SPEECH

The Vagabond

2006-02-20

The founder and frontman of early 90’s bohemian alt- hip hop group Arrested Development returns with his fifth solo offering. Some very good tracks that recall AD at their socially relevant and earthily trippy best, as well as some interesting Motown and soul flavors are the high points of this record, with some underwhelming ballads and a superfluous Beatles cover being the low points. A breakdown: Arrested Development style folky, bluesy hip hop: #1,2,5,7,13 Smooth, sexy soul a’la Isley Bros. etc. : #3,4,10 Instrumental funk/soul jam: #12 Straight southern funky hip hop (as the kids say, “Crunk”) # 6, 8 # 9 is a moderately humorous minute long “skit” and #11 is a mediocre version of this Lennon/McCartney classic. (Rufus Wain- wright and Fiona Apple, among others, have done it much better) A good add for fans of Spearhead and the like. Enjoy! -Calin

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 01/2010

    SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS
    Prince of Peace EP

  • reviewed 09/2008

    THE BROKEN WEST
    Now or Heaven

  • reviewed 10/2013

    FAREWELL MILWAUKEE
    Can't Please You, Can't Please Me

  • reviewed 03/2007

    Andrew Bird
    Armchair Apocrypha

  • reviewed 04/2011

    K.D. LAND AND THE SISS BOOM BANG
    SING IT LOUD

  • reviewed 07/2017

    The Deadmen
    The Deadmen

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.