Customer Reviews

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've got all of Kid Koala's releases - and about 1500 other albums in almost every genre. In the two years I've had this disc, I've given it more plan than most anything else. It's witty, smart, and probably one of the most musical examples of turntablism you can find.

I really don't like to write Amazon reviews (personal reasons), but the reviews condemning the lack of song structure are pretty off-base. Case in point being the comparison with Shadow. Shadow is great and produces well-structured songs. Does that mean that one must emulate Shadow to be structured? Of course not. That's the beauty of this disc - it's really an expression of a unique artist who's not jumping any bandwagon where style's concerned. Some of the best funk is loose-limbed. Some of the best jazz is all about stretching-out. In fact, this album is more akin to jazz and funk records than modern hip-hop.

An interview with Del in the SF Bay Guardian hits the nail on the head. People don't give the Kid credit in part because he scratches in key. He likes to jam with other musicians and does so very well in Lovage, Deltron 3030, Bullfrog, etc.... His solo work gives free riegn to his unique turntable voice. In ten years, the artists who lack this sort of inventive musicianship will be in the bargain bin; and this record will be a touchstone.

[PS: the comic book liner notes are pretty funny, too.]

Kid Koala is one of the most expressive people I've ever heard on a turntable. He gets a phrase, a sound or a snippet and he's drawing that thing in directions you probably didn't think were possible. However, this is not your big brother's DJ record. This isn't like Mix Master Mike or DJ Qbert, wherein the DJ may find a beat or two to run through a song and then proceeds to scratch and drop lines and magic over the rhythm. This record is an exploration into sound itself, and Koala can't be bothered with trying to make you dance. He's about exploring what a turntablist can DO, beats be damned.

It's this kind of thing that garners him increible respct (mostly from his peers and fans of DJ-based music), but will likely turn off the passer-by looking for a good party record. Koala is the Ornette Coleman of DJs, bending sound for the purpose of showing you what he can do and what he has to say, not so you can get up and dance. Try and find a breakbeat on here at your own risk. If you want a record like that, stick with the Mix Master Mike classic "Anti-Theft Device", DJ Qbert's "Wave Twisters" (which actually falls somewhere between Mike and Koala) and DJ Logic if you can find it.

Is it better than... Mix Master Mike's "Anti Theft Deivce" - no Qbert's "Wave Twisters" - no DJ T-Rock "Who's Your Daddy?" - yes. Shiggar Friggar (pick your volume) - yes. Rob Swift "The Abilist" - yes, but Swift is more accessible The X-ecutioners - no.

For those doubters who mistakenly dub hip-hop as wannabe gansters rhyming over recycled beats... think again. True MC's and DJ's (Kid Koala) who understand that this genre of music is the most expressive and diverse to date keep raising the bar and effortlessly leaping over it. To the untrained ear, this album might not seem all that impressive, but to anyone who has ever tried to match or create their own beats, 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' becomes an instant DJ masterpiece. The samples, scratching, and humor on this album are top notch. Along with Mix Master Mike and DJ Qbert, Kid Koala makes up the nastiest click of DJ's in the world... hands down. While MC's (Masters of Crap) like Jay-Z and Puffy are collectively grabbing hip-hop by the throat and squeezing the life from it, Kid Koala should be considered a dose of pure oxygen. Long live underground hip-hop! (Check out 'Deltron 3030' if you like this album.)

A reviewer below me just mentioned Kid Koala live but I feel it is worthwhile to bring that back up in order to understand this special CD (Vinyl or whatever)from a truely gifted DJ. I saw him a couple of weeks ago and I tell you it was the BEST gig ever I'd been to. Almost everyone just stood there with their jaws dropped on the dancefloor and that is exactly the way this CD should be handled.

If you are looking for an up-tempo CD that you can dance to, don't buy this. This CD is like a comtemporary art exhibition--it's very different from other kinds of music I know--it (re)creates very very tense (live)atmosphere with raw fragments of various djing skills you can just imagine the guy (Eric San) scratching on your ceiling. (May be interesting to mix using this LP) Some might say the CD is too short (37 min?) but I think it's alright cos if it was longer it would have made me go insane. So here is my advice to enhance your listening experience with this CD:

1)Imagine, while listening, every move Eric makes with his two SL-1200s. This naturally stops you from wanting to dance(which is difficult).

