----------
>From: Mark Turner <nugroove@pacbell.net>
>To: acid-jazz@ucsd.edu
>Subject: Re: Scratchhappy
>Date: Wed, Mar 8, 2000, 2:39 AM
>
> At 01:29 PM 3/7/00 -0500, you wrote:
>>Anyone have a review of that new Kid Koala record?
>>
>
> It's a lot like his mixtape from a few years ago, though not quite as good.
> Kind of disappointing after such a long wait, but it's got some funny bits
> and is probably worth checking out if you like his previous stuff. Not the
> masterpiece I was hoping for.
Full disclosure from my end as well: this is a record I'm working publicity
on so naturally I'm biased, but I've also had a couple months to get my head
around it and have talked to tons of folks about their opinions on it.
After 3 years and all the attention that his "Scratchappyland" mixtape/10"
built up, I don't know that *anyone* could live up to all that hype. And
"Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" isn't an extension of that by any means.
"Scratch..." was a mash-up of uptempo breaks and cut-up samples, everything
from Yoda to Monty Python to Peter Gabriel to the Last Emperor soundtrack
and of course the famous Charlie Brown routine. Problem is that you could
never get sample clearance for most/all this stuff, if you did it'd cost you
a mint. So "Carpal Tunnel" is a lot more subtle and slower, not the
pop-hook-catchiness of "Scratch". The thing is, there's a lot of
tongue-in-cheek humor in there - "Fender Bender" (inspired by a car wreck
and the ensuing argument outside Koala's window) is pure genius, and it
doesn't take the typical too-serious turntablist approach at all. After
all, the guy hand-draws a twenty-page comic book to include with his CD, and
then puts a note saying "Free CD with purchase of comic book" on the inside
notes so you *know* he's got a sense of humor. This one requires repeat
listens, and if possible I'd highly recommend seeing the Kid live as this is
where he really shines. He'll be touring the US and Canada in April/May
with Amon Tobin and DJ Food.
Masterpiece or no, you make the call...this is just some more info for those
of you considering this one. Also - keep your eyes posted for the video to
"Fender Bender," a 1-2 minute animated short that's brilliant, MTV did a
feature on 120 Minutes about it a couple weeks back and apparently they're
playing it on Amp as well(?). The fact that any Ninja Tune artist is
getting play on MTV is pretty amazing regardless, you gotta admit! Hope
this helps...Brock
PS - Upcoming Ninja releases: DJ Food "Kaleidoscope" CD Apr. 4, Amon Tobin
"Supermodified" CD May 16, Fink "Fresh Produce" CD Jun. 13 - and also
full-lengths from Coldcut, Mixmaster Morris, Up Bustle and Out, and Flanger
all later in 2K. Stay tuned.
______________
Brock Phillips
Motormouthmedia
2525 Hyperion Ave.
Suite One
Los Angeles, CA 90027
fon 323.662.3865
fax 323.662.3844
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