Last week saw the release of the Uncluded's new album Hokey Fright, but who are the Uncluded? Well, they are none other than Kimya Dawson (from every song on the Juno soundtrack) and Aesop Rock (from every good hip hop song that's not on the radio). The partnership is as odd as pairing Tom Waits with Zooey Deschanel.
But surprisingly, Hokey Fright sounds exactly as one would expect: it's half nursery-rhyme-type melodies and half indie hip hop, and it's all introspective. What's interesting is that neither Dawson nor Aesop rock verge into the other's territories; Aesop does the rapping and beats, and Dawson does the singing and the melodic guitar work, and not the other way around.
The big question is, does this collaboration work? On a couple of listens, it's still too early to tell – but it's most certainly a conversation piece – and an album to keep an eye (or an ear) on this year. In addition, the Uncluded is going on the road to promote this very odd mutant baby of theirs, because it certainly sounds like Dawson and Aesop rock are parenting here. The word "genius" gets thrown a lot these days and it's still up in the air whether the Uncluded is that, whether this zygote is viable or will be stillborn. But at least you can say you were there when the birthing happened.
Artist:
www.rhymesayers.com/theuncluded
www.facebook.com/theuncluded
Tour:
The Uncluded's North American tour begins on May 28, 2013. Click here for a list of concert dates.
Album:
Hokey Fright is out now. Buy it here on Amazon .
