A Badly Broken Code

Dessa | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 9, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Doomtree Records
• ASIN: B0033BJSM4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,418 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dessa is a fluent lyricist. . . she recalls an old-fashioned high-quality singer-songwriter like Joni Mitchell or Rosanne Cash. --Robert Christgau, NPR

Product Description

Wry, literary lyrics over beats from Doomtree's all-star team of producers. The fifteen songs emphasize Dessa's wingspan as a singer, rapper, and lyricist - the tracks range from melancholy a cappella arrangements to vintage torch songs to infectious rap cuts. Featuring Grammy-nominated Matthew Santos and Jessy Greene, violinist for the Foo Fighters. Production from Lazerbeak, Paper Tiger, MK Larada, Cecil Otter, and Big Jess. Upon initial release this disc peaked at #6 on iTunes rap charts; #2 on CMJ rap charts; and charted in Billboard in R&B, New Artists, and Independent Label releases. Dessa toured with the Doomtree crew in 2010 and will be headlining a 2011 West Coast tour. The album art for A Badly Broken Code was designed by Doomtree's MK Larada.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wings,Teeth and Depth., January 20, 2010

By 

Ralph Perez (Pittsburgh, Pa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Badly Broken Code [Explicit] (MP3 Download)

Dessa(Darling) from Doomtree is not your average Female MC/Singer/Poet, although on paper it would seem like she sounds like every A typical woman releasing music in the hip-hop world today. As a member of the midwest power house crew DOOMTREE, Dessa stands out amongst carasmatic crew members like POS, Mike Mictlan and Cecil Otter, and not just because shes the sole female of the bunch. Aggresive, yet calculated and controled, Dessa made her power and pressence known on crew releases (False Hopes 12 "Flex", Doomtree official group album "the wren", "dots & dashes", and from POS's Never Better "Low life, low lights"). Now with her official debut solo album "A Badly Broken Code" finally out, Dessa is ready to really make her pressence felt, seen and heard. Doomtree out did themselves in the packaging (MK LARADA did the layout) and the production is flawless thanks to a bulk of the work done by Paper Tiger and MK Larada, with help from Lazerbeak, Big Jess and Dessa herself. The record starts out with a peek into Dessas life growing up as "Childrens Work" is deep and thoughtfull, yet haunting as dessa recalls her mother worrying about "...what she did, to raise such a serious kid". Nothing is purposeless or without meaning when Dessa does it, as every nuance and lyric is heavy with thought, love, pain,hurt and introspection. With stand out tracks like "Seamstress", "Matches to paper dolls" and the favorite "The Chaconne" which features Matthew Santos (known for Lupe Fiascos "Superstar"). "The Chaconne" is beatifully haunting and hypnotizing, and deserves every bit of praise it is getting. The year is new and fresh, but after this release, The year belongs to Dessa and Doomtree. If you dont have it, get it at [...], and while your there pick up everything else they've ever put out if you dont have it. Wings&Teeth.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not your usual hip hop fan~, February 13, 2010

By 

Hanna (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Badly Broken Code (Audio CD)

I didn't even know this was classified as hip hop--I heard Children's Work on the radio and thought, "I have to get that." Ordered it having only heard that one song, and I love the whole thing. She reminds me of Ani a bit, so if you like Ani you would probably like this. Try it even if you aren't sure you'd like hip hop!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dessa's year, January 25, 2010

By 

Brian Hill "Life is good" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Badly Broken Code [Explicit] (MP3 Download)

Doomtree deserves your respect, although they will never ask you for it. They will earn it kindly. In 2009 P.O.S exploded and now Dessa has followed with a triumphant release worth attention. As a crew Doomtree offers something for all and Dessa is the most accessible and arguably the most talented member which is why people who know about Doomtree have been excited for this record for a long time. Give it a listen and get hooked. Support your local artists!