Customer Reviews

One Word Extinguisher

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What do you get when you meld the glitch electronica of Autechre and Aphex Twin with hip-hop? Prefuse 73. Scott Herren, otherwise known as Prefuse 73, is one of the most innovative hip-hop artists I have heard for quite some time. Along with RJD2 and DJ Shadow, Prefuse 73 is making a name for instrumental hip-hop. On One Word Extinguisher, Herren takes the tried-and-true sample formula and warps it out of proportion, creating rhythmic beats from seemingly chaotic sampling. Speech, song and various different instruments are cut-and-pasted to create a colorful collage of sound, all with very little or no use of turntables. The album cracks and flows both at the same time. "The End of Biters" comes off in the beginning as a standard rap song, but Herren unexpectedly rhythmically cuts the vocals so that they meld into the beat rather than play over it. Its a fantastic new approach to hip-hop.

Of course, there are standard rap numbers in which the several guest rappers on the album flow over Herren's fantastically original beats. "Plastic" and "Huevos" spotlight the talented raps of Diverse and Mr. Lif, respectively. Yet despite these rappers' great abilities, the instrumentation takes precident. Prefuse's beats are so alien and ahead of their time. Just like Timbaland and Dre have crafted their own distinctive hip-hop production, so has Prefuse 73. Herren's beats are something out of the pages of glitch and techno, similar to what you would hear on a Autechre, Plaid, Aphex Twin or even Mouse on Mars album. The sounds are harsh, crunchy and sharp; yet at the same time undeniably rhythmic. Several instrumental numbers emphasize this wonderful amalgam of electronica and hip-hop. "Perverted Undertone", perhaps one of the more stable tracks (it has the fewest samples and most consistent rhythm) is colorful piece sustained by a hypnotic drum loop and a continuous sample that flows backwards a la the Beatle's "Tomorrow Never Knows". "Detchibe" is another wonderful rhythmic instrumental, albeit more crunchy and sharper in its sonic texture.

"One Word Extinguisher" is both a fantastic hip-hop and electronica album. Its beats and sonic textures alone would satisfy any fan of any artists of the Warp label (Prefuse 73 happens to be on the label as well), and the skills of its several guest rappers any alternative rap lover. It's a wonderful, weird and undeniably rhythmic melding of two music worlds.

Regardless of what people are saying, this album can't be catergorized in any genre besides the vague and anomalous term "progressive music." I say that with full confidence that, even with the guest MCs and beat manipulation, one cannot consider this solely an instrumental, electronic hip hop album. There is simply too much going on, a musical overload across every frequency, music so coordinated and organized that it is even stifling. Going from any genre to this album (jazz, classical, even independent) is like shooting for the moon yet ending up in Mars, yet a comfortable and enjoyable trip.

An important distinction to make about One Word Extinguisher is the fact that it is a complete disc. Although certain individual tracks are astonishing, only a few of them take on song form due to the rapid changes mid-track. The listener is forced to sit and absorbe the entire record, not just for the beats but for the samples. Thus, after listening to this CD, there are very few things you'll actually remember about it because you have heard so much. Do you remember the upbeat and great cooperation on "Plastic," the fantastic song that is the title track, or do you remember the final sample on "90% Of My Mind is With You"? That is entirely up to the listener, and therefore the major reason this disc is so successful: Herren's work outshines his purpose.

To sum it up, the ingenius musicality present on this album makes it one of the albums of the year, bar none.

This is nothing but a perfect fusion of IDM and Hip-Hop / Rap, masterfully executed by a genius of rhythmic innovation.

If there is something that proves hip hop can be a limitless, utterly compelling thing, this is it. Every bit as nuanced and produced as IDM electronic music, this takes pure hip hop elements, and filters them down through relentless breakbeats, and lovely electo textures. Attacking straight out of the box with the jazzed out turntablism of "The End of Biters- International" then segwaying into the contemporary hip hop of "Plastic", this more than any thing out there shows the heights this music can be taken to, and that's further than the eye can see. The utter attention to detail can not only be admired, but enjoyed thoroughly. This keeps the entire record well within the lines of excellence, making it a real treat for anyone who loves the feel of either music (ie: hip hop, electronic). Prefuse 73 has an utterly excellent musical proposal that will probably keep him away from mainstream acceptance, but virtually guarantees his ascension to greatness in both the hip hop, and electronic undergrounds, if he isn't there already.

