lambchops's Full Review: Deltron 3030 by Deltron 3030
This review is an entry in the "I'll Show You Mine If You Show me Yours" Write-Off hosted by the King of Rock MattA75. I want to thank him for this opportunity to gain an appreciation of music I otherwise might have never heard. The concept was this: pair up two random music writers. Each was expected to assign the other the strangest, most obscure album they know of in order to gain a fresh perspective on the subject at hand.
Thanks goes out to paulyoungotti who assigned to me a hip hop album that was both new to me and proved more enjoyable than I could have possibly expected. Deltron 3030.
The first thing that struck me about Deltron 3030 was just how atypical to hip hop that the album proved to be. It was strange, whirling, full of samples, and futuristic references. These science fiction references were perfect for me, a huge fan of everything to do with the future.
The second thing I noticed was that I recognized the voice at the helm. Upon further inspection, I found out something very interesting about Deltron 3030. The album and the collaboration of these three highly respected and visionary hip hop was not the first or probably the last. You might just know Del The Funky Homosapien, Dan The Automator, and Kid Koala as three of the forces behind the recently innovative almost-hip hop totally animated experiment Gorillaz. So, it would seem to be a fair assumption that Deltron 3030 and Gorillaz have some common threads. Aside from Del's unabrasive rhymes, the two have very little in common. Both are mid tempo, but Deltron 3030 is decidedly darker and more pessimistic.
But after listening to Deltron 3030, I've found myself drawn to the band's future vision that harkens back to various science fiction films like Blade Runner and the like. It fortells the apocalypse via the misuse of technology. In addition to the obvious and common message throughout the album and it's twenty-one tracks, Deltron 3030 also proves to be musically relevant and almost orchestral thanks most likely to The Automator's background as a classical background.
Deltron 3030 is certainly a kind of music that attracts a niche audience. I suppose the draw to me was probably with the electronic elements and multi layered programming. Del's rhymes are slick and nicely arranged while each song has a place on the album. Complete from beginning to end, Deltron 3030 is the future of hip hop. If hip hop hopes to change and to evolve, this is what it should look toward. I'm impressed by the album and the songs and the intelligent lyrics more that I could have possibly hoped.
Of all the songs on the album, I most enjoy 3030 with the vocal samplings mixed with Del's streamlined and unobtrusive flow. I also really love Positive Contact. The track is driving and methodically paced with various references to the ills of technology including lines like never let a computer tell me sh*t. With the addition of a classical piano here and there, the song is a must hear. I guarantee listeners unexposed to Deltron 3030 will be inpressed by it's genuine genius.
All the songs are written by The Automator, and his vision really becomes clearest with the brilliant Virus and Upgrade. I adore Del's command to Upgrade your grey matter, 'cause one day it may matter. Deltron 3030 is so much more than regular old-fashioned hip hop. I really do think that more and more (probably less important) albums will begin to blend genres and thus appeal to larger audiences. And the impressively arranged music and contemporary message help to make the album seem even more relevant than one might expect.
Also of importance are other tracks like Mastermind with the obviously classical harpsicord and Meet Cleofis Randolph the Patriarch that features a muted trumpet.
Deltron 3030 is a great album. I think it's best appreciated coming into it with an open mind. Listen to the album for the first time expecting nothing. You'll be awarded with the best scratches, illest rhymes, and best rhythms available anywhere. The most problematic element with Deltron 3030 is also one of the most impressive. I for one enjoy the dark future that Deltron 3030 speaks in depth about. But, to some people that enjoy more upbeat lyrics the album could prove a bit disappointing. The dark, depressing lyrics also happen to be some of the most intelligent I've been exposed to in ages.
A few unlikely contributors aided in the success of Deltron 3030. Blur's Damon Albarn loaned his talents out on Time Keeps on Slipping. Prince Paul makes a cameo while MC Paul Barman works his stuff on a number of tracks. Finally, a heavily disguised Sean Lennon works it on Memory Loss.
Without a doubt, this is a five-star disc. Released on 75 Ark in 2000, the album is a must own for any hip hop connisseur. I also believe the album to be important to any person who likes to understand the direction that music will be headed in the next decade. I can only hope that Deltron 3030 and the collaborators will again join forces and release another album with another vision. Don't expect to find Deltron 3030 in any record stores. It's a bit difficult to locate, but can be easily purchased at any large online music retailer.
Track Listing:
1. State of the Nation
2. 3030
3. The Fantabulous Rap Extravaganza
4. Things You Can Do
5. Positive Contact
6. St. Catherine St.
7. Virus
8. Upgrade
9. New Coke
10. Mastermind
11. National Movie Review
12. Madness
13. Meet Cleofis Randolph the Patriarch
14. Time Keeps on Slipping
15. The News
16. Turbalance
17. The Fantabulous Rap Extravaganza, Pt. 2
18. Battlesong
19. Love Story
20. Memory Loss
21. The Assmann 640 Speaks
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FYI: Del is also Ice Cube's cousin, but has made a name for himself over the past decade or so with four separate solo efforts including his well-received debut I Wish My Brother George Was Here.
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