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 10/2007

    AESOP ROCK
    None Shall Pass

  • reviewed 12/2012

    NATIVE SIGNAL
    Dancing in Wildfire

  • reviewed 02/2005

    Bettie Serveert
    Attagirl

  • reviewed 03/2009

    Oren LaVie
    The Opposite Side of the Sea

  • reviewed 11/2016

    Blue Healer
    Blue Healer

  • reviewed 04/2009

    PAPERCUTS
    You Can Have What You Want

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.