must confess I made a bit of a leap into the unknown with this album. I am a serious fan of their label buddies Aphex Twin, but I knew before purchase that it would be vastly different. I was not disappointed. In this album this listener is presented with a mix of electronica, hip-hop, chilled synth, some really ecclectic sounds that I just can't categorize, and wierd vocal interludes. I think the best way to describe this would be some sort of thinking-man's DJ Shadow. When you have moved on in your taste, and listened to that genre to the extent you have had enough, then this would be a great advance. Its pretty chilled out, but provides some really interesting listening, rather than simply melting into the background. The album is hugely varied, with some dub-fuelled human beat-boxing going on, though its not as dark as something like Deadly Avenger.

I would thoroughly advise what is simply a very good album and a pleasure to listen to, plus the cover is nice!

Prefuse's best album to date. A mesmerizing assortment of glitchy, rap and IDM infused, breakbeats.

This album changed the way I saw music. Scott Herren (Prefuse) uses synthesised sounds to create a beautiful textured harmonic landscape over crisp yet original and 'quirky' sounding hip hop beats that are produced with precise definition. However, 'hip hop' is too restrictive a term, and although I love the genre, Prefuse uses a higher complexity of rhythm (a fan of the triplet, and shuffled beat rhythms) and of course in 'hip hop' I am referring only to the beats, it is what he lays on top that makes it what it is. If you produce tracks yourself, you will fall in love with the technical prowess displayed in this album, if not, you will recognise it anyway and love it - it is the close attention to 'sonics' that really seperates him from most other musicians, he seems to highly value the importance of the actual 'sound' as well as the rhythm, harmony, melody, dynamics, what we all consider to be the fundamental defining factors of music. You can listen to his music on a superficial level and enjoy, even put it on at parties, the beats have groove and punch, like a lot of good hip hop, but there is a much deeper level that lurks beneath and would take a concentrated listen to appreciate. Prefuse 73 has one of the most distinct sounds I have heard in a while and I believe many people are trying to imitate him, but nobody has yet surpassed him, or come close. You needn't be into hip hop or electronica to enjoy this album as some reviews might lead you to believe. Trust me - it's awesome.

Scott Herren is Prefuse 73, and he creates amazing music. Beautiful, fun, original, and so many more words describe what he creates. It simply must be heard to be understood. The great thing: he is just as good live. Essential album.

Prefuse is by far one of the most interesting and best techno/IDM artists to pop out with in the last decade. Which is amusing because he really doesn't fit into either of those catagories despite being lumped with them. Instead, Scott Herren(the sole member of Prefuse) is one man DJ/Producer who seems like he's just as at home making beats for the next Kool Keith record as he would be colaberating for Autechre or any other "hardcore" techno artist. That right there is what helps elevate Prefuse beyond his peers: he does a perfect balancing act of invention and accessibility.

His album is set up almost like a Boards of Canada record. 21(listed tracks. They're are 23 in total) songs are scattered between short "songletts" to full-scale songs(which are relatively short compared to even BoC standards, much less Autechre's). It works because the shorter songs or sometime skits that are less developed and more transitional are left to pull you right into the full scale songs. The better news is that even some of the shorter tracks still sound awesome, like the coming out the front door screaming track, The End of Biters that basically kicks off the album. From their the album moves from glitchy hip hop(forementioned song, Plastic), to subtle ambience(Diatribe is a good , to weird beat patterns and vocal samples(the end of Altoid Addiction has some amusing banter if you use some imagination). All of this is mixed in with pride and panche for a solid hour of some of the most unique music you will here this year. If there is one complaint is that I wish there were more vocal tracks to balance everything out but its still so damn solid that to give this record anything less then 5 stars would be criminal. Could easily be the best of 2003(which would knock out current front runner Deftones easily).

This guy never ceases to amaze me. By combining little bits of sounds, some pretty amazing songs come out of this album. I think in other hands, "collage" would seem an appropriate term, but Scott elevates it to a truly cohesive state. There are good melodies and creative rythmns all over the place. He uses many styles that range from hip-hop to idm and soul. If you can handle hearing something quite original, and have a little patience, you're in for a ride.