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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 2002)
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BROOKHAVEN • CEDAR VALLEY • EASTRELD • EL CENTRO MOUNTTAIN VIEW • NORTH LAKE • RICHLAND • DALLAS TELECOLLEGE The Dallas County Community College District RN 4A Tuesday, April 30, 2002 M THE A( y AGGI THE E ONTHLOt X-Ecutioners Built From Scratch Loud Records With no vocalist and little production, the X- Ecutioners defy the traditional concept of a rap group. A quartet of DJs comprised of Rob Swift, Total Eclipse, Roc Raida and Mista Sinista, previously known as the X-Men, has been bubbling just under the mainstream's radar for the better part of a decade. Its series of underground solo efforts, group projects and guest appearances landed the X-Ecutioners a deal with Loud Records, one of hip-hop's preeminent labels. The time to shine is now. With its first major label album, Built From Scratch, it attempts to do just that. The record starts off in predictable fashion: a simple break beat with vocal samples scratched and juggled on top. Not surprisingly, all the samples are taken from the records of other Loud artists like Mobb Deep and Raekwon, thus avoiding massive sampling fees. This familiar routine functions as a segue of sorts for the length of the album, linking the songs and giving the LP an air of spontaneity. But a glance at the liner notes reveals that the X-Men were not responsible for track one; rather, they let another turntablist group, Triple Threat, open for them. The second track, "XL," gets things started with a vintage beat by Large Professor. In a rare vocal appearance. Extra P drops lyrics that leave the listener wondering why he does not pick up the mic more often. Rob Swift handles the scratching on this one, and the X-Men are on the board. After more turntables, the album presents the first of several outstanding cuts such as, "A Journey Into Sound," which feature beat box ing by Kenny Muhammed, a.k.a. The Human Orchestra. This lost art is hip-hop at its finest. Next, in what has become the Achilles heel of the modern hip-hop album, the X- Ecutioners include a skit that is neither funny nor necessary. This idiocy is forced on the lis tener twice more before the album ends, to similar results. Before too long, things get back on track with the suitably raucous "Let It Bang" featuring M.O.P. The energy this group brings is the rap equivalent of heavy metal. The listener is treated to another quality guest appear ance. This time it is Dan The Automator providing the backdtcc "X-Ecutioners' Theme Song." The LP serves up several other note songs, including "The X (Y'all Know T i Name)," an exceptional posse cut feat.; Pharoahe Monch, Xzibit, Inspectah Dedr: [Mad] Skillz, and the previously-releasedr "Dramacyde," a teaming of rap legendsKoo Rap and Big Pun (R.I.P.). Fat Man Scoops! shows up to do what he does best, the crowd on the infectious "Play That Be; In addition to the skits, the albumisfc in other areas. The boredom-inducing la! single, "It's Coin' Down," featuring Linkinfji is a blatant attempt to capitalize on the metal hysteria that most hip-hop fans hope would be over by now. In a bizarre duetl:r Tom Club is enlisted to perform a renM: its 1981 hit "Genius of Love" with the tt- ical Biz Markie. This cut has no value ob? than providing some of the humor that5:' famous for. Appearances by DJ Premier an: Everlast are similarly disappointing Basically an album of songs by variw artists linked by the constant scratching*’: juggling of the DJs, Built From Scratchi 1 closer to a mix-tape than a rap albur Judged in this manner, it is above averagi easily defeating the standard DJ Clue or Jo' Touch tape. However, given that this'm tape" had major label support, it si judged as an album. Hip-hop puristswillf themselves torn between the mastery some of the art-form's basic elements* the gross commercialism represented - songs like "It's Coin' Down." However,life listener can overlook the LP's few fac- what remains is a relatively res P ecta ' : debut worthy of a spin or two. (Grade B- -Gate Patte^B Th Sug bac pris mcl Col to v ent opt will swe Si not but me Har the tap ele< TT Alw has Chri sine the rodi Le The timr and 20C why albi pie, Train, Alien Ant Farm win at California Music Awards OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Train, the Grammy Award-winning San Francisco rock band, took home several top honors at the California Music Awards, including best album for its Drops of Jupiter. Train's lead singer, Pat Monahan, also won an award Saturday for outstanding male vocalist, and the group took home the outstanding song writer award. No Doubt's energetic front- woman, Gwen Stefani, won for outstanding female vocalist. The award for outstanding group went to the award show's perennial favorites from San PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Jose, Smash Mouth. East Bay punkers Green Day, which made its mark in Oakland's ware house district, won for artist of the year. Southern California's Alien Ant Farm won best hard rock/heavy metal album and best debut album. "I can't believe we beat Tool," said band member Terry Corso, referring to the band's rival in the hard rock category. "What up with that?" Woody Allen acknowledges fans overseas RADNOR, Pa. (AP) - Director Woody Allen said he has no idea why his biggest fans tend to be from overseas, rather than in the United States. "It's one of those ine things," Allen told TV^ May 4 issue' "People always like imported things better. We think that imported cheese, imported wine is better by virtue of the fact that its ^ACwi'llbeprese^ movie. Hollywood^ opening night ottn Festival next month u The 66-year-old drea . star of such films as JJ] Annie Hall and Mig^ said he has no pi^ writing anytime soo^ don vr •s'i' of ideas," he said, been what I've done' life, but primarily I m CLASS OF 20( After all your finals are over come dance night away at May 11, 2002 9pm — lam Rudder Exhibit Hall nff\ ce Tickets are NOW on sale at the MSC Box 6 for $15. You can also preorder pictures o and $22. y