 |
|
Detroit Grand Pubahs, "Nuttin' Butt Funk"
While they had a modest hit with 2000's "Sandwiches," the DGPs aren't simply a gimmick band. There is an explicit amount of humor to their songs, but for every sophomoric skit on this album, there's a nuanced instrumental track that demonstrates their musicianship. With the genre hopping sound, heavy amounts of funk, a bit of rock, and a little social commentary, they really do seem the antecedents of Parliament Funkadelic. Plus, they're also obsessed with ass.
The opening three tracks of this album lean more towards the dancefloor/techno end of the band's sound. The sprawling "Skydive From Venus" leans more on the ambient side of ambient techno, burying the beats low in the mix and focusing on analog synth funk squelches and classic electro basslines. "Crystal" and "ChiTown Shuffle" take similar approaches, the former slathered in reverb while the latter has a genital vibrating bass thump, but both are techno with lots of processing and sound effects. The best thing is that, even these dance floor focused tracks are nuanced in their construction: sure, there’s the simple thump percussion, but the layers of synth and effects make them worthwhile off the dance floor.
Most of the tracks are tinged with it anyway, but "Rollin’ Paper & Bush" and the unlisted demo mix of "Rebal Music" are overt funk in the classic sense. Here the connection with George Clinton’s crew becomes most clear, both of the tracks mix the DGP’s standard electro/techno sound with unadulterated funk and rock that would even make Prince proud. It is in both of these that the vocals are attempts at social commentary, but here they don’t show quite the narrative proficiency of Mr. Clinton. Here it is ham-handed and overwrought…and mocking G.W. Bush started being a cliché somewhere around 2003 or 2004, but at least here the music overshadows the lyrics.
Yes, the vocals are best left to the silly songs, which straddle the line between sophomoric and absurdly brilliant. "Earth Hoes" sounds like a follow up to "Sandwiches," using the same pitch shifted vocals of that track over a stripped down minimal electro track with hints of Miami Bass ass shaking beats. "Butt Market" has a similar vibe: dirty electro synth, samples, and even a guitar solo, all with vocals discussing going to the vendor of buttocks. "Dirty ‘Ole Man" keeps the electro, but adds in cheesy Casio synth leads, operatic vocal samples, and snippets of Redd Foxx standup comedy. In short, it’s awesome.
My personal preference here is more on the electro tracks. Even though the DGP’s take a more diverse and calculated approach to dance and house music, I always love the old school synths and stiff beats. The vocal tracks are among my favorite simply because they exhibit the full range of style here, there’s electro synth, drum machine beats, absurdist lyrics, and a whole lot of funk. But with the exception of the forced social commentary and lame skits, the tracks here are great.
samples:
