The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen - Superconductor EP

By: Brandon Backhaus

It’s been established that I like hip hop. That being said there are so many people playing that annoying copy game your little brother used to play on you where you just repeat what the last person said and then get punched in the dick. I get bored with rap a lot. It's the same format, same chunky classical music sample repeating in a never ending loop, same breaks, same lame topics, same stupid chants, same fat dudes in clothes that are too big waving around their spam sammiches. On the other side of the spectrum, I've managed to never have tried on pairs of skinny anything. And I'm not really planning on it.

It’s why I got so high on Astronautalis, Ceschi, and friends. The sound is different. All of the essentials are there. The sensibility. The head nod. The lyrical dexterity. But there is something even more going on. A progression, and not only for progression’s sake because, if I hear one more cat come off like I don’t understand his music because he’s experimental, I’m going to fucking start mouth-raping Tom’s teddy bear collection.

What I mean by progression, is something that I haven’t heard, seen, or felt before. With the democratization of music in full swing and up for debate, this is becoming increasingly difficult. Most of the progress I’ve been drawn towards involves melody. From Astro’s bluesy swoon, to Ceschi’s folk-drenched sentiments, singing has come to indie hip hop and in a distinctly non-R&B, Usher-esque or featured female way. Doseone’s new record reflects all of the progress from nasally fast-rapper to Notwisted space crooner.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen isn’t that. SuperConductor makes its contributions through the music. Collaborations with electronic musicians and their trademark squelching, and stabbing, and digital swirls and bleeps have me really excited. 13 and God was my shit! Superconductor, a collaboration between rapper NOTE from Cleveland and Simon Muschinsky of Denmark’s, When The Saints Go Machine, has been released on LA’s Proximal records, and it straight up slaps.

This is something I’d bump in the ride with friends on the way out or on the road. Something that would get me the approving nod from DJ Troma in the passenger seat. Something to keep the spirits up and the gas pedal down. From electronic vocal effects to skