Music review: Bassnectar

By Danny J. Spence, KJHK rotation DJ

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Contributed photo

Bassnectar's album cover

Churning out his first release in two years, Bassnectar steps back onto the scene and musically asserts that he’s one of the best in the game.

For those who are unfamiliar, Bassnectar is roughly categorized as hip-hop-tinged electronica. More than anything, his music is loud and crammed with as much energy as possible.

For example, he kicks off the title track with electro arpeggios before laying down a head-knocking hip hop drum pattern. Following that we launch into the “Mega-Bass Remix,” which is a slightly darker, drum-and-bass-infused reprise.

Just when you’ve got this album pinned down as a double shot of espresso in your day, Bassnectar throws in some chilled-out, ambient vocals into the mix as he does on the remix of Mr. Projectile’s “Love Here.”

This album, and all of Bassnectar’s music, is about surprises. The flaw of this record, as with his past projects, is the caliber of the featured rappers. Which is to say, fairly low. Just imagine if artists such as Dizzee Rascal, The Cool Kids, or Roots Manuva linked up with this guy.

Bottom line, this album isn’t for everyone, but fans of electronic music, jumping around or the way bass makes the pennies in your change cup rattle will be in heaven.

Verdict: Two and a half stars

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