Customer Reviews

K-Minus Initiative

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Commodore-64 is the best thing to come out of hip-hop since... Well, ever. They are almost a Beastie clone, but better. C-64's rhymes are fresh, clean and, most importantly, creative. I mean, music created on an iMac is already ill. Good work guys, keep it coming.

I dont think anyone really gives these guys the respect they deserve, as probably one of their only U.K fans I'm fed up of people comparing them to the beastie boys. This to any band is an honour I know, but its almost as if they are living in the shadow of Adrock, Mike D, and MCA. Commodore have such a new and open minded view and attitude to the hip hop indsustry, that any and every fan will appreciate.

Their devotion to the world of internet music is extremely beneficial to the fans outside the U.S. The album itself is like a fresh breeze. The tuneful baselines on songs like "horton hears a ho" and "sissy mc's", the playful lyrics about fast food and holidays are a like a release from the depressing reality of the 'gangster' dominated "hip hop music".

K-Minus is a 'must buy' for anyone remotely interested in commodore, it gives a good insight into the views and personalities of each member and comes together as a record brilliantly. Varied tracks such as "fruit salad" are diverse yet sublime. The elusive DJ Goodbeats also lives up to all expectations on this album and helps the record come together as a whole. Its albums like these that make hip hop worth listening to.

i listen to a whole lot of music, old skool hip hop underground hip hop punk blues etc. etc. in terms of hip hop this stuff is terrible, but theres something i cant quite place my finger on that makes it brilliant, the beats are well put together and sound alot different to the usual hip hop beats, there rhymes are funny, and best of all they dont take themselves serioulsy like alot of hip hop acts, they know they suck, you know they suck but once you look past that, you can start to really enjoy them, im hooked, why arent you?

Commodore 64, throw in a fresh new sound to the ever evovling world of hip hop, their crazy songs are definitely worth the listen. songs like "Straight out of CompUSA" make parody of all the played out gangster rappers of today, and shows their immense creative talent along with their definitely brilliant lighter side.

Being the first dissenting voice around here, I am sure to get ZERO helpful points, but hey, I ain't reviewing this for popularity, so let me forge on ahead:

I guess I just don't get it. Maybe I missed the punch line. No, that couldn't be it; I have a pretty good sense of humor. And an open mind. I listen to everything from The Pixies to Pizzicato 5, from The Smiths to St. Germain, but first and foremost I am a follower and devotee of Hip-Hop and its Elements. And C64 falls VERY short in its outsiders < i.e. SUBURBAN > take on Hip-Hop. They're rhyme schemes are laughable, and they're delivery is wack. One supposes that it might be intentional; that they're style is supposed to be ironic and highbrow. But for all its apparent cleverness, it falls short, and flat on its face. And speaking of flat, even their beats, which I hoped would be as good as the reviews say, are weak and tepid. Minimalism has its place, but when wasted on uninspired ciphers ( and yes, I do realize that these guys know that they aren't the best lyricists in the world ), it makes for a very faulty product. And for those looking for an alternative to the stale world of gangsta/bling/alize commercial rap of today, there is a myriad selection of music in the thriving Underground to choose from. Want some abstract delivery with fresh jazzy beats? There's Quasimoto. Want unique and creative samples with incredible ciphers? Pick up some Mudkids. Clever lyrics with fresh sounds? Try some Foreign Legion ( funny, Prozac from FL does a cameo in Putney Swipe, or at least I think that's him ). Good musicianship? What about The Roots or England's The Herbalizer. Consciousness? Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Gangstarr, De La Soul etc. With all this music to listen to, one wonders if those that are down with C64 actually listen to Hip-Hop music ( and not just The Beastie Boys and Beck ). To paraphrase Lauryn Hill, alternative rap in ghetto terms means no skill, and that pretty much summarizes C64; obscurity disguised as "underground", novelty instead of talent.

If anyone should disagree with any of the above, I welcome any and all intelligent rebuttals. Just E-mail me. Oh yeah, first look up William "Upski" Wimsatt's article
"WE USE THE WORDS MACKADOCIOUS" first. Thanks for hearing me out .

I found this on Napster back in the day. Was pleasantly surprised to find it for sale almost a decade later. This sale is a direct result of P2P sharing.

AND I like their music.

A tounge-in-cheek trio of white rappers/DJ coming from the Beasties tip. Amusing samples n beats, inept beat-boxing and extremely funny but very competent rhymes. The only comparision I can think of off the top of me head is the recent EP from MC Paul Barman (I believe there may be a connection here somewhere). Highly recommended for anyone who likes their rap with a sense of humour

Six months ago, I paid $35 for a German bootleg of their '98 EP "Kissing a Squirrel". The four tracks were not nearly as polished as those found here but they had the same unique flavor. This album takes it to a whole new level. Its like a cross between old school Beastie Boys and Paul Simon's Graceland. The string arrangements on "Straight Out of CompUSA" alone are worth the price of the album. I can't wait to see these dudes live!

This CD is one of the coolest pieces of work I have heard for a long time. These guys sound like the Beasties vocally and have the lo-fi musical tendenceies displayed by Beck et al. Take this and throw in an obvious knowledge of hip-hop and old school electro and you end up with a band who for all the comparisons that can be made to their peers and influences, are like a breath of fresh aural air. The rhymes are funny but tight with the MC's bouncing off each other with ease, and they never sound corny, even in such cynical skits as "Straight Out Of CompUSA" . I really appreciate what these guys have done here and think for their endeavours they deserve every success possible. Buy it and fund them!

Oh,....and top respect to ANYONE who uses the C64 voice emulator in any of their tunes :-)

A very raw, fun sound, reminiscent of early Beastie Boys, but they definitely put their own twist on it.