dälek, from filthy tongue of gods and griots (side A)

In the early oughts, Anti-Pop Consortium may have received the most recognition for incorporating indie-rock aesthetics into hip-hop.  Where Anti-Pop focused on minimalist simplicity, dälek began to stretch hip-hop through a maximalist approach.  The densely layered rhythms of Public Enemy and the Bomb Squad were coupled with drones out of My Bloody Valentine or the Jesus and Mary Chain.  2002's from filthy tongue of gods and griots sounds neither primitive nor polished, and it definitely lacks the sterile clarity that has long been fashionable in hip-hop.  My disclaimer here is that I'm working with Chang/Still, who joined the group during the making of this album, on his new material.