Hard Normal Daddy [Original recording reissued]

Squarepusher | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 27, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Warp Records
• ASIN: B00005T7KC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,321 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #19 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > IDM
  • #82 in Music > Dance & DJ > Drum & Bass

Track Listings

1. Coopers World

2. Beep Street

3. Rustic Raver

4. Anirog Da

5. Chin Hippy

6. Papalon

7. Ez Boogie

8. Fat Controller

9. Vic Acid

10. Male Pill, Pt. 13

11. Fat F's and V's

12. Rebus

Editorial Reviews

1997 album by the techo drum 'n' bass act for the Warp label. 12 tracks, including the single 'Vic Acid'. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars most approachable, November 15, 2003

By 

Undefinition (Glen Ellyn, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hard Normal Daddy (Audio CD)

I thought I knew a thing or two about drum & bass until I was introduced to the tune "Beep Street." That song was my first taste of Tom Jenkinson, and I haven't been the same since. While I own almost all the Squarepusher albums, I'd have to say that this one is the easiest to digest. Where on some albums, Jenkinson can go off the deep end with music concrete that could make John Cage say, "I've had enough," this album shows him using his talents to give props to the jazz and fusion community. The results are wickedly ingenuitive, intelligent songs that can be understood in jazzy musical contexts (and actually groovy and catchy). Fans of--or creators of--music like Weather Report, Yellowjackets, even Chick Corea should definitely do themselves a favor and hear fusion for the digital age.

I don't know what to say about the dance aspect of this music. In Chicago, I will never see people dancing to stuff like this; if, however, in other places in the world people have a more open mind as to what has a groove, then more power to them. (Actually, in Chicago, I have never met a person who owns this album. Remind me to go to all the jazzers I went to college with and shove this album down their throats.)

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The current Squarepusher champion, October 7, 2003

By 

eightpointagenda "Sean" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hard Normal Daddy (Audio CD)

Strangely, Hard Normal Daddy is probably Squarepusher's best album not because of what its got, but what its lacking. For probably the first and only time in his entire career, Hard Normal Daddy actually shows signs of restraint and actual consideration to composition and songs. This is not to take away from the stunning brilliance of the jazz indulgent Music Is Rotted One Note or the boarderline pyschotic sounds of Go Plastic. But when you strip him of his little mindsex gimicks, Jenkinson really does show of that not only does he have a knack for writting songs but writting really good ones too.

Like a more focused Feed Me Weird Things, Hard Normal Daddy runs the gamut of musical sounds and influences as he shows of that he loves old dub and electro as much as he loves the sound of his own drum programing. First thing that should be noticed by all is that most of the rough production edges of Feed Me Weird Things are gone. Replacing them are much crisper, fuller, and far more smoother sounds and melodies then before. Secondly, his blow your mind and ears frantic drum programing is actually toned down a bit. Sure its jawdroppingly fast and complex, but it doesn't go overboard which some of the tracks on Weird Things had.

The biggest shocker of all on Hard Normal Daddy is the suprising amount of melody and hooks found on the album. There are a suprisingly large amount of catchy tunes that lay ontop of the drum programing and hyperspeed bassplaying that actually make Hard Normal Daddy a blast to listen to. Even on some of the hardcore drum n' bass tracks(some of the shorter of the rank as some of my favorite Squarepusher tracks) are still melodically packed and fun to listen to. The whole CD finally displays some consistancy from a man who normal has one or two stinkers(if not more) per album. For all the characteristics normally present in a Squarepusher album, HND is surpisingly lacking in them, for better or worse.

Still I can see why Jenkinson started pushing his music in a different direction. With Hard Normal Daddy he really did push his evolution into a corner that would require something of a radical change to keep from stagnation. Whether that change is jazz fusion or a turn towards LFO inspired drill n' bass, Hard Normal Daddy will always represent a high point for Squarepusher's career and a highlight in the drum n' bass comunity. It doesn't define the genre like Roni Size's New Forms or Goldie's Timeless, but its still an exceptional work and probably his best yet.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, September 3, 2004

By 

Ryan P (Somerville, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hard Normal Daddy (Audio CD)

I just bought this album a few days ago, but I wish I would have bought it a lot sooner. This is definately one of the best CD's I own. Squarepusher is amazing. His use of syncopated rhythms, fast drums, electric bass (which he plays himself) is superb. Most tracks are very Jazz influenced, and very intersting. It almost seems as if a live band is playing the whole time. Highly Recommended.