Tuesday, June 2, 2009

This Gigantic Robot Kills

There is no reason to come up with your own title when talking about this album because This Gigantic Robot Kills is an amazing title as is. MC Lars got the idea for the title from the late, great Wesley Willis. "Bay area "post-punk laptop rap" artist MC Lars has been giving props (respect) to friend Willis since his early recording, stating Willis as a major influence upon him. In the thanks list of 2003's Radio Pet Fencing CD (released before Willis' passing), MC Lars writes "Wesley Willis (we'll work the demons, man)". In the song "My Rhymes Rhyme", the chorus contains the line "Shout outs to Wesley Willis, Atom G. and John Hall. Word to MC Paul Barman, hey return my call!". On the track "Yes I Am An Alien", Wesley Willis can be heard loud and clear at the end of the song saying "Lars Horris, I like your song, I'm gonna write a song about you. I'll probably write it on my next rock and roll record for it is called This Gigantic Robot Kills". In tribute, Lars' 2009 album is titled This Gigantic Robot Kills, with the title track performed along with Suburban Legends and The Aquabats' MC Bat Commander.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Willis) "

In my opinion, while we are on the subject of the title This Gigantic Robot Kills, it is also my favorite track on the entire album, which is a tough thing to choose with so many good songs. For example, "No Logo", the ridiculous but fun and funny "35 Laurel Drive", and the sad, but nice "Twenty-Three", not purposely going in order of track listing. The reason "This Gigantic Robot Kills" is my favorite, besides being fun musically, is the lyrics and the style. I have always loved ska and the whole song is about a kid who builds a robot to go around, bashing in heads, firing lasers, canons, and so on to spread the word that "Ska is not dead!" There's even a good Pixies homage towards the end of the song.

The only complaint I have with the album is the placement of "We Have Arrived". I really like the song, especially as an opening track for the MC Lars/YTCracker Digital Gangster LP (also featuring K. Flay & Former Fat Boys). The song is upbeat and shows another side of Lars, with his friends, but lyrically it seems out of place and possibly another song from that LP would have been slightly better to use. He couldn't have moved it because putting it first on TGRK wouldn't have the same effect with the way the album already starts.

Even with saying that though, the album is the most fun I have had with a full album in a long time and the slight complaint I have with it does not ruin the album for me. People who like punk, hip-hop, ska, rock, and just fun, well-written music in general will enjoy this (and any) MC Lars album.

Monday, June 1, 2009