Artist: Kid Koala
Album: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Genre: Electronic, Hip-Hop, Turntablism
This is a special review as it was a request. This album is an underrated gem that's a decade old which manages to maintain it's shine, so I had no problem giving it a review to bring it up to the public's eye. This album is an electronic album with hip-hop beats manipulated by a turntable, in-fact it's the first turntablist album I've heard so I had no idea what to expect. In general turntablism is tough for a casual listener due to the subtle nuances associated with the techniques. The average listener, for instance, will find it hard to discern the difference between a good turntablist and a bad one. Kid Koala though makes turntablism not only highly accessible, but it's clear he's very good at what he's doing.
The album feels like a lazy summer day, in a very good way. The mellow beats and melodies are perfect for simply kicking back and enjoying your air conditioner. What makes this album great is how fluid it is. Despite the vast amounts of miscellaneous dialog and samples, Kid Koala manages to blend them together for a fantastic mix that simply works. The samples really have nothing to do with one another, but Kid Koala's slick turntable work somehow provides the magic necessary to make them work. What makes this album even better is the choice of skits, often poking fun at his style of music in a tongue in cheek manner before displaying excellent turntablism skill.
There's nothing particular that stands out about this album, it's truly one of those albums that must be listened to from beginning until the end. This, in my opinion, is a greater feat than simply having 2-3 amazing tracks in the slew of mediocrity. This album is highly recommended for kicking back on those lazy days.
3.5/5 Bits
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