Release Date: September 7, 2011
The new album from hip-hop producer and filmmaker L.W. Hodge (of the Oakland collective Green Ova Undergrounds) begins with Max von Sydow’s narration from Lars von Trier’s 1990 film Europa, an expressionistic and politically amorphous movie that doesn’t have much to say about the state of pop music. Needless to say, the sample stands out as incongruous as the rest of the album unfolds.
L.W.H. might be a cinephile, but von Sydow isn’t all that hip-hop. As his brooding voice begins to count down the beginning of the album, it’s uncertain in what kind of direction The Tape Hiss Hooligan is going.
But before long, the first proper track, “Bobblehead,” featuring rappers Main Attrakionz, is a synthed-out, indie-rap jam, with L.W.H. taking cues from the likes of Flying Lotus and Madlib to craft a spacey beat. For the first time, the producer is making clear his intentions: left-of-center hip-hop, fitted with obscure and often unnecessary references, that results in album that varies in listenability.
The production style on The Tape Hiss Hooligan largely is a mixture of sonic components, with L.W.H. democratically ensuring each sound is given its due diligence. It works best on tracks such as “Oakland State of Mind,” which incorporates a straightforward but effective drum pattern and gingerly used woodwinds. Green Ova Undergrounds MC Squadda B handles the vocals, riding the languid beat with an effortless dexterity.
The rappers that compose Green Ova Undergrounds are far less subdued than their hyphy peers. With a larger focus on lyrics and cadence as opposed to swagger and presence, rappers such as Western Tink, Mondre M.A.N. and Shady Blaze all posses admirable skills (and are each featured on the albums lead single, “Bitin’ and Shakin’”).
As a duo, Mondre M.A.N. and Squadda B make up the duo Main Attrakionz, and together, they make for some of The Tape Hiss Hooligan’s best moments. Not only do they accompany von Sydow on his running commentary, but also on tracks such as “Surround Pound” and “All In Your Hands.” Their vivacious personalities and skills on the mic make already entertaining tracks even better.
As skilled as his collaborators are, L.W.H.’s production still leaves a little to be desired. As a purveyor of the rising “cloud rap” sound—which usually is seen as a leisurely, lo-fi version of the form—too many of his tracks are simply uninteresting.
“Mondo Bizness,” for instance, with its rolling snares and lack of bass sounds hollow and unfinished, while Mondre M.A.N., a charismatic MC who shines on other tracks, sounds lazy on the mic, devoid of direction or purpose.
Even when he pairs up with Squadda B for Main Attrakionz, they can’t save “Zoney’s Island,” a song with a quasi-Eastern influence with what sounds like a sample from Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” The track would benefit from some added muscle. Considering L.W.H.’s ability to marry a number of seemingly incompatible sounds on a single track, it doesn’t seem like such a thing is beyond his capabilities.
Chock it up to inexperience or simply staying a little too committed to an aesthetic—either way, L.W.H. can’t avoid stepping on his own toes. But the bright spots on The Tape Hiss Hooligan are indicative of a burgeoning style that, once harnessed, could garner much acclaim for the up-and-coming Green Ova Undergrounds.
L.W.H. – The Tape Hiss Hooligan tracklist:
- “At the Count of Ten” (featuring Max von Sydow, Main Attrakionz and Shady Blaze)
- “Bobblehead” (featuring Main Attrakionz)
- “Bitin’ and Shakin'” (featuring Western Tink, Mondre M.A.N. and Shady Blaze)
- “Sound Uv Murda” (featuring Shady Blaze)
- “On My Shit” (featuring Shady Blaze and Western Tink)
- “I’m on One Pt. II” (featuring Main Attrakionz and Max von Sydow)
- “Just a Thought” (featuring Western Tink)
- “Spinning 87” (featuring Squadda B, Western Tink and Astronomy)
- “All in Your Hands” (featuring Main Attrakionz, Shady Blaze and Friendzone)
- “A Place Far Away”
- “Mondo Bizness” (featuring Mondre M.A.N.)
- “Zoney’s Island” (featuring Main Attrakionz and Shady Blaze)
- “Surround Pound” (featuring Main Attrakionz)
- “Oakland State of Mind” (featuring Squadda B)
- “Eternal Mono” (featuring Main Attrakionz and Max von Sydow)