2)Even better, go to his gigs and blow ya mind! (check out his website. . . for the latest tour dates--he was a very friendly guy and even gave me a Scratchratchatch tape). FINAL WARNING: First time I listen to this I thought the CD was awful. Give it a second chace. Also it's probable that you won't listen to this music that often but then how often do you go to an art exhibition?

I like this disk, it has it's own energy. And a mighty random one at that. Every song has it's own feel, for the most part. If you dig this one may I suggest "Some of my Best friends are DJ's". Another great Kid Koala disk.

Kid Koala from Montreal Canada has skillz that only other turntablists can only dream about...This debut ablum is refreshing & a VERY funny display of turntablism/music.This short album (38 min) really proves how entertaining & how much of an artform this type of music can be... Although this album(turntablism in general) isn't a big hit with people looking for simplistic-beat-driven songs where there is a beat & then some simple scratch-phrases on top. Kid Koala isn't here to provide melodic-musical beats like other TripHop artists; he is hear to show the world what can be achieved with records/samples/frequency/tone & plenty of imagination...And even though you may not be able to listen to this record over & over, it still proves how magical & entertaining TripHop & turntablism can be ! very entertaining at the very least...a must have for anyone into experimental beats with a comedic edge...

Kid Koala definitely has the sense of humor and playfulness that we've all heard about. Pac-Man instructions, drivign tips, Winnie-the-Pooh, a man talking to houseplants, etc., are all crammed into this disc and rearranged into something completely new. More proof that sampling can be art, as if more proof was needed.

...However, oftentimes Kid Koala seems so obsessed with his playfulness or his undeniable talent that the song never coalesces into anything coherent. It may be impressive that he can scratch so well, but too often it overshadows any music going on. Compare this to DJ Shadow's mind-blowing "Endtroducing...", which never let technical skills get in the way of a great song. This obsession with showing off instrumental prowess is what annoys me with jam bands - I expect more from a DJ.

Overall, it's not bad at all, but it's not great. If Kid Koala ever keeps the sense of humor but visits a lot of clubs, he'll slay us all one day. In the meantime, "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" is hit-and-miss.

DJ Kid Koala is probably one of the better DJs today, in standards of both technique and creativity.
His skill allows him to take basically every quote he would like and to mix it into the flow. Texts and sounds as one, he manages to make it appear like a new, whole piece - which is exactly what a true DJ supposed to do.

By Redefining the art of turntables, he has in this specific album all that's needed - a bit of dark tracks, a bit of laughable samples; and all in all, if you like the genre, this album is a must.

Kid Koala, who is also a member of the band Bullfrog, is simply one of the most creative DJs spinning today. This is an esoteric little record, for those of us who can appreciate the nuances of the turntables. The record is a slew of inside jokes and innuendos. Regardless, it really is a fun listen for just about anyone, but especially geeks of all ilk.

But beware, this is bad background music. If you're looking for some DJ music that you can put on and ignore move on to something else, something by Amon Tobin perhaps, because the beats and sample on this record grab the attention and need to be listened to carefully to be appreciated.

Those who are not willing to appreciate music for what it really is will probably think this album is "boring." I would say, you must be able to comprehend turntablism culture in a good sense to dig this. With that said..

I have been waiting for Kid Koala's release, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, for quite some time. And, to sort of make this story short, the wait was well worth it.

Kid's sampling was definitely one of his major strengths throughout this album. It kept my interest in the music. His scratching and choice of beats were also captivating. He has a way of putting together music that makes you go, "Whoa! What the! "

I will admit that I was sort of confused by the album the first time around, but once I gave it a 2nd listen.. it's all gravy baby. The only real complaint I have is that it is unusually short! Just under 38 minutes of playtime.. and that's short for Ninja Tune material!

Also, there's a neat game on the CD you can play, and the CD booklet contains a comic strip illustrated by Kid Koala himself. Very cool, and funny. Into Ninja Tune, turntablism, experimental and/or good music! Get this!