Rjd2 - Dead Ringer
By: Tyler Watson | Category: Album Archive | 09/28/05 | 11:52 PM
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Grade: B+ | Genre: Underground Hip-Hop
Summary: Do you love instrumental hip-hop, old soul samples, and Def Jux? If so, check out Deadringer. If not, you probably aren't cool enough anyway.
Rjd2's music seriously sounds like it belongs in Speed Racer. I never thought a comment like that could be used as a compliment, but in this case it is. It's a kind of old-school type (mostly) instrumental hip-hop that still sounds refreshing; however, Rjd2 is certainly a crate-digger and his samples have a lo-fi, aged sound to them. DJs have been sampling like this since the dawn of scratching, and Rjd2 isn't really breaking new ground. But he's definitely more fun to listen to than the typical wrist-breaking wakka-wakka DJs that get all the attention. |
The album commences with "The Horror", which just seems like it would be tied to the album art somehow. I prefer to think the photo of Rjd2 lying in a field, head and body covered in blood wasn't just for fun, but who knows? He warns us in this track that it's "time, time, time, time, time to understand the horror!" and we understand it pretty quickly.
Older hip-hop fans will wish they had discovered this earlier and probably wish that somebody like Rjd2 was around when deejaying first began. Chances are the grainy, generally less-produced sound of the album will be a welcome step back from the over-produced sound of more current hip-hop. It's much easier to get to the heart of the music when it isn't glossed over with effects and reverb.
Upon the first listen, most Rjd2 initiates will probably think that this is just forward-thinking hip-hop from the late 80s. It's nice to encounter a musician that wears his influences on his sleeve instead of trying to hide them and insisting that his recycled ideas are "new".
Overall, I'd say this album is for fans of any instrumental hip-hop or for the rap fan that prefers indie and underground rappers. Aesop Rock, MURS, and Mr. Lif come to mind, which is appropriate since all of these rappers are on the Definitive Jux label along with Rjd2. R&B fans would probably appreciate this album somewhat, as it seems to represent a sort of missing link between R&B and hip-hop. One more thing -- I feel wrong telling people what song to like, but "Smoke & Mirrors" is a real winner. Out of all the tracks, it has the strongest R&B influence.
In conclusion, Rjd2 is awesome.
Release Date: July 23, 2005
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