Dälek- Abandoned Language (2007)

Electrophonic Tonic · 07-19-2011, 12:00 PM

To check out my review of Dälek's previous album, "Absence", Click Here

Dälek
Abandoned Langauge
2007
Ipecac Records

Dälek and Public Enemy are very much in the same league of rap. They both talk about social issues that plague the black community, while backing their criticisms with inventive, abrasive music to compliment the rage. The similarities do not end here, however. Public Enemy released their angry statement, "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" lost a member, then released the mature, articulate "Fear of a Black Planet". By the release of "Abandoned Language", Dälek has followed a nearly identical career path. The vitriol of "Absence", was followed by turntableist Still leaving the group. Thus we are now here, with 2007's Abandoned Language. And there is no doubt that what "Fear of a Black Planet" is to "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back"; "Abandoned Language" almost is to "Absence".

Compared to "Absence", the noise has been turned down considerably and while the album isn't exactly clean, you can hear the nuances of the backing tracks. Invisible noise and feedback on "Absence" has been replaced by string arrangements and faded sirens. That doesn't mean noise is completely dead on the album. The instrumental 'Lynch' features grating, out of tune violins and cellos over the avant-garde soundscape. Being that the record is more nuanced with it's instrumentation, Dälek can get away with more instrumental time on this album. 25%-30% of this album is instrumental which is by no means a bad thing, as it gives a chance for us to appreciate producer Oktopus and his role in the band. The beats are not nearly as catchy as "Absence", but they're very laid back and have an ironic jazz sensibility to them. His production pulsates a feeling of despair and dread. It's not a soundtrack for hell, but it's certainly the soundtrack for purgatory.

Still's presence is clearly missed, as the samples of speeches and rallies are non-existent for the whole album. While MC dälek still brings his best rhymes as always, he becomes slightly one dimensional with only himself saying anything on the record. He does his best to fill in the dead, soulless atmosphere. That means his words are actually understandable over the production. While there has never been any official relation stated by the band, this album feels heavily influenced by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Much of the album references water rising, flooding, 'whole communities not fed', government apathy, police corruption and the distortion of the truth. One track that does not follow these themes is the brilliant, catchy 'Bricks Crumble', which MC dälek sort of comes clean and admits what he spits can only do so much to chance things.

"Abandoned Language" is a mature effort by Dälek, and is certainly more focused on it's mission that the scatter-shot "Absence". However, Still is dearly missed and while the instrumentation is much more diverse, MC dälek needs some backup to magnify and intensify the words he says. And while the sounds, attitude and circumstances of "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" and "Fear of a Black Planet" are parallel to "Absence" and "Abandoned Language", the quality suffers slightly with Dälek's new album. It's probably Dälek's most accessible album, and will still stun listeners new to Dälek. For those familiar with Dälek: the creatures of Satan in the fires of hell have been replaced by ghosts floating in the mist of a moonless night. That's not a bad thing: but be prepared to hear a different side of Dälek.

8.5/10
----------------------------------------

1. Abandoned Language
2. Bricks Crumble
3. Paragraphs Relentless
4. Content to Play Villain
5. Lynch
6. Stagnant Waters
7. Starved for the Truth
8. Isolated State
9. Corrupt (Knuckle Up)
10. Tarnished
11. (Subversive Script)

Isolated State

Tarnished

LoathsomePete · 07-19-2011, 06:01 PM

I think that's a pretty fair review of the album, I liked how you didn't let it slide for anything or use the excuse that nothing will top Absence.

Electrophonic Tonic · 07-20-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

I think that's a pretty fair review of the album, I liked how you didn't let it slide for anything or use the excuse that nothing will top Absence.

I appreciate the kind words, Pete. I really didn't want to have the theme of the review simply be that this is not as good as "Absence". I thought about it for awhile and the Public Enemy analogy seemed to be a perfect fit, and I went with it from there.

I haven't listened to "Gutter Tactics" or "From Filthy Tongues of Gods and Griots" enough to feel comfortable reviewing yet. But I will have those up, plus the EP "Negro, Necro, Nekros" and the "Untited" album when I'm comfortable. Dalek is too good not to have reviews of their albums on MB.

TockTockTock · 07-21-2011, 11:36 PM

I wish they would collaborate with Keiji Haino... I think that would be pretty interesting to see and... maybe a bit difficult to pull off.

Sneer · 07-22-2011, 02:42 AM

An essential listen for anybody wishing to diverge away from Hip Hop's beaten track. If you like this check out Techno Animal - Brotherhood of the Bomb, an album that delivers a similar sonic assault. Dalek guests on it too.

07-19-2011, 12:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Electrophonic Tonic Your Ad Here Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 876	Dälek- Abandoned Language (2007) To check out my review of Dälek's previous album, "Absence", Click Here Dälek Abandoned Langauge 2007 Ipecac Records Dälek and Public Enemy are very much in the same league of rap. They both talk about social issues that plague the black community, while backing their criticisms with inventive, abrasive music to compliment the rage. The similarities do not end here, however. Public Enemy released their angry statement, "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" lost a member, then released the mature, articulate "Fear of a Black Planet". By the release of "Abandoned Language", Dälek has followed a nearly identical career path. The vitriol of "Absence", was followed by turntableist Still leaving the group. Thus we are now here, with 2007's Abandoned Language. And there is no doubt that what "Fear of a Black Planet" is to "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back"; "Abandoned Language" almost is to "Absence". Compared to "Absence", the noise has been turned down considerably and while the album isn't exactly clean, you can hear the nuances of the backing tracks. Invisible noise and feedback on "Absence" has been replaced by string arrangements and faded sirens. That doesn't mean noise is completely dead on the album. The instrumental 'Lynch' features grating, out of tune violins and cellos over the avant-garde soundscape. Being that the record is more nuanced with it's instrumentation, Dälek can get away with more instrumental time on this album. 25%-30% of this album is instrumental which is by no means a bad thing, as it gives a chance for us to appreciate producer Oktopus and his role in the band. The beats are not nearly as catchy as "Absence", but they're very laid back and have an ironic jazz sensibility to them. His production pulsates a feeling of despair and dread. It's not a soundtrack for hell, but it's certainly the soundtrack for purgatory. Still's presence is clearly missed, as the samples of speeches and rallies are non-existent for the whole album. While MC dälek still brings his best rhymes as always, he becomes slightly one dimensional with only himself saying anything on the record. He does his best to fill in the dead, soulless atmosphere. That means his words are actually understandable over the production. While there has never been any official relation stated by the band, this album feels heavily influenced by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Much of the album references water rising, flooding, 'whole communities not fed', government apathy, police corruption and the distortion of the truth. One track that does not follow these themes is the brilliant, catchy 'Bricks Crumble', which MC dälek sort of comes clean and admits what he spits can only do so much to chance things. "Abandoned Language" is a mature effort by Dälek, and is certainly more focused on it's mission that the scatter-shot "Absence". However, Still is dearly missed and while the instrumentation is much more diverse, MC dälek needs some backup to magnify and intensify the words he says. And while the sounds, attitude and circumstances of "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" and "Fear of a Black Planet" are parallel to "Absence" and "Abandoned Language", the quality suffers slightly with Dälek's new album. It's probably Dälek's most accessible album, and will still stun listeners new to Dälek. For those familiar with Dälek: the creatures of Satan in the fires of hell have been replaced by ghosts floating in the mist of a moonless night. That's not a bad thing: but be prepared to hear a different side of Dälek. 8.5/10 ---------------------------------------- 1. Abandoned Language 2. Bricks Crumble 3. Paragraphs Relentless 4. Content to Play Villain 5. Lynch 6. Stagnant Waters 7. Starved for the Truth 8. Isolated State 9. Corrupt (Knuckle Up) 10. Tarnished 11. (Subversive Script) Isolated State Tarnished Last edited by Electrophonic Tonic; 08-30-2011 at 12:07 PM.

07-19-2011, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	I think that's a pretty fair review of the album, I liked how you didn't let it slide for anything or use the excuse that nothing will top Absence. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

07-22-2011, 02:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	An essential listen for anybody wishing to diverge away from Hip Hop's beaten track. If you like this check out Techno Animal - Brotherhood of the Bomb, an album that delivers a similar sonic assault. Dalek guests on it too. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

07-21-2011, 11:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
TockTockTock They/Them Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,914	I wish they would collaborate with Keiji Haino... I think that would be pretty interesting to see and... maybe a bit difficult to pull off.