Why - Oaklandazulasylum

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 6 / 12 / 2003

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Review

One of the brightest hopes in US pop music; Why? has few contemporaries. On the supposedly avant hiphop Anticon label, Why? crosses borders- the blueprint for a Why? song is built from slices of rap, layers of psychedelic folk and patterns from house. Why? is slow like a turtle, with a swiftly turning head though sticking out for genuine surprises. Expect a little banjo twang to add to the Why? confusion and as corny as it may seem, the young dude(s?) dig up a nice mess from America's music museum. To the full exploit, Why? make sampler pop music but the Why? touch differs from most since the sampler decides the rhythm ànd the rhyme. Alternatively and simultaneously, so you'll never be sure what came from which 'source'. 'Oaklandazulasylum' is archaic fun without false sentiments and displays brainy humour. Most tracks feature suburban contemplations on a young man's life and whilst dragging through twenty something angst, Why? serves as a refreshment in its own merits. Why? has already developed method. Means can only better. A&R consulants draw your chequebooks and Why? will waste you as you have never experienced before. Perhaps.

Track Listing:-

1 Ferriswheel
2 Cold Lunch (Albert Brown Mortuary Dumpster Dive Remix)
3 Afterschool America
4 Our Neighbor's Daughter
5 A Little Titanic
6 Weak Moon
7 Early Whitney
8 Dream on Cortelyou
9 Women Eye, No
10 Dirty Glass
11 Shirtless, Sheetless, And
12 Bad Entropy
13 Seventeen
14 Ape in Cage With Wire Cutters