Albums by this artist

Vocal Studies and Uprock Narratives (2001)

Prefuse 73

Vocal Studies and Uprock Narratives

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» JOHN KNIGHT | STAFF WRITER

Prefuse 73 Vocal Studies and Uprock Narratives Warp, 2001 RiYL: Plaid, Timbaland, Oval, DJ Premier

Lots of today's (and yesterday's) forgettable records seem to fall into one of two categories: a wealth of style and nuance but very little tune or, conversely, a wealth of tune but a lack of style and nuance. Of course, there are the memorable records that fit in these categories, The Godz' Contact High With The Godz comes to mind for the former. It seems, though, that the most interesting and lasting records inhabit some sort of middle ground, treading both camps with equal footing.

Atlanta's Scott Herren has defined this middle ground under his latest moniker, Prefuse 73. Herren's previous full-length, under the guise of Savath and Savalas, was certainly well-executed from a mood-music standpoint, but ultimately proved to be more wallpaper material than term-paper material.

Vocal Studies And Uprock Narratives is quite a different story. Throughout the course of the record, Herren cuts, slices and pastes a selection of vocal tracks from a host of MCs and a certain Chicagoan into a sometimes truncated and rocky, but altogether seamless and flowing collage that calls to mind the everyday experience of sonic traffic -- voices, broadcasts, car horns, nature -- and the manner in which it all connects in our minds.

The album deconstructs and reconstructs hip-hop in the manner of Jim O'Rourke's Tortoise remixes or U.S. Maple's rock and roll experiments, isolating and exploiting structures and cliches in a way that ultimately shows us their true identity. In the end, though, it's Herren's ability to layer these nuances over a fertile field of beats that gives the record its staying power. Vocal Studies And Uprock Narratives will fit nicely alongside your Tribe records. Or if you prefer, your Oval records. It really makes no difference.

JOHN KNIGHT |