Album Review
Stanley Odd – Reject
Hip hop is all sampling and fast talking American DJs going on about guns and hos and MFs, isn’t it? Well, not Scottish hip hop – at least not if Stanley Odd’s rather good new album Reject is anything to go by.
With lyrics that address the current Scottish political situation as well as razor sharp takes on many aspects of modern life, the Edinburgh based band offer up something quite different. Reject, the band’s second album, is entertaining and fresh, relevant and exciting. It’s a Scottish creation, not merely an imitation of American hip hop stars. And it is so much better for its originality – although a little explanation may be required here and there by non Scots.
The words come mainly from Solareye (aka Dave Hook) who uses a mix of humour and piercing insight to create some fine songs. Veronika Electronika adds a contrasting vocal input, taking the sound more towards mainstream pop territory at times with her lovely soulful voice. And the instrumental backing from the rest of the band is excellent throughout, using original sounds rather than the normal sampling approach.
The lyrics clearly drive the music of Stanley Odd, but, unlike in a lot of hip hop, the musical accompaniment is clearly important to the band as well. Ultimately Stanley Odd are more than just an MC and backing; they are a band with a sound of their own.
THIS IS STANLEY ODD starts the album with a steady beat and sharp lyrics. Veronika Electronika’s repeated “Do I have to spell it out for you?” gives the clue to the clever trick: the lines of the song spell out its title. Join The Club is another with a twist, as the track name checks dozens of pubs and clubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Also very clever is Marriage Counselling, which later follows a lovely short instrumental track, The Counsellor’s Waiting Room. This is all a metaphor for the relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK around the independence debate. The track gives arguments for and against, although it mainly seems to satirise the stereotypes used on both sides of the divide.
Antiheroics is another overtly political track, covering everything from the Big Brother surveillance culture to the coalition government. No “for” here though, just the “against”! The track also backs voting as a means of change, attacking those who “won’t vote to conserve personal data management. But still have a Facebook page and buy stuff on Amazon.”
The single Get Out Ma Headspace, which was released as a free download in June, starts with a variety of electronic sounds before a fast beat takes over. This one has the tv obsessed in its sights: “Day-dream automatons catch the Hollyoaks omnibus”.
The closing Day 3 is one of the strongest tracks on the album. Electronika’s lovely first verse opens over a slow piano before the bass and drums come in to lay down the beat. The rest of the song weaves lines from the first verse into Solareye’s rap rather nicely. It’s a love song, although not an orthodox one, and there are, as always, some fine lyrical flourishes. “Raven-haired, she steals ma breath as she kisses me. Draws my soul through the gaps in my missing teeth” stands out.
I wouldn’t describe myself as a hip hop fan, but then Stanley Odd have created something that is more than a hip hop album. The influences are wide and everything from funk sounds to punk lyrics come together to form a very Scottish album, but one that will hopefully travel well. It’s a lot of fun, and if you study the lyrics you can’t help but appreciate the skill involved.