Customer Reviews

Brookland/Oaklyn

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alias and Tarsier, their worlds being separated by 3000+ miles. Only meeting face-to-face 21 months into this project. An album almost entirely done through e-mail, this is a reason by itself that you must buy this album. I am not going to run the play-by-play but this album is full of high points, the only low point of the album is that it ends (I know, I know it's heartbreaking). Highest Point: Song three "Last Nail" has to be the best song on the album, due to the fact that Alias proves that he still has the vocal ablilty to rip the mic like no other. On top of that Tarsiers' unique, and beautiful voice accents the production of Alias and vice-versa. With the help from other Anticon artists Telephone Jim Jesus, Doseone, and Dax Pierson this album tops out at being a must-have for anyones cd collection. Support the underground hip hop scene, Anticon, and support DAX PIERSON of Subtle and Themselves. I think Doseone said it best in Luck and Fear "wishbone thrown between the wreck, of when your tour van and ice met." In my opinion five stars does not do this album justice. Peace

Caution! This album is for people who like underground hip-hop and trip hop. There is no talk about guns, killing, drug dealing, bling-bling, or anything else that commercial rap artists like to reference. You have been warned!

Brookland/Oaklyn is in no small measure one of the highlights of 2006. The shear beauty of this album is difficult to convey...it is absolutely brilliant and replete with some of the finest production to come from Alias, in my opinion. "One Last Nail" is most certainly his anticipated call-to-arms on the mic, and he comes through with his trademark staccato flow and introverted rhymes that pertain to his unrecoverable lost adolescent days that were stymied by his bi-polar disorder.
Tel Jim Jesus provides some help behind the boards, while Dose One pops up for a track as well ("Luck and Fear", which contrasts with the bulk of the material on the album, but is strong nevertheless).

Tarsier's voice is so hauntingly beautiful as it weaves in and out of the songs, and her stream-of-consciousness lyrics are very inspired and keep Brookland/Oaklyn upbeat. She is a rare commodity in the electro genre. Songs such as "Plane That Draws a White Line" and "Cub" are melancholic , yet very optimistic. "DR C" is my favourite track, for it showcases the chemistry that Alias and Tarsier have overall, and is very excellent. As the reviewer below me states, the worst part of the LP is that it ends.

this album is absolutely beautiful. for those familiar with alias' beats, this album follows the paradigm of "muted" which is actually the album that inspired tarsier to track down alias in the first place via email. his beats are moody, dark, romantic but not altogether "down-tempo." they have a driving quality that makes them far from sleepy and his timing perfectly caters to tarsier's vocals, which by the way are some of the most beautiful and haunting since beth from portishead. she will also likely draw comparisons to bjork but her stuff is way more grounded in pure soul and less elfish/icelandic. one of the best qualities of this album is that it transcends all genres and will be enjoyed by hip-hop head, emo-wuss, computer nerd and rocker (post binge) alike. i saw these guys live recently and aside from telling tarsier i loved her all i could muster was "please do another album."

Post-Postal Service, albums made via email are becoming increasingly common. This album is one such collaboration between Brendon "Alias" Whitney of Oakland indie hip hop crew Anticon and Rona "Tarsier" Rapadas of Brooklyn folktronica duo Healamonster & Tarsier. The result is very much these vibes put together. Alias provides the production, and his beats, guitars, and ambient synths have a strong IDM influence. Rona's voice is gorgeous and somewhat reminiscent of Bjork, but is often buried under tons of reverb, like if the Cocteau Twins made hip hop. Occasionally, Alias jumps in and raps, and the juxtaposition of rough and smooth can be jarring. While the album doesn't reach the emotional depths it aspires to, the production is deep and the songs are pleasant.