The Mouse and the Mask [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Danger Doom

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: October 11, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Epitaph / Ada
• ASIN: B000B9EYDY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,344 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Usually when you read that an album is "inspired by" a motion picture or TV show, you can be certain that the one thing those artists were inspired by was a big fat check, and consequently those records generally do not sound very good. But the debut collaboration between no-longer-underground hip-hop artists Dangermouse and MF Doom, allegedly inspired by the Cartoon Network's late-night stoner-centric animation series Adult Swim, is far better than it has any right being. Doom has one of the best flows around, and he's at least as smart as your favorite dictionary-digger. Danger Mouse's obscure samples are excellent, but this is just a fun record that's not trying to be more, or less. Character voices get worked in, and these are pretty cool, especially Shakey's send-up of the fake answering machine cliché. There're also guest appearances by Ghostface Killah, Cee-Lo, and Talib Kweli. When it comes to rappers hanging with cartoon characters, Mouse and the Mask is more fun than a Shaq attack and a Gorillaz record combined. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description
Two of this generation's most respected hip-hop artists, Danger Mouse and MF Doom have come together for this album, inspired by Adult Swim, Cartoon Network's popular late-night animation network. Doom, with his near obsession with masked identities and superhero personas, and Mouse, with his murky, ethereal soundscapes that cloud men's minds like Mandrake, are the perfect partners for the project, and each has inspired the other to the finest work of their careers. "The Mouse & The Mask" contains character voices and skits from Adult Swim's most popular original shows, including "Aqua Teen Hunger Force", "Sealab 2021", and "Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law", along with guest appearances by Cee-Lo, Talib Kweli, and Ghostface Killah.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid release, but then again, what did you expect?, October 11, 2005

By	Nicholas Adam Chupka "Metalhead" (Derwood, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The fact that this album is titled The Mouse and the Mask highlights the growing popularity of two of hip-hop's most respected connoisseurs, Danger Mouse and the mighty MF Doom. Years ago, such a title would have drifted right past the awareness of most hip-hop fans, but with MF's credibility in both the underground and mainstream NYC scene, and Danger Mouse's much sought after production skills, these two have managed to put out an album with actual anticipation across the world of hip-hop.

And folks, the anticipation is completely warranted. With the consistent use of the Cartoon Network Adult Swim characters Brak, Grandmaster Shake, and Harvey Birdman, and guest appearances by the other Iron Man: Ghostface Killah, the conscious wizard Talib Kweli, and dirty south eclectic extraordinaire Cee-Lo, this MC and DJ dynamic duo unleashes a refreshing and downright fun hip-hop album.

Fans of MF Doom will be neither blown away, nor surprised by the delivery and lyrical output on this release. Possibly the most consistent MC in hip-hop, Doom sticks to his mouth-full, Rakim-relaxed flow which could easily have folks mistaking him for the long lost 10th core member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Never seeking to impress his fan base or new listeners with obnoxiously abstract content, or spell-binding flow/speed, MF forces you to hit the rewind button to hear the almost juvenile, yet mostly creative tongue-in-cheek disses which harkens to the battle days of old school hip-hop.

And for the most part, Danger Mouse matches the output of his partner. At times, the beats can only be described as the perfect offspring of Ghetto Pop Life/Grey Album era Danger Mouse, and that well-known MF Doom vibe. Tracks like "The Mask", "Old School", "No Names", and "Space-Ho's" (my favorite) justify this match made in heaven, and oftentimes find Doom sounding his best with backing from one of the finest producers in the game.

Unfortunately, a number of tracks are lackluster, and they will quickly earn the "I always fast forward through this track" badge. "ATHF", a nice ode to the already classic cartoon, never succeeds in providing memorable moments, and "Basket Case" could be used as a prime example of album filler, despite its use of the prototypical "villain" samples which have become a staple of Doom's style.

When this new superhero/villain (?!?!) tandem hits the mark though, they show exactly why, despite no mass-market airplay, this album has been so hyped up in the hip-hop community. While I think this release is largely Doom in its style, the brilliance we have come to expect from this man has finally matched itself with a production/beats style which, no offense to Doom, is more of what the modern, technologically advanced hip-hop fan has come to expect. With the abundance of Adult Swim samples, these two have created a sound which, without doubt, can be found nowhere else. But hey, do they really even need the samples to achieve such a sound? Of course not. While you should not expect a start to finish display of rap transcendence, you can expect the same beats and flows which have made the two separate entities of this musical mutant two of the hottest commodities in hip-hop today.

58 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Doom's coming-out party, October 18, 2005

By	Patrick G. Varine "Dubwiser Extraordinaire" (Georgetown, Delaware) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is it. This is the album that will introduce MF Doom to a monstrous fan base.

While his other albums -- mostly four-star classics in my book -- are admittedly less accessible to the average hip-hopper (I'll be the first to admit that I was disappointed at my first listen to "Operation: Doomsday." Now I think it's fantastic), this is easy for anyone to get into.

Regardless, this album is an instant classic. My little SISTER even liked it. The beats are all bouncy and catchy (but still with a gritty edge to them), and the rhymes have just enough subtext to appeal to the discerning underground head as well as being nonsensical enough to be funny to anyone.

But the album as a whole is nothing to laugh at, however.

Right from the understated loop at the start of "El Chupa Nibre," it's clear that Doom is running the show. Danger Mouse's beats are basically all winners, from the chunky guitar on "A.T.H.F." to the Latin loop on "Crosshairs," the beats bubble under Metal Face's raspy flow.

The best moments come when guests are involved, and I'm not necessarily talking about guest MCs. Just about every Adult Swim character makes an appearance SOMEwhere, from Brak asking "Why did you buy this album? I don't know why you did, you're stupid," to Master Shake's series of messages asking why he hasn't been included on the album, "Because you KNOW my rappin' is the s***!" he says.

The album's cartoon-y theme carries over to its best song as well. "Old School" loops (what I THINK) is an old Hanna-Barbara music snippet. I recognize part of it from the opening frames of "Kill Bill," where Tarantino used it as music behind the "Feature Presentation" graphic.

Regardless of the source, Doom and Talib Kweli ride the beat like a brand-new Harley, waxing nostalgic about eatin' cereal and watchin' Saturday morning cartoons.

There's not much to dislike about this album. Even parents will enjoy the fact that they bleeped all the cuss words, although they did leave Doom's line about "fellas grab ya nutsacks, chicks squeeze your breastesses."

Good stuff. Get this NOW.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BELIEVE The Hype, October 12, 2005

By	Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Easily the most highly anticipated underground hip-hop album of the year -- "The Mouse And The Mask" is a flawless record that succeeds at every turn. After the sampling of Danger Doom we heard on the Gorillaz record "Demon Days" ("November Has Come"), fans have been eagerly waiting for the duo to drop a classic. Well, the day finally came, and I'm truly a believer. The always-on-point MF Doom returns to the scene with the enthralling production of DJ Dangermouse. As you've heard, it's a concept album that incorporates the cast of several cartoons from Cartoon Network's [adult swim] series (which includes characters from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Brak & Zorak, Harvey Birdman, the cast of Sealab 2021, and Space Ghost). I originally thought that they would just take samples from these cartoon shows...not so. These are custom samples specifically recorded for this album, which really brings the concept full circle. Overall, the album is quite flawless.

The album starts off with a disappointment on "El Chupa Nibre". The song is excellent; but is rudely interrupted with bleeps from censoring. This song must've been recorded before they knew that they couldn't have a parental advisory album that's promoted by Cartoon Network. Thankfully, there isn't another *bleep* on the rest of the album. Which brings your attention the next track "Sofa King"; which leaves the listener puzzled as to how they got away with this lyric - "I am Sofa King Retard Ed" (say it fast). "The Mask" featuring Ghostface Killah from the Wu-Tang Clan, is definitely one of the best on the album. Dangermouse's production is equally enjoyable. The streak continues with the immaculate "Perfect Hair". "Benzie Box" featuring Cee-Lo and "Old School" featuring Talib Kweli possess something that most MF Doom songs don't - choruses. They work work very well to keep the album flowing. One of my favorites is "A.T.H.F" which boasts some hilarious samples from Meatwad and Karl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Doom spits some crazy wicked rhymes. My favorite track as of now is "No Names" which boasts one of my favorite lyrics - "As a few good men set sights to link with your chick / You have to find a new hen fight to drink your liq / Ten years later, see how Enzyt'll shrink your...wallet". As the album moves along, Doom just settles into the flow beautifully in the last half, bringing the best tracks to the table ("Crosshairs", "Mince Meat", "Bada Bing").

Overall, MF Doom and Dangermouse are in top form, creating something that will be a treasure in both artist's discography for years to come. At 40 minutes in length, the album is stripped of filler, and leaves the listener drooling for more (like most Doom albums). This is an album that is truly deserving of it's hype, and will please fans to great lengths. Definitely one of the best hip-hop album of 2005.