Dub Narcotic Sound System - Hand Clappin' EP
(K)
"Hand Clappin'" marks a new phase in the Dub Narcotic canon. For the first time, Calvin Johnson is playing guitar and Heather Dunn is singing. Brian Weber is gone, as are his raucous funk-guitar stylings. All of this adds up to some brilliance and some confusion. The brilliance is contained on the first (and title) track, which is carried along by an incredibly off-kilter bassline and backed by the always-inventive and precise Dunn on drums. Calvin's guitar is limited to a two-note minimal funk and a sly wah solo on the chorus. The focus is squarely on Calvin's rap, and his combination of flow and clever rhymes never ceases to amaze. If this had been a one-song single, it would have merited a 12/12 score. But the EP soldiers on into murkier, more schizophrenic territory.
"Petrolbuzz" is anchored by a formulaic walking bassline and highlighted by some synth buzzes and melodica. The song never really gets off the ground. It just drags on with no lyrics or anything to really grab one's attention. Worse yet, instead of doing nothing, "Sabley Goodness" actually annoys me. Dunn's faux-French vocals and Calvin's strange quasi-soloing, mixed with a bassline that has been uncomfortably forced to take the lead, gives this song an uncongealed and unpleasant feel. Dub Narcotic is a great party band with awesome grooves and an incredibly talented lead man. But the further they move from these strengths, the worse it gets. The last song on the EP, "Mega-Clash (Version)," is a step up from the previous two songs, but offers nothing to really sink one's teeth into. It's nice enough but doesn't approach the goodness of the lead track.
I think that this lineup of Dub Narcotic has some real potential. "Hand Clappin'" is a brilliant song, up there with anything in the Dub Narcotic back catalog. I just hope that they can build on their strengths instead of stretching themselves too thin.
I have to mention that Dub Narcotic was involved in a one-car accident on tour last week. They were all banged up pretty bad and had to spend some time in the hospital. These are some fine, fine people who need help defraying the cost of their hospital stay. If any of you are willing, please go to www.krecs.com and donate some money to the Dub Narcotic Fund. Thanks.
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