#374 Samiyam - Sam Baker's Album

Dust'd.

The review there pointed out how this album was adventurous because it used instruments in different ways than they are normally used in instrumental hip hop. I guess I agree. Fact is, those conventions were in place for a reason, thwarting them for no reason isn't, in and of itself, valuable to me.

Here, the samples blur and slur, like they're drunk, you're high, and a thick oilslick fog is embundling the room. Its a bit like the Russian Futurists / Tough Alliance "smothered in blankets" model, except instead of smothering something that is sharp and bright enough to show through (catchy power pop), you're smothering something round and dark (atmospheric instrumental hip hop). That's too indistinct. The result is sludgy, cassette-warped, pitch-bent not very pleasant, and not actually that interesting.

I hate to keep flogging the dubstep comparisons, and I'm sure I'm casting that term too widely, but the speed-changes, wallowing, and general fuckery-for-its-own-sake that characterize the worst of the dubstep world is on full display here 2/5

You might like this if: you're looking for a new flavor of experimental music or instrumental hip hop, and don't mind if the result isn't especially pleasant or listenable.