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Arsonists | Date Of Birth

CD, Matador/Konkurrent

Tekst: Manuel Aalbers

Publicatiedatum: 05 september 2001

By now, you might have figured out that KindaMuzik hardly ever features any hip-hop. What is the reason to make an exception? The answer is 'Date of Birth'. Arsonists' second record is all about hip-hop and captures some of the best songs in the genre as of now. So, what is so good about 'DOB'? The criticism I have on most hip-hop records is that all songs sound alike. With the Arsonists, this is not the case. OK, there are some connected tunes, but most are of a different kind. In 1999, Arsonists' debut 'As the World Burns' was released, which featured 'Blaze', a great song filled with portions of Jeff Wayne's 'Eve of the war' (If 'Eve of the War' does not ring a bell you were either psychically injured by that war or under 18, which means you should not be reading this review anyway.). In style, 'DOB' is not so much different from 'ATWB', but it does sound more mature, more advanced, and more developed. 'DOB' is a logical step: better than the debut, but not a repetition of it. Both the song structures and the lyrics are better (very notably in 'His Hate, Her Love'), and they still have a sense of humour. 'Millionaire', for instance, tells the story of a TV quiz with many funny and very fast Q&As. But is the life of an Arsonist that funny? Well, take the M-train to Central Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and find out for yourself. Too difficult? Follow Plan B: Simply put on 'Date of Birth'. 'DOB' shows the world of a black and Latino community through the eyes of three young males. What they show you is not a ghetto, but don't be fooled: It's quite a tough neighbourhood. In the 70s, Bushwick was full of arsonists (for the illiterate: fire raisers, hence the name of their debut), and now they're back. Instead of firing houses, these hip-hoppers are firing your feet as well as your head. Some Arsonists' tunes will keep on buzzing in your head. Fortunately, this doesn't go hand in hand with a lot of "fuck this and fuck that", "bitches here and bitches there". The Arsonists are no pussies, they just know they're good enough to go around without using these kind of words in every phrase. Instead, they use phrases like "females look proper". The Arsonists combine the best of old-skool beats with new arrangements. 'Burn It Out' gives the record a 70s funky and firing flavour, where most raps are more in line with old-skool heroes. 'DOB' isn't filled with novelties but sounds relaxed in its combination of the best of the past and the promise of the future.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/arsonists/date-of-birth/770/
Meer Arsonists op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/arsonists