. So. I'll end my summary later.

Blarobbarg

But that's the beauty of it! It's like a wonderful mashup of the two!

And interesting calling it post-metal rap... I wouldn't have labeled as post-metal personally. Can you say any similar post-metal artists? (with or without rapping)

Mind you, I'm not insulting you at all with either of my comments. Just saying how I can see how you don't like it. So please dont take it as an insult. >_>

Sneer

I wouldn't say post-metal either, there's no hint of an experimentation on the metal genre in my eyes. It sounds more Shoegaze than metal, built on a heavy industrial and noise influence. I'm being a bit of a genre nazi, but alas.

__________________
Fright Team radio show

Paedantic Basterd

I'd be inclined to call it something like Noise Hop.

Howard the Duck

no offense taken

it just takes time to sink in

The Residents' Commercial Album took me ages to like

__________________


Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.

Paedantic Basterd

Okay, got around to finishing this, but because I had an awful fxcking day, it's going to be nice and abrupt.

Far as my relationship with hip hop goes, it's pretty good. If I listened to a lot of hip hop, this would rank pretty highly, but as is, I don't think it would get an awful lot of playtime from me. Still, I enjoyed myself, and I respect it.

I must say that it hasn't done much to make me feel badass tonight. Mostly I feel depressed, worried, and a little bit pissy.

EDIT: I genuinely really enjoy Ever Somber. Favourite track.

Electrophonic Tonic

In terms of badassery, I don't really see Absence as an album that makes me feel that way. My initial reaction was a combination of shock and intrigue.

As someone who loves White Light/White Heat, Swans and Krautrock, the abrasive sounds were nothing new. Public Enemy is one of my favorite rap groups, so the social commentary was welcome. Rap is at it's best when it's super serious or super cheesy, and PE definitely is as the serious end of the spectrum and they are one of the best. Around the time I first heard Dalek (Absence specifically), I was looking for some abrasive hip hop. I just couldn't believe how abrasive Dalek actually was both with it's music and it's lyrics.

After the first listen left me with a headache and destroyed an older pair of headphones, the intrigue started to kick in. Hip hop can be experimental, but it is limited to keeping itself within a structure that allows for it to remain hip-hop. Dalek's ability to be so extreme, while still being recognizable as a hip-hop act is someone I took a long time to wrap by brain around.

And, I appreciate the kind words for my album review.

Blarobbarg

I would definitely be in agreement with this.

And this as well.

Let's just call it noise-hop and call it a night. :p