Czarface
The Odds Czar Against Us
Sometimes, as a music fan, things happen that can only be described as magic. We’re going through a vinyl revolution (or a vinyl bubble, depending on how you want to look at it), but we’re not going through a record store revolution. People are glad they can collect just about everything on vinyl (even the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack on llama color), but they’re not very interested in visiting their local record store. I would know, because I’m one of those guys. In fact, record stores seem to be folding left and right. Nowadays, if you open a record store it’s strictly a labor of love.
My neighborhood has one such store, and it’s my go-to for changing my ways. They’re Index Vinyl in Somerville.
Sure, I’m mostly looking for punk rock, but as someone who used to spend hours getting their fingers dirty flipping through records, I know the feeling of finding gold, or a record you didn’t know existed, or something you’ve been wanting but never seen in the wild, or learn about a new band just by looking at the record. Record stores are also supposed to be manned by a guru, curating the selection and soundtrack to the masses. My record store guy is as nice as they come, knowledgeable in the field, and willing to listen to my dumb stories. He’s such a nice guy that he gave me one of his band’s records. And that changed my life. That record was Czarface’s The Odd Czar Against Us.
I’m super picky when it comes to rap, because I’ve been burned so many times. But from the first track Bizarro I breathed a sigh of relief, because Czarface already sounded more interesting than anything in the mainstream. It reminded me of the more technical, relatable rap, like Aesop Rock and Run the Jewels. And while Bizarro made it clear I was dealing with true artists, it’s the follow up Call Me that made me realize The Odd Czar Against Us would also be full of bangers. That song just KICKS. It’s memorable, funny, catchy and perfectly crafted. I want everyone to hear it and nod their heads with me.
The rest of the record is just as infuriatingly on point, edgy, catchy, and hysterical, with songs about food poisoning, phony rappers, overdosing on 80s culture, and your favorite things to do on your couch. You know, not just gloating about money, drugs, and women. Czarface is the band that I want to tell everyone about.
We’re glad to be featuring the special RSD version of this vinyl, which comes with alternate artwork (and in my opinion, better artwork than the standard edition) and on luscious yellow vinyl. It’s a beautiful thing.
The Odd Czar Against Us is so impressive that it’ll serve as a launch pad for the rest of the band’s catalog. It’s short and sweet and will be a record you’ll come back to often.
Get it from Index Vinyl
