Rjd2 - The Third Hand Album Review

RJD2
The Third Hand
Album Review

Okay.I'm starting to get a li'l tired of deeming albums as 'coming of age' records.so I'll try another angle. Here we see RJD2, with his 3rd long player, 'The Third Hand'. In an unexpected move, he has parted ways with leftfield hip-hop label Def Jux (stands for Definitive Juxtaposition, for those who don't know.) and has joined XL Recordings enrolment list, among the likes of Thom York, Various Productions, M.I.A, Prodigy, and many more incredible acts.

When I got this album, I was sceptical; I mean the sound he's known for has been done to death, even if he did have his own spin on things. These preconceptions were soon dissipated upon first listen. Recorded entirely in his own studio, with him contributing instruments, and taking spotlight as sole vocalist. A brave move, but one I feel has served him well. It looks like he left the hip-hop at Def Jux, and found himself at XL.good stuff.

If you're expecting the same breaks ridden tomfoolery you have come to expect from RJD2, then you'll be sadly disappointed. The drums and percussion on this album are a lot more integral, woven into the music as opposed to just playing along side. There's a whole host of new influences apparent in this album, most prominent perhaps, is the Beatles, along with some of their peers, The Doors, Cream, etc, etc. This is great to hear, as it was his prog rock influences that kept me listening to his earlier releases, I often felt that the use of MC's and scratches cheapened what he was doing, but there's none of that here. 'The Third Hand' sounds like a band effort, each instrument knowing its place, an altogether more cohesive sound. Okay.so if you like General Electrics, Limp Twins, early Hot Chip, and Herbert.then chances are you will enjoy this.don't believe me? You'll be surprised.

-Thom Holmes