Published on Jan 14, 1998
It’s rare when someone can take a genre of music and give it an
entirely new twist that makes it much more exciting than it had
ever been.
Take alternative and hip-hop, for example. I’ve often bemoaned
the present state of alternative music, and while I like hip-hop,
I’ve felt for some time that the genre has been starting to
stagnate.
Enter Pfilbryte and his debut album
Imperfection. The title is a misnomer if I ever heard one;
this album not only creates an amazing amalgam of hip-hop’s
trippiness and alternative’s rock veins, but it restores my faith
in both genres.
Pfilbryte can only be described as a cross between a hip-hop
trickster (a la Digital Underground) and a mad scientist, using all
forms of audio and video media to his advantage. (This isn’t
surprising, when you find out he is the grandson of “Woody
Woodpecker” creator Walter Lantz – I still miss that cartoon.) His
delivery of his vocals – spoken and sung – is incredibly smooth and
laid back, at times both ridiculing and criticizing the society we
live in today.
The lead-off single “Merry Go Round” is immediately addictive.
Pfilbryte walks the line between hip-hop and alternative rock quite
well, easily belnding into both genres before you realize there’s
been a switch. One subject of his Spike Lee-type wit is aimed at
some of our “overpaid” sports heroes (“Say, man, doesn’t that $123
million affect your vertical?”), but does so without attacking
anyone in general – a refreshing change of pace.
His more pointed social criticism is saved for “Playtime,” where
he slams our interest in other people’s sex lives, from the clergy
to the president. I’m sure some will read his comments as near
blasphemy, but in one sense, it is different to hear someone say he
doesn’t care about another person’s sex life.
A few tracks fall a little short of the mark, like “This And
That” and “Denied,” but the power and energy of songa like “Poor
But Honest,” “Picture Yourself,” “A Little Bit” and “Right Of Way”
quickly make up for any shortcomings. As debuts go, this one is
simply incredible. Pfilbryte’s production work on
Imperfection shows yet another talent he has; the sound on
this disc is always crisp.
Imperfection‘s greatest difficulty, in the end, may be faced
in the management offices of the radio stations, as the album is
occasionally difficult to classify. However, it also defies
classification; here’s hoping both alternative and “dance-oriented”
stations give
Imperfection a fair shake.
Pfilbryte may be one of the most innovative new artists I’ve
heard in a while, and
Imperfection is a wonderful discovery to make. Clear your
mind, slap on the headphones, crank up the volume, and let this
disc carry you where it will… oh, and watch out for woodpeckers.
(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)