Album Details

• Artist: The Anarchist Republic Of Bzzz
• Album: The Anarchist Republic Of Bzzz
• Label: Important
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2012-01-01

For guitar-heads, the very idea of Marc Ribot and Arto Lindsay collaborating on a record is enough to load up their diapers. That these two legends mix it up with a couple experimental rappers on a set of fifteen tracks (and their remixes) that lay waste to dub, free jazz, hip-hop and noise-and most other labels as well-is too good to be true. While the new self-titled release by The Anarchist Republic of Bzzz is not completely, instantly classic-(and really, what can be today, since only the shit truly reaches maximum exposure?) this is a snarky, smart display of chops and well-earned freedom to do whatever one wants. With The Anarchist Republic of Bzzz, the listener is similarly liberated.

Sensational and Mike Ladd help make "Body Plastic Sandles" and "Yguduh" dark but smart ambient rants, and their wry raps delivered over the abrasive skronk of "Creole Rocket", "Fascist" and "Sail Away Ladies" brings a slap of wit and wisdom not heard much outside of Mr. Lif or the Beasties. Musically it is Lindsay's DNA-era no-wave that dominates more than Ribot's more mercurial phases, though this is reminiscent of his "Yo! I Killed Your God" period of irreverent grime.

Seb El Zin's production is murky but sharp, downbeats providing the sonic trampoline from which both raps and guitars follow their own dark purposes. They have been around for almost ten years, but this debut was worth the wait. "The Anarchist Republic of Bzzz" is challenging and dizzying, smug and insightful, like most fearless records.

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