Occult Hymn, DANGERDOOM.

A free EP available for download through the Adult Swim page linked to above, Occult Hymn is the result of a compilation between eccentric masked artist MF DOOM and Grey Album producer Danger Mouse. It's seven free songs, which seems to be basically because the entire thing is mixed with clips from and names of Adult Swim shows. (The entire first track is Master Shake talking.)

As this is almost all of the DANGERDOOM that I have heard, a good first impression has been made. The last track (Space Ho's) is inexplicably louder than the rest of the album, which gets annoying, as it is the least interesting of the songs.

I was originally somewhat dubious about two of the seven tracks being skits, though they each turned out to be quite entertaining. The first, an introduction to the album by Aqua Teen's Master Shake, confirms my suspicions that whoever the voice of Shake is is kind of a corporate whore. But I would be too. (He was also in one of the InAction Shorts on the View Askew website, leading to my suspicions in the first place.)

The second, featuring Minoriteam's White Shadow, is somewhat reminiscent of "Swingers." The White Shadow attempts to call DANGERDOOM, wanting him to join his evil team. He is then cut off twice by the answering machine, and ultimately decides he doesn't need DANGERDOOM after all. It's funny, but after a while becomes sort of a dragging sections of the album.

I don't think this thing was intended for the repeated playings I have put it through.

Basically, it's hella good for something FREE, and lord knows I love free stuff. I love both MF DOOM and Danger Mouse. The Grey Album was what really got me into rap, more namely into Jay-Z, and I still say St. Elsewhere is one of the best albums I've heard. And, though limited, my exposure to MF DOOM has made me love him as well. Gorillaz' November Has Come, to me, personifies the beauty of rap. It just keeps going, it has no plot or story or anything. It's just rhymes upon rhymes, interspersed with a chorus similar to that of "Feel Good Inc.," only slower.

In short, better than most of the free albums I've gotten while staying within the law.