"Aisle 10 (Hello Allison)," the first single from this sophomore album, is everything you'd hope for from a Grand Royal signing. Over a loping funk track, Marty James raps about being crushed out on a customer at his da... more »y job, leading his Jonathan Richman-style narrative to a whopper of a pop chorus. Okeeblow has more than that surprise up its sleeve. Like out-there hip-hoppers from Basehead to Beck, James lets his eclectic palette of sounds flow in an unself-conscious way. Bluesy licks, early-'70s soul keyboards, Chili Peppers-esque balladry, and even an overreaching bite of "Moonlight Sonata" are all present and accounted for. James's book of words ranges similarly far and wide, supplying not only the cry for "help in aisle 10," but a parodic account of meeting a 10-year-old who immediately outstreets him ("Star 6") and a sketch of homeless life ("Freeway"). While the ambition here isn't always up to the execution, it's hard not to keep coming back for a taste of James's enthusiasm and overflow of ideas. --Rickey Wright« less
"Aisle 10 (Hello Allison)," the first single from this sophomore album, is everything you'd hope for from a Grand Royal signing. Over a loping funk track, Marty James raps about being crushed out on a customer at his day job, leading his Jonathan Richman-style narrative to a whopper of a pop chorus. Okeeblow has more than that surprise up its sleeve. Like out-there hip-hoppers from Basehead to Beck, James lets his eclectic palette of sounds flow in an unself-conscious way. Bluesy licks, early-'70s soul keyboards, Chili Peppers-esque balladry, and even an overreaching bite of "Moonlight Sonata" are all present and accounted for. James's book of words ranges similarly far and wide, supplying not only the cry for "help in aisle 10," but a parodic account of meeting a 10-year-old who immediately outstreets him ("Star 6") and a sketch of homeless life ("Freeway"). While the ambition here isn't always up to the execution, it's hard not to keep coming back for a taste of James's enthusiasm and overflow of ideas. --Rickey Wright
Jax M. (Destructa) from SAN JOSE, CA Reviewed on 9/18/2008...
In the vein of 311, Crazy Town, and Everlast, Scapegoat has a direct but melodic rapping style as well as proto-Maroon 5 sound. Feel-good urban production. He also dares to use the sitar, rhyme with "orange", and disclose what an "Okeeblow" actually is.
CD Reviews
HOT Scapegoat Wax CD!
08/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The talent the Beastie Boys scout for their record label typically matches their own musical tastes -- and Scapegoat Wax is one of their noteworthy finds. Fresh from Chico's house-party circuit, Wax's Marty James has cultivated an album of diverse styles. On Okeeblow, co-produced with Beasties collaborator Mario Caldato, Jr., James can hop-scotch from rap to hip-hop to '70s funk with admirable agility. "Freeway" is a D'Angelo-style R&B soul track, complete with falsetto harmonies; "Crawling" is an acoustic guitar-driven ballad along the lines of Incubus' "Drive." Despite the requisite scratching and genre-bending, Okeeblow doesn't sound sample-heavy. When he raps on "Evelyn" and "Almost Fine," James fits in with progressive rappers like Outkast and the Roots, who tend to avoid samples in favor of live instrumentation. However, both "Crawling" and "Space to Share" -- while demonstrating James' ability to write and perform well in different genres -- fail to mesh with the otherwise seamless hip-hop-DJ vibe. Lyrically and stylistically, Scapegoat Wax best relates to artists like Beck and the Beastie Boys, wacky alchemists who successfully transcend musical boundaries."
HOT Scapegoat WAX!
08/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Awesome album, everyone! Scapegoat Wax Okeeblow (Grand Royal) Goes well with: The Roots, Everlast, Beck's Midnite Vultures The talent the Beastie Boys scout for their record label typically matches their own musical tastes -- and Scapegoat Wax is one of their noteworthy finds. Fresh from Chico's house-party circuit, Wax's Marty James has cultivated an album of diverse styles. On Okeeblow, co-produced with Beasties collaborator Mario Caldato, Jr., James can hop-scotch from rap to hip-hop to '70s funk with admirable agility. "Freeway" is a D'Angelo-style R&B soul track, complete with falsetto harmonies; "Crawling" is an acoustic guitar-driven ballad along the lines of Incubus' "Drive." Despite the requisite scratching and genre-bending, Okeeblow doesn't sound sample-heavy. When he raps on "Evelyn" and "Almost Fine," James fits in with progressive rappers like Outkast and the Roots, who tend to avoid samples in favor of live instrumentation. However, both "Crawling" and "Space to Share" -- while demonstrating James' ability to write and perform well in different genres -- fail to mesh with the otherwise seamless hip-hop-DJ vibe. Lyrically and stylistically, Scapegoat Wax best relates to artists like Beck and the Beastie Boys, wacky alchemists who successfully transcend musical boundaries."
Fresh perfection
Nick Danger | New York, NY | 08/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How can I even start to explain how brilliant this record is? I got it a few weeks ago, along with several punk/emo cd's, and this is the one I've been listening to the most. It's fun, it's intriguing, it's thought-provoking, and it's perfect. Marty James has the freshest sound to come out in a long time, mixing a variety of styles to produce the next level of hip-hop. This CD isn't about rapping or rhyming, although he can do both with ease. It's about production. There are plenty of layers to be heard, including an amalgam of live instruments and preset loops.Who should buy this cd? Anyone who appreciates music. Scapegoat Wax has such a universal feel, that I'm pretty sure I could go song by song and say, "Oh this sounds like so-and-so," yet every track belongs with each other, completing a sequence of emotions and attitudes. Thanks to Scapegoat Wax, I have a renewed faith in hip-hop's ability to reinvent itself. Or maybe I should say Marty James' ability to reinvent music."
Finally something Really new
Joel Nelson | 06/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I haven't bought an album of new music which I like every song on for years but every song on this album I'm going to listen to again and again till my CD player gives up. The chorus for Aisle 10 will crawl inside your head and never leave. All the tracks are excellent (and well produced; I noticed the Beastie Boys producer on a few cuts) but when you listen to the lyrics you realise this isn't some big headed pop star but an ordinary guy from a small town (Chico, California) talking about his own life with humor and humility. Imagine that, hip-hop without the bloated ego. I never liked hip-hop and my housemate never listens to anything but hip-hop. We both love Okeeblow. Marty James is the real thing without the real EGO. I recomend this album to everyone."
One of the best CD's you can buy.
drew rath | Cincinnati, OH | 07/12/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Scapegoat wax's approach to hip-hop/motown/ska is really creative. He's one of those musicians where you can't classify him, but he's just out on his own. Okeeblow goes from the rap induced "star 6", to the hit single "aisle 10(hello allison)",and continues with hit after hit, I've never pressed the skip button once throughout this CD. This music is great driving music, lounging music, party music, it's everything, it's so fresh and creative. BUY IT! It's the best purchase you'll make!"