Monday, December 24, 2007

"Different Yet Able To Relate"

That is the motto for one Occasional Detroit, hailing originally from Yisplanti, Michigan now living in New Mexico. They are a total anomaly, not because they cross hip-hop with "noise" or whatever, but because they do it so well. Towondo (or Beyababa as he's sometimes known) and Demeat first popped up on my radar back in late 2005 when I saw them play in St. Louis. Their performance was one of the most surreal shows I've ever had the pleasure to witness. The set wasn't really very musical, but instead was some weird skit that involved Towondo, clad in a tutu, dying while Demeat talked on the phone. No one knew what to make of it and everyone loved it. Everyone agreed it was somehow political but no one could quite figure out how. I still haven't figured it out. What I have learned however is that O-D is a lot more than just some silly skit band as evidenced by two stellar releases this year. Both records are collaborations with Charleston, South Carolina's Gaybomb aka Andrew Barranca, ex-member of Puke Attack and the man behind the newly formed Isle of Man label. The first record, a beautiful clear purple LP in a picture disc sleeve released on Isle of Man, is a thorough document of the meeting of these two artists. It spans quite a distance, starting on rocky ground with a soundcheck and lots of "are we recording?" talk. But before you can say the word "amateur" an infectious beat has kicked in and Towando has started to free associate (i believe in hip-hop they call it a flow) about pasta and mic problems. It only gets weirder from there. Barely audible Farfisa tones, saxophone, and Gaybomb's distinctive card-reader all collide as Demeat and Towondo battle back and forth about what day of the week it is. And that's only the first song! The other two songs on the first side of the LP mine even more confounding territory, twisting their experimental hip-hop stylings into a much more curious and abstract concoction by incorporating elements of tropicalia, jazz, lounge, eastern music, and harsh noise into the mix. The B-side is where things really get poppin'. After a false start or two and a few beat tweaking moments things really start to cook as Demeat gives a laid back flow and the bass builds to the sound of a helicopter whirring three feet above yr head. The gears are then shifted as Gaybomb takes over with the saxophone and the beat starts to falter and stutter out. Before you realize what has happened everything is more or less back in order and Demeat hasn't missed a step. Towards the end of the track the beat kicks in even harder and there is a G-funk style synth line for a moment before being drowned out again by the saxophone and Demeat's continuing flow. But as great as this track is it's really only a build up for the final helping. Yes, if there is anything O-D know how to do, it's keep people hanging on, and the payoff doesn't get much better than the last song on this record, called simply "Electro-Pop". I don't even know where to start on this one! Try to imagine if you can, the cruddiest sounding drum n' bass track in the world (but you know, in a good way) with one of those dudes who freestyles for money near the airport having a psychotic break over it. Yeah, this shit is REAL fucking good, amazing in fact and proof that O-D has the world in their hands and a future worth betting on. But just in case there is further proof needed, from the same session comes a 7" from the fine people at Human Conduct and I Just Live Here. And it too is a monster. Gone is the light-hearted, casual opening of the LP replaced instead with overblown card-reader scratches and glowing synths. Deep hitting bass kicks in and Demeat unleashes a flow that actually rivals Beyababa's on "Electro-Pop". The B-side is a mind fuck similar to the alien weirdness of the latter half of the LP's A-side, but more spastic. The cover art is great too, if for no other reason than because I have no idea what it's trying to convey, a common experience for me when dealing with this curious duo. I'm gonna go ahead and predict that this band will end up on Load eventually. They seem to be exactly what the biggest little noise label in the world is missing, especially after those previous failed attempts at experimental hip-hop and techno (anyone remember Pleasurehorse or even worse Hawd Gankstuh Rappuhs MC's wid gatz? I didn't think so). After Load signed three of my favorite bands (Sword Heaven, Air Conditioning, Silver Daggers) in like one month or something last year, I feel like I can get a sense about these things. The only thing standing between O-D and world domination is someone willing to throw money at them. They're way too good for Troubleman, so here's hoping Load signs them soon. Either way they are a band for the ages and a true original.

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