Wilson Project – Shark vs. Albatross
Well, the Wilson Project boys have been pretty busy these past couple years since they dropped Vol. 2: Four Maps. Busy getting better, that is with their new record Shark vs. Albatross.
For those not versed in the ways of the Wilson, the group is composed of three emcees (KPD, Phil Blank and Nomad XIII), two producers (Camel Lite and Dozer, who rhymes on a few tracks) and one turntablist (DJ Booger). The six members combine to form ethereal, heavy hip hop with some dashes of industrial for flavor.
Dozer’s production skills have grown exponentially since their last effort into something wonderful. His beats have transformed into lush, profound soundscapes with haunting pianos, guitar stabs and kick drums to make your ears bleed. There’s a lot of elements in Dozer’s production—a quality that can sometimes be overwhelming. So much is going on in the instrumentals that the emcees’ vocals are sometimes drowned out, trying desperately to surface. In a wider scope, though, Dozer’s beats serve as more than fitting backdrops for the emcees’ sinister, often gloomy lyrics. Camel Lite provides simple but effective instrumental interludes that offer a welcome break from the vocal barrage.
Each lyricist in the group has a distinct style that can stand strong on its own—KPD the gruff voiced poetic philosopher, Phil Blank the percussive lyricist with a swift tongue and Nomad the slurring, tongue in cheek, what-the-hell-you-looking-at rapper, but when they’re combined, the chemistry in undeniable.
Wilson Project is doing big things for Bellingham. Now if they’d only do more shows…
