>
You missed it! I've just checked out
your `Best of 2005 in Music' list and
you didn't even include Why?'s Elephant
Eyelash let alone place it at No.1 where
it belongs.
This is to rock music in 2005
what The Beach Boys Pet Sounds was in
1966. As a Limey I say - why can't
British groups do it? Be inventive/creative?
while still being commercial? The Beatles
did it (progressed) - who does it now?
The American group Why? can.
This album starts with a rap track, but
with a twist and a mite more melody than
most rap songs, though not lacking in any
gritty street cred. It digs with the best
of them. But then it opens out into a malange
of sounds and lyrics that may remind you of
Talking Heads, and Brian Wilson, but most
of all of The Mothers of Invention
circa 'We're Only in it for The Money'.
But we're not back in 1967, in case
you're thinking 'retro'. This is more cutting
edge 2005/6 than Madonna or Beck or eminem
- in fact it's the sound of Rock'n'roll Future!
I first heard this Why? disc played on the new
music BBC Radio 3 programme Mixing It (give the
guys credit). Where the Frank Zappa'ish 'Fall
Saddles' track - with it's weird sounds and
changes - just blew me away.
The Mixing It guys compaired it to
'up market' Pavement. If these comparisons
don't whet your appitite for a listen -
- you'll be missing out...
For this effort and on the equally dope EP Sanddollars,Why? took it upon himself to add more members, without changing the name on his recordings. So essentially, Why? is now Josiah and Yoni Wolf, along with a host of other performers playing instruments and such. But Why? is also Yoni's stage name as it appears on prior recordings along with his work on Clouddead and Reaching Quiet, Hymie's Basement....Why, Why??? its confusing, but a spectacular hybrid of indie rock-hip-hop which is really quite enchanting and spectacular. An awesome work.
The important thing to mention about his CD is that (aside from being a bit indie-pop'ish ) you haven't heard anything like it. This is true for almost all of anticon's releases.
Buy this CD and if you don't like it at first, listen to it about 5 more times. Like mentioned in a previous review, the imagery created by the bizarre metaphors and personification is amazing, and it keeps you listening.
Hear-hear for rock CD of the year!
This is Why?s new album and it is by far his best. Now he is backed up with a band and it makes their music sound amazing. If you ever have the chance to go to one of their shows. Do it. You will be impressed.
