Vaudeville Villain [Explicit Lyrics]

MF Doom | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Sound Ink
• ASIN: B0000BZYTJ
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,240 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From URB Magazine

MF Doom delves deeper into his comic-book identity with Viktor Vaughn: sometime mild-mannered rapper, sometime evil scientist (in Marvel Comics-speak, Doctor Doom’s real name is Victor Von Doom). On the continuity tip, Doom seems to float in and out of character at will, never sewing any real plot together. And unlike Doom’s excellent Operation Doomsday, here he’s merely the MC. Using SoundInk in-house producers King Honey, Heat Sensor, the less-interesting Max Bill and an ineffective freelance by RJD2, Doom spins dozens of fractured and occasionally amazing tales spread over a smorgasbord of beats, ranging from laptop hip-sway ("Modern Day Mugging") to creepy haunted-hop ("Never Dead" with Vincent Price-ings by M. Sayyid). Recalling a Cuban Linx-era Raekwon who is obsessed with science instead of wise guys, Doom still manages to rock, with his galloping flow and inward-yet-accessible storytelling. But this isn’t really his record, and it shows.

Brian Coleman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Doom does it again. Buy this now!, October 12, 2003

By 

Eyes and Teeth (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Vaudeville Villain (Audio CD)

This is definately the year of Doom. After purchasing the excellent King Ghedorah album, and the collaberation with Madlib, I promptly picked this up, to see if Metal Face could keep up the excellence. This album rocks. Personally, it my favorite hip hop album of the year BY FAR. The production (done by a bunch of cats from the SoundInk stable) is completly fresh and off the hook. The beats on this album really outshine those on any other hip hop album I have heard this year. And as for Dumile, if you can believe, he just keeps getting fresher- Definatley one of the top lyrically dogs in the game at the moment. Also, since this came out in close proximity to the King Ghedorah lp ('Take Me To Your Leader'), I have heard lots of critics trying to compare the two- Don't bother, the are both completly different & dope. I actually prefer this album to that one quite abit. For one, Doom rhymes on every track (actually he is the only MC on most tracks). And being a beat-head, I find the production on this CD to be far superior. The beats on are are by turns creepy, sinister, futuristic, and ill- all head nodders. I did like the production on 'Take Me To Your Leader', but the production on this lp was much fresher- it hits the speakers better, and is WAY more futuristic. If you are have not picked up this gem yet, do so now- I promise you won't be disapointed, also pick up the hot collabo with MadLid (it's called 'Madvillian'), and 'Take Me To Your Leader' while you're at. Amazingly, Dumile is gracing us with ANOTHER full length this year- A brand new MF Doom album. You already now that's going to rock. If there was any justice at all, Dumile would multi-platinum, and runaway choice for MC of the year. Peace...

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A necessity for hip-hop enthusiasts, June 14, 2005

By 

Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vaudeville Villain (Audio CD)

My first exposure to MF (Metal Face) Doom, was from his collaboration with Madlib, "Madvillain". I was very impressed with the album, but it left me wanting more of Dumile's engrossing mush-mouthed rhyme style. At my first impression, I thought Doom's flow was very old-school. Well, upon further research, I wasn't too surprised that he was first featured on the 3rd Bass single, "The Gas Face" (1989), under the alias Zev Love X (born Daniel Dumile). Zev made his debut with K.M.D. a couple of years later. So yes, there's a lot of history to the man behind the iron mask. Fast-forward to 2003, and you'll find the veteran MC in arguably, his finest form yet. And here he is under another alias, Viktor Vaughn (Victor Von Doom is Dr. Doom's real name in the Marvel comic books.) Doom's story-rhymes are very compelling and very gripping. In fact, the production brought forth by RJD2, King Honey, Heat Sensor, and Max Bill, is just as captivating as Doom's intriguing flow.

"Vaudeville Villain" paints vivid pictures of dark twisted city folklore, which is very reminiscent of Marvel comic book tales. The production sounds futuristic, yet classic. It's never overbearing, and always enjoyable. It's interesting, yet minimal, which keeps the spotlight where it should be, on Doom himself. It may take a few spins to fully digest Doom's unique flow; but it's a journey worth taking. There are actually very few collaborations with other emcees here (a plus). The ones that are included hold up very strong. The exquisite "Let Me Watch" featuring Apani B Fly stands out nicely. "Open Mic Nite, Pt. 1" doesn't feature Doom at all; but instead features the mad talent of Dr Moreau and Louis Logic's incredible battle rhymes. Doom steps it up on "Open Mic Nite, Pt. 2" where he takes down AJ Ready Wright and Creature. The record is filled with twists and turns that are sure to shock a few listeners, to say the very least. My favorites have got to be "Saliva," "Never Dead," the title track, and "Lickupon".

There really isn't a dull moment on "Vaudeville Villain". It's packed with great ideas, an innovative approach, ill production, and a enthralling old-school accessible feel. MF Doom has been a very busy man in the past few years, and experiencing the magic of this masterpiece makes me that much happier to know he is finally getting the respect he deserves.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here to save the game like a memory card, October 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Vaudeville Villain (Audio CD)

Listening to Viktor Vaughn: Vaudville Villain, MF Doom's latest classic, it's hard not to wonder how one MC can be so creative, so many light years ahead of the competition and still be unknown by so many supposed hip-hop heads. If you are one of the unlucky ones who've never heard his work, the time is now. Vocally, Doom sounds somewhere between Kool G. Rap and Erick Sermon with his thick tongued lisp and laid-back, conversational flow. Lyrically, it's a different story. Doom spits dizzying, subtle jewels and punchlines that reveal themselves with each repeated listen. Just a word of advice: if you're a fan of radio (c)rap, there's no sped-up R&B vocal samples, or even a chorus anywhere on here - just raw, original, kind-of electronica inspired beats (but still straight up hip-hop) and lyrics that will have you open-mouthed in awe. Underground, intelligent, and hardcore, but still accessable to less open-minded hip-hop fans, this is a CRUCIAL disk for you to own.

Too many quotables here, but just to get you motivated to cop it, here's a tiny sample:

"There's four sides to every story/ If these walls could talk, they'd prob'ly still ignore me/ Contemplate war over a cup of warm coffee/ it's really gettin' gory/ Tell your problems to Maury" (Lickupon)

"Don't let the drama get ya/ in the only form of music where the fans shoot the messenger/ Bi-ch n-----s talk behind your back like a catcher/Either MYOB or BYO stretcher ," (The Drop)

"Had enough of your mularkey/ For one, don't mark me/ and who you callin darkey?" (A Dead Mouse)

"Soup's on/ and I got a coupon/ Chinese restaurant askin' for the Grey Poupon/ He said, "No - duck sause, soy sauce/ and this ain't no Burger King/ so you don't get no toy, boss/...You ain't nicer than the lunatic sheister/ AKA the Vikster/ or the Vikmeister" (Rae Dawn)

"Why you starin'/Run your chain like an errand/and your girls earings/ and what y'all wearin" (Modern Day Mugging)

I can't do this any justice. Get this and enjoy for yourselves. All other MCs, pack it up...it's a wrap.