Search - Why? :: Alopecia

"To those last ten years, I've been howling at a paper moon.

Kevin Satterwhite | Houston, TX United States | 05/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's amazing how much Anticon as a group of artists and label have grown. I remember being a fan of Yoni Wolf many years ago when he was more of an impact behind the scenes rather than center stage. Back when he was the sole individual under the moniker Why?, Dose One was way too eccentric, and Sole was the stud of Anticon.



For those completely unfamiliar with Anticon, Yoni or Why?. Anticon is an indepedent label in which Yoni Wolf started with others and still maintains today. Why? is an experimental electronic band (they're not hip hop), which of course is on the Anticon label. The base of their music is electronics and they experiment with vocals, lyrics, timing, and rhythms. Usually, it's quite serendipitous. I'm all about allowing artists the freedom to experiment how they desire, it's the greatest element of Indie music.



Why? still represents Yoni Wolf but not solely. Why? is now a three piece act, which includes Yoni's brother, Josiah Wolf, and friend, Doug McDiarmid. With the addition of these band mates, Why? is showing it's diversity and maturation.



Three years ago, "Elephant Eyelash" was their first collective release and is still amazing. "Alopecia" (which is a medical term for baldness) is definitely a positive leap forward for the band. This release is by far more cohesive, accessible, catchy, melodic, constant, you name it. It's better. Some of Why?s best songs are featured here. I can even go as far to say that Why? have finally outdone Subtle this year. Subtle of course being a surprisingly popular experimental band by Dose One (Yoni's partner in cLOUDEAD and an original Anticon member). While neither are in competition of each other, it's very noteworthy as Dose One has been a beneficiary of boost in fame these past few years. Perhaps, now it is Yoni and Why?s turn in the spotlight. I think so....



Standouts are: "A Sky For Shoeing Horses Under", "The Vowels, Pt. 2", "The Hollow", "By Torpedo or Crohn's", "Simeon's Dilemma", "Good Friday", among others."

Impossibly great. Pure GENIUS.

R. Mahieu | Seattle, WA | 05/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why?'s album Alopecia (meaning 'bald') is a lush, dark, and refreshing album. With so many rap albums with filler, and so many indie rock albums just going thru the motions, this album is absolutely necessary in 2008. Don't ever try to classify this album, genre-wise. It is full of completely off-the-wall lyrics, masterminded keyboards, catchy choruses, etc. The album blends together perfectly. The album opens with "The Vowels, Pt 2", laid out over a nice beat, with some nice effects and guitar twang throughout, nicely blending into "Good Friday", a straight-up hip hop track, with lyrics that he wouldn't "admit to his shrink", and a chorus that follows no formula but works like no other in recent memory. Track 3 ("These Few Presidents") opens up with upbeat drums, keyboards, and melody; however, the lyrics, as happy as they sound, are as close to a depiction of a murder-suicide one can get. Unforgettable lyric: "Even though I haven't seen you in years/Your's is a funeral I'd fly to from anywhere". Potential for a new genre exists within these 3 minutes and 4 seconds. Track 4, The Hollows, is easily the most accessible song, with a Dr. Dre sounding beat, and some nice lyrics, and a typical hip-hop chorus. Track 5 is deeply disturbing, lyrically, and inspiring musically. The piano is stellar here, as if the Beatles decided to back Why? for a song (reminds me of 'A Day In The Life', off its antidepressants). Gnashville is another hip-hop track, best listened to on headphones for the backing tracks. Fatalist Palmistry finds Why? crooning with the best of them, singing "I sleep on my back because it's good for the spine/and coffin rehearsal", with a playful chorus and beat, actually sounds like Of Montreal a bit. The Fall of Mr Fifths, is a nice hip hop track, with some stream-of-consciousness lyrics, that at the same time seem well thought out. Brook and Waxing has my favorite line recently: "While I'm alive I'll feel alive/And what's next/I guess I'll know once I've gotten there". This track has a nice instrumental break at the end, leading to A Sky For Shoeing Horses Under and 28, two ok tracks. Simeon's Dilemma is truly a masterpiece, albeit a stalker's anthem. Try to tell Mr Wolf that he's not in a boy-band... I think he forgot on verse 1. This songs pairs nicely with Death Cab For Cutie's stalker-anthem "I Will Possess Your Heart". By Torpedo or Crohn's/Exegesis are paired at the end, and are a nice way to end an album that shouldn't end. This is one of the most ground-breaking, inspired, well-produced album this decade. Why? may very well be a genius, and may "Go unknown by Torpedo or Crohn's". Highly recommended."

WHY haven't I heard of this before?

G. Twiford | Memphis TN | 10/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know about "genius," but this is actually a very satisfying, quirky collection of songs. Highlights include "These Few Presidents," "The Hollows," "Fatalist Palmistry," and "Brook & Waxing." Basically if you've been looking through your CDs lately, yearning for some variety, something different and exciting, as I was, maybe you should check this one out."