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Volume 72, Issue 112,
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Life & Arts New RJD2 album adds vocals, loses style ‘Third Hand' has a new twist on
his past sounds,
by CHRISTIAN OCHOA
In RJD2's latest album, The Third Hand, he leaves the turntables and heads toward a new direction: a whimsical attempt at a pop album. It's not bubble gum pop heard on the radio; it's him singing with instruments that can't be found on a Mac Powerbook. Most of the scratching found in his last albums is gone, replaced by electronic samples and his voice, which isn't too shabby. Lyrically speaking, The Third Hand approaches common life themes, such as the inconvenience of a public transit strike with "Have Mercy," a slothful man who just watches TV in "Laws of the Gods" or recognizing the value of security as someone ages ("Just When"). Also getting RJD2's attention in this album: love in its entire splendor. From a relationship ("You Never Had It So Good") to illicit love in "Sweet Place." RJD2's contagious energy is present in this album, but it's harder to find than his previous ones. That's not to say that this is a lullaby-filled work, but definitely not one to groove to. But while other artists repeat the same old drag in their albums, RJD2 risks and delves into territory that he has never crossed before. His sings for the first time, but it doesn't overwhelm or hinder the songs. The Third Hand requires a little more work for the listener, but a little patience that goes into listening will yield positive results. It's not a consistent result, and that's where the album's major flaws lie. In whatever the case may be, the album is worth a listen -- even if it just warrants a downloaded copy rather than a purchased one.
The Third Hand Artist: RJD2
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