James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
‘I’m f**king radical’ – And I’d have to say I agree.
Tyler Okomna’s controversial lyrics left me shocked on listening to them first time round, in his new album Goblin. Second time, I grew to respect them. The teenage rapper’s second shot at an album, following his self-released album Bastard, contains fifteen songs each with its own individual aspect on life. Tyler’s potentially offensive album reveals a bleak outlook on life that reflects his own experiences that are both intriguing and absorbing.
The first song on the album is one of the more eccentric and popular tracks. 'Yonkers' is at first a disturbing piece of music where you clock in mostly to the frequent usage of swear words. Looking past that however and after viewing an interview with the surprisingly down to earth rapper, you realise that what Tyler is trying to do is to relay the confused and contradictory thoughts of a young man; they portray the lyrics of someone who is at war with himself. Violence too is not dumbed down either with the words ‘I’ll crash that f**kin’ airplane at that faggot n**ga b.o.b is in / and stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn oesophagus’, featuring in the second verse. Added with the grungy beats this track is complete; becoming a shocker of an opening song to the album.
The title song 'Goblin' again deals with two separate people. One who is Tyler’s psychiatrist and the other is the 19 year old Tyler. Voice distortion is used for the psychiatrist and the sparse chromatic piano melody against other grating background noises suits the idea that the 19 year old is troubled, angry and confused. On the whole I like the uncertain shift in harmonies as it relates well with the continuously shifting ideas and thoughts of Tyler’s lyrics.
Despite the disappointing repetitive choice of swear words in the otherwise thought-provoking lyrics, the repetitive backing music suits the tone of each piece so well that it is easy to get into the style and mood of Tyler’s album. 'Nightmare' is one of those that has a curiously calming and hypnotic musical background setting while 'Radical' and 'Goblin' both transpose Tyler’s voice tone down; giving added interest for the listener.
To get the most out of this striking album you have to listen to it more than the once by which time you will realise the hidden depths to Tyler’s lyrics and appreciate the minimalist beats.
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