Dr. Octagon: Dr. Octagonecologyst Cassette Dr. Octagon

One of the most mind-f-ing collaborations in the history of indie hip-hop. If you don’t know, this is a classic album in which underrated/overrated Dan the Automator handles the subdued and totally appropriate production. The instrumentals are just enough to take you somewhere, but not enough to detract from Kool Keith at the height of his “I will literally say whatever I want” attitude. What is this, Space-rap? Horror-core? Album opener “3000” is a deceptive olive branch: I convinced myself that I still could get with this album, but after “I Got To Tell You” and “Earth People” I realized that this was beyond me. One can argue that Keith himself never replicated the relentless WTF imagery he had mastered on this album, which ceases to exist as metaphor and exists solely as WHAT HE IS ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT. There was no rewinding 10 seconds, if you wanted to know what you missed you went back to the beginning of the song. And of course, bringing it all together is DJ Qbert, who destroys it on the turntables. You think I’m getting all “The Turntable Is A Musical Instrument” on you, but listen again to the cuts at the end of “Blue Flowers” and tell me that isn’t pure blinding God-force. Also includes “Wild And Crazy,” “the BSE (Best Song Ever),” “Halfsharkalligatorhalfman” and 15 more. Pee Pee 5-1 Doo Doo. Limited edition cassette reissue with 3D lenticular cover and clear yellow shell.

• 3D lenticular cover
• yellow cassette shell
• music label: Geffen 1996 / 2016

reviewed by Woodman 07/2016