Customer Reviews

Okeeblow

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The talent the Beastie Boys scout for their record label typically matches their own musical tastes -- and Scapegoat Wax is one of their noteworthy finds. Fresh from Chico's house-party circuit, Wax's Marty James has cultivated an album of diverse styles. On Okeeblow, co-produced with Beasties collaborator Mario Caldato, Jr., James can hop-scotch from rap to hip-hop to '70s funk with admirable agility. "Freeway" is a D'Angelo-style R&B soul track, complete with falsetto harmonies; "Crawling" is an acoustic guitar-driven ballad along the lines of Incubus' "Drive." Despite the requisite scratching and genre-bending, Okeeblow doesn't sound sample-heavy. When he raps on "Evelyn" and "Almost Fine," James fits in with progressive rappers like Outkast and the Roots, who tend to avoid samples in favor of live instrumentation. However, both "Crawling" and "Space to Share" -- while demonstrating James' ability to write and perform well in different genres -- fail to mesh with the otherwise seamless hip-hop-DJ vibe. Lyrically and stylistically, Scapegoat Wax best relates to artists like Beck and the Beastie Boys, wacky alchemists who successfully transcend musical boundaries.

Awesome album, everyone! Scapegoat Wax Okeeblow (Grand Royal) Goes well with: The Roots, Everlast, Beck's Midnite Vultures The talent the Beastie Boys scout for their record label typically matches their own musical tastes -- and Scapegoat Wax is one of their noteworthy finds. Fresh from Chico's house-party circuit, Wax's Marty James has cultivated an album of diverse styles. On Okeeblow, co-produced with Beasties collaborator Mario Caldato, Jr., James can hop-scotch from rap to hip-hop to '70s funk with admirable agility. "Freeway" is a D'Angelo-style R&B soul track, complete with falsetto harmonies; "Crawling" is an acoustic guitar-driven ballad along the lines of Incubus' "Drive." Despite the requisite scratching and genre-bending, Okeeblow doesn't sound sample-heavy. When he raps on "Evelyn" and "Almost Fine," James fits in with progressive rappers like Outkast and the Roots, who tend to avoid samples in favor of live instrumentation. However, both "Crawling" and "Space to Share" -- while demonstrating James' ability to write and perform well in different genres -- fail to mesh with the otherwise seamless hip-hop-DJ vibe. Lyrically and stylistically, Scapegoat Wax best relates to artists like Beck and the Beastie Boys, wacky alchemists who successfully transcend musical boundaries.

How can I even start to explain how brilliant this record is? I got it a few weeks ago, along with several punk/emo cd's, and this is the one I've been listening to the most. It's fun, it's intriguing, it's thought-provoking, and it's perfect. Marty James has the freshest sound to come out in a long time, mixing a variety of styles to produce the next level of hip-hop. This CD isn't about rapping or rhyming, although he can do both with ease. It's about production. There are plenty of layers to be heard, including an amalgam of live instruments and preset loops.

Who should buy this cd? Anyone who appreciates music. Scapegoat Wax has such a universal feel, that I'm pretty sure I could go song by song and say, "Oh this sounds like so-and-so," yet every track belongs with each other, completing a sequence of emotions and attitudes. Thanks to Scapegoat Wax, I have a renewed faith in hip-hop's ability to reinvent itself. Or maybe I should say Marty James' ability to reinvent music.

I haven't bought an album of new music which I like every song on for years but every song on this album I'm going to listen to again and again till my CD player gives up. The chorus for Aisle 10 will crawl inside your head and never leave. All the tracks are excellent (and well produced; I noticed the Beastie Boys producer on a few cuts) but when you listen to the lyrics you realise this isn't some big headed pop star but an ordinary guy from a small town (Chico, California) talking about his own life with humor and humility. Imagine that, hip-hop without the bloated ego. I never liked hip-hop and my housemate never listens to anything but hip-hop. We both love Okeeblow. Marty James is the real thing without the real EGO. I recomend this album to everyone.

Scapegoat wax's approach to hip-hop/motown/ska is really creative. He's one of those musicians where you can't classify him, but he's just out on his own. Okeeblow goes from the rap induced "star 6", to the hit single "aisle 10(hello allison)",and continues with hit after hit, I've never pressed the skip button once throughout this CD. This music is great driving music, lounging music, party music, it's everything, it's so fresh and creative. BUY IT! It's the best purchase you'll make!

Scapegoat Wax Okeeblow (Grand Royal) Goes well with: The Roots, Everlast, Beck's Midnite Vultures The talent the Beastie Boys scout for their record label typically matches their own musical tastes -- and Scapegoat Wax is one of their noteworthy finds. Fresh from Chico's house-party circuit, Wax's Marty James has cultivated an album of diverse styles. On Okeeblow, co-produced with Beasties collaborator Mario Caldato, Jr., James can hop-scotch from rap to hip-hop to '70s funk with admirable agility. "Freeway" is a D'Angelo-style R&B soul track, complete with falsetto harmonies; "Crawling" is an acoustic guitar-driven ballad along the lines of Incubus' "Drive." Despite the requisite scratching and genre-bending, Okeeblow doesn't sound sample-heavy. When he raps on "Evelyn" and "Almost Fine," James fits in with progressive rappers like Outkast and the Roots, who tend to avoid samples in favor of live instrumentation. However, both "Crawling" and "Space to Share" -- while demonstrating James' ability to write and perform well in different genres -- fail to mesh with the otherwise seamless hip-hop-DJ vibe. Lyrically and stylistically, Scapegoat Wax best relates to artists like Beck and the Beastie Boys, wacky alchemists who successfully transcend musical boundaries.

Someone said this guy was good, and I said scapegoat what? but I randomly saw the video on M2, and was immediately hooked. I like all the grooves, the beats are great, especially since he worked with Mario C from the B-Boy's. This disk is a must have for any groove loving / hip hop fan. Another good band similar to this is Mountain Con.

I just got this cd in the mail and it rocks. Scapegoat Wax is going to blow up this summer. Chico town is going to be put on the map with this cat. Cannot describe what kind of music it is because it really does range in all genres. Unlike the other musicians who claim they do, this one really does. It is good enough so go buy it!

Okeeblow has become one of my favorite albums over the years, and it's disapointing that the band hasn't been able to attain more commercial success. Marty James of Scapegoat Wax is a master at creating a catchy pop sound fusing rap, funk/soul, R&B, and singing/songwriting that grows on the listener with every spin, while never really waring itself out. The album is a clean, creative blend that puts James' artistic versatility front and center, especially on tracks "Aisle
ten", "Freeway",and "Space to Share". The beats and rhymes on "eardrum" are effectious to say the least, and "Almost Fine" is classic self-depricatingly honest Marty. Okeeblow is one of those rare gems of a pop record that is thuroughly enjoyable, and best of all, diverse, displaying a unique blending of sounds on every track, that adds up to a sound that belongs solely to 'Wax'. Out of all the great and classic albums I have in my collection, it is amazing how often I reach for this little known record by the unknown, small town hero from Chico. Undoubtedly trivial as far as it's message, but an overlooked pop classic nonetheless.

I bought this CD off of CD Now for 24 cents, I figure hey I couldn't possibly go wrong with such a cheap purchase...First off, when I bought this CD I didn't know Scapegoat Wax (aka Marty James) rapped. Not only that, but his style is like Kyprios or Hierogryphics type stuff, and I was very impressed! Especially the song Eardrum, great track!

I'm happy I bought this CD, it's definetly something different then the usual crap that I listen to.