| | | | |  | | | |
| | | |  Amazon.com:
English outfit the Herbaliser take their sophomore LP, Blow Your Headphones, into cinematic territory, creating an imaginary soundtrack (complete with opening and ending credits, a theme song, and an intermission) to a cheekily British dark comedy with their hip-hop-oriented take on jazz, easy listening, and suspense music. DJ Ollie Teeba serves as a conductor of sorts for the band; his featured takes, such as "Intermission," "Shocker Zulu," and "More Styles," wield deft cuts and scratches on his turntable as a constant reminder that the band's soul is firmly rooted in an underground hip-hop perspective. Unlike much of American hip-hop, which tends to be MC-driven, the Herbaliser's strength does not hinge on lyrics, though vocal tracks like "New + Improved" (featuring the stunning verbals of female MC What What of Natural Resource) and "Saturday Night" (with British rappers Fabian and Big Ted) are just as solid. A beacon in illuminating the U.K. hip-hop sensibility to the global community. --Tamara Palmer | | | | |
Average Rating : 
Rating :  - Yes....'Blow's Your Headphones' indeed!!!
The Herbaliser certainly knows how to throw down a Hip-hop or two, and this his second studio album (along with "Something wicked this way comes) is by far his most accomplished work. Although far more of an instrumental album than "Something wicked this...", it's a undeniably a far more kaleidoscopic affair, with the few vocals tracks that are in this album, sitting very comfortably with the Stoner grooves scattered throughout the album. In fact it feels part `Kruder & Dorfmeister', part Dj Shadow, and as highly gifted as both.....The Herbaliser keeps the listener completely on his/her toes by throwing innovative sampling and rough & ready beat heavy jazz tracks in amongst the cut & paste Hip-Hop tracks. In fact it's been constructed in along the lines of a scripted television show, with an introduction, intermission (which are so fantastic....that to not expand it into a fully fledged track seems like something of an oversight), as well as end credits. This album due to its emphasis more on non-vocal tracks, is possibly slightly more suited to enthusiasts, rather than casual listeners (not that casual listeners wouldn't get superb mileage out of it), but it all adds up to become recognised as amongst the very best of the constantly growing Ninja Tune catalogue, that deserves investigation for people curious to seek out artists that are pushing the Hip-Hop envelope and an essential purchase for Ninja Tune fans.
 | |
