Tricky
Maxinquaye
»
|
Tricky
Maxinquaye
Island, 1995
RiYL: Portishead, Massive Attack, Bjork |
Tricky's voice is case in point -- a rare instrument of its own. He doesn't sing, per se. It's more like a combination of guttural mutterings and stream-of-conscious rapping. Tricky is a trip, his lyrics a play on rap conventions and listener expectations.
"Fuck you in, tuck you in, suck you," he whispers with a seductive smile in "Abbaon Fat Tracks." With a smoothed-out rhythm behind him, he seduces you before scaring the shit out of you: "I fuck you in the ass / just to get a laugh."
Ha, ha?
His sense of humor may not resonate with every listener, but his delivery is totally addictive. Few can help but enjoy Tricky's devilish confidence. He knows he's got us in the ass. And sadly, we kind of like it.
Luckily, sexy singing isn't his only trick.
Each song on Maxinquaye has its own distinct feel, from the sexual overtones of "Ponderosa" to the head-bobbing funk of "Aftermath." They are tremendously dense, filled with random instruments, electronica gimmickry and production effects galore.
If you're just interested in sampling, you can feast your ears on a bizarre palette of references. A line from Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" and a the toot of Warner Bros. Road Runner crop up in "Aftermath." The synth line of Michael Jackson's "Bad" moves quietly beneath the raging techo-laced "Brand New You're Retro." Portishead's Dummy is all over the album. And Chuck D's lyrics grace the Public Enemy tribute "Black Steel."
"Pumpkin" is a perfectly developed piece, layered with a drum loop taken from the beat in the Smashing Pumpkins' "Suffer." Martina Topley-Bird's sultry voice blends in with a soft organ glow. Chimes enter quietly, followed by a second drum loop. The song builds to a Billy Corgan guitar riff (taken from the same song) and gentle scratching before Tricky drops in his compelling rap solo.
He's the dark answer to Portishead and a middle finger in the face of those who thought he couldn't do better (ie.: fellow Massive Attack band mates.) Tricky is out alone for the first time on Maxinquaye and it shows in the best of ways.
BEN FRENCH | Ben founded NATN in the winter of 1998-1999 with fellow IU alums Troy Carpenter and Jonathan Cohen. During the day time, he's working for Nielsen Business Media, publisher of Billboard. Ben's favorite acts include Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Sonic Youth, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys.