Quiet Dog – Mos Def
As I’ve said, I’m not real big on hip hop, but sometimes something comes around that’s too good to ignore. The new Mos Def album definitely falls into that category. The general consensus seems to be that it’s a major step back up for him after several disappointing albums. To be honest, I never had a strong opinion one way or the other about his previous works. He’s clearly immensely talented and every so often has a track that I really enjoy.
The Ecstatic, though, is certainly the first record that I’ve actively enjoyed from top to bottom.
“Quiet Dog” was my introduction, and the track that convinced me I absolutely had to hear the rest. It’s got an awesome percussive beat that manages to be both infinitely smooth and totally intense. He lays deep grooves but manages to skip and dance among them with total freedom and clarity. Hands down one of the best songs I’ve heard this year.
Elsewhere, there is “Life in Marvelous Times” which is far slicker and more melodic than I’d expect – but accomplishes this without collapsing into the shiny pop-hop that seems to plaster the popular consciousness these days. And “Casa Bey” has this almost disco-beat going – which sounds horrible, obviously but turns out to be an awesome vehicle for him to take rolling over the track. “Roses” is surprisingly sweet, while “Pretty Dancer” brings the grime.
The record also has a number of diversions into almost-Eastern samples and far more abstract meanderings – which may be a good or bad thing depending on your mood. It certainly offers a change of pace and gives the whole enterprise a ghostly feeling. “Auditorium” for example is a perfect showcase for his impeccable flow and rhythm, but it’s far more powerful thanks to the vaporous samples (and the interlude from Slick Rick) that guide the whole thing.