Roots Manuva – Slime & Reason
Reviewed by Sadie O., 1/16/09
Demented electronic dance hip hop from the UK. It’s got a good beat, but it would probably be easier to dance to if you had one leg much shorter than the other. Many odd noises, and apparently a backing chorus of sad clowns. Interesting stuff!
FCCs on 2, 8, 11, 14 (~singular), 13 (NOT!); I like 3, 9, 12 best.
(NB: cover says there are also FCCs on 3, 7, 9, 10!)
1. 4:06 ***dancehall-style vocal intro, downtempo monochordal skank, English hip hop vocals. Has a bit of a limping circus feel.
2. 3:53 FCC: “shit” **electronic chimes and buzzes, falsetto backing vocals, dubstep. Sounds like a theramin solo. Eeek!
3. 3:14 ****crazed hollering, then a bouncy, swishy midtempo something with toy piano and several voices in unison. Odd!
4. 4:37 ***pong sounds with layers of electronic beats piled on. Turns a bit spiritual.
5. 3:43 **cobbled, limping, game noises etc., complicated vocals.
6. 3:46 ***slow growly blatty electronics with some possible slide whistles, downbeat but cool.
7. 2:15 ***boomy crashy midtempo wiggle with fun lyrics.
8. 3:32 FCC: “shit” x 2 **rather cinematic chords, clear hip hop vocals, chorus a bizarre take on a spiritual classic.
9. 5:23 ****groovy downtempo march/funk, interesting personal lyrics.
10. 3:10 ***a bit uptempo, syncopated blatty something.
11. 6:07 FCC: “shit” **acoustic guitar and chimes, then farty blatty electronics, downtempo and downbeat. This seems to be what passes for the “blues” in this odd universe.
12. 3:04 ****midtempo, metallic dancey groove, a bit familiar sounding.
13. 3:57 Multiple FCCs ***midtempo, swingy, danceable, aggressively upbeat.
14. 3:48 FCC: “shit” x 2 **slow rubbery groove.