MF Doom’s new album is fucking ridiculous
March 25th, 2009 by Ben Westhoff in Music news
MF Doom — or simply DOOM, as he now wants to be known — is back after a long hiatus, particularly for someone so prolific. One thing we know for sure: His new album Born Like This is performed by him, not a masked impersonator. The album dropped yesterday, and I’m listening to it for the first time here. I’ve live-blogged my thoughts below, borrowing Byron Crawford’s format.
“Supervillain Intro” “Doom’s got a plan that’s gonna shake the heavens,” a WWE-voiced announcer tells us. Let’s hope so. He adds: “Time to get the feta!”
“Gazillion Ear” One of two J Dilla beats here. It’s pretty hot, with kind of an eerie/haunted carnival/David Lynch vibe.
“Ballskin” Now we’re talking! This Jake One beat is even hotter than “Trap Door,” from the Seattle producer’s 2008 album White Van Music, which Wikipedia tells me only sold 9,859 copies. That number makes me want to run myself over with a van (of any color). Wait, is this track already over?
“Yessir!” The Raekwon joint, and he definitely doesn’t phone it in. Doom’s beat is really repetitive and annoying, though. He may have phoned it in, whatever that could mean.
“Absolutely” The only Madlib beat here. I’m feeling it. In fact, this whole thing has a Madvillainy vibe so far. That can’t be a bad thing, right? I could do without the Cops sample at the end of the song, however. Is that honky policeman supposed to sound dramatic? Are they making fun of him? Why not just sample Reno 911, then?
“Rap Ambush” Another ridiculously hot Jake One beat. But, again, it’s only a minute and a half long.
“Lightworks” Another J Dilla sample, but this one doesn’t do much for me.
“Batty Boys” “Turning dirt to dollars like Don Henley”?! Doom’s beat is pretty weak, but I think it’s fair to say Doom is back as a lyricist.
“Angelz” It’s Ghostface! This was surely recorded for GhostDoom. What the hell is up with that project? Call me cynical, but this makes me think that album will never see the light of day, because why wouldn’t they save this track for that? It’s not bad at all.
“Cellz” The first third or so of this track contains a sample of Charles Bukowski reading “Dinosauria, We,” from the movie Bukowski: Born Into This. It concerns a post-apocalyptic/lawless society. Or, America this time next year. This beat, like most of Doom’s on this album, sounds like an Operation: Doomsday leftover.
“Still Dope” Featuring Atlanta-based Empress Stahhr Tha Femcee. She seems to fancy herself the female Doom, but Doom’s not on the track so I could take it or leave it.
“Microwave Mayo” Now we’re talking! Wait, I already said that. We’re still talking! Another Jake One scorcher. Why does Doom even bother producing for himself? A theory — he’s out of money since he doesn’t tour anymore. In fact, financial concerns are clearly on his mind throughout this album. “Him could squeeze blood from a penny in the recession.” Ha! Doom’s delivery kills on this. Maybe his being broke (if he’s actually broke) is the best thing that could happen to him, or us, if it makes him hungry.
“More Rhymin” This sounds freestyled. Nah, maybe not. Wait, did he just say, “When in Rome/Go back home/And get real dome/From a well-known crack gnome?” Daniel, I officially forgive you for everything.
“That’s That” He sings! And it’s not bad. Really. He should sing all of his choruses. That is, he should start having choruses, and then he should sing them.
“Supervillainz” This features Prince Paul and Posdnous, over auto-tune. (The latter calls himself P-Pain.) What other tricks does this track have up its sleeve? Slug! I guess it makes sense, what with the Rhymesayers connection and all. But this concept had so much more potential. Why not have, say, Ghost and Rae on this track? Why not a reunion with MF Grimm and Doom’s rightful heir Serengeti?
“Bumpy’s Message” An answering machine message from Bumpy Knuckles. Now this is literally phoned in.
“Thank Ya” You’re welcome!
Comments: Apparently there’s supposed to be a Thom Yorke remix of “Gazillion Ear” on here, but Rhapsody doesn’t have it. Sorry. In any case, this album is hot. If it weren’t for all the lackluster Metal Finger beats, I would rank it up there with Madvillainy and The Mouse and the Mask but it still sounds like a must-have, on first listen anyway.
Best Tracks: “Ballskin,” “Microwave Mayo,” “Gazillion Ear.”
March 25th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Sick review Ben…and I didn’t know the album was out yet.
Now I know…and knowing is half the battle like G.I. Joe
March 25th, 2009 at 11:48 am
who is mf doom? j dilla? and why is there a slug rapping on the album? i thought slugs couldn’t talk. nice knob slobbin though. tdb
March 25th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
this is a truly awful review. nobody listen to this guys ignorant judgments, stupid opinions, and for gods sake dont laugh at his lame jokes.
suck my balls!
March 25th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Good advice, Nathan, but late. Most people don’t read the comments until after they read the story. My only question is whom, exactly, you’re asking to suck your balls.
March 25th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
i’d be surprised if THIS album sells 9859 copies…
why did danger mouse waste any time with this clown?
March 31st, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I Agree with Nathan, this is a terribly written review. I don’t however want any dude to suck my balls, but i do however want to recommend that the author of the review, revise your style, its messy. I do however like that you write the review based literally on the first impression, clean it up though, and add a follow up that involves you re listening a few times and give your impressions then. And DOOM is Insane, for all of you who don’t know.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:02 am
this is worst review that ive read in quite some time…wow.