January 03, 2005 @ 11:57 am

Mos Def- The New Danger (Geffen)

by: Andrew Simon

Since the release of his acclaimed ’99 solo debut, Black on Both Sides, Mos Def has built a following with his Renaissance man image.

Since the release of his acclaimed ’99 solo debut, Black on Both Sides, Mos Def has built a following with his Renaissance man image. Unfortunately, his disorienting sophomore effort, The New Danger, may scare off his devoted fans. Steered by the raucous production of Minnesota and instrumentals by the Black Jack Johnson band (drummer Will Calhoun, guitarist Dr. Know, and keyboardist Bernie Worrell), Danger largely sounds like a drug-induced, incoherent jam session. Buzz-saw guitars and psychedelic effects clutter “Zimzallabim,” “Ghetto Rock,” and “Freaky Black,” on which lyrics such as “Ghetto people, this one’s for you” are headscratchers. The Beatnuts–assisted “War” begins promisingly with a rowdy, bongo-driven beat, but then ends up in a guitar-feedback frenzy with Mos screaming, “Fuck you, pay me!” Danger’s highlights include the jazzy, introspective “Boogie Man Song,” where Mos tenderly sings, “Feed me, fuck me, love me, touch me,” and the hip hop blues of “Black Jack.” Unfortunately, they hardly rescue the album from its manic feel. Will the old Mos Def please stand up?

Article tags: Mos, Def, New, Danger, Geffen

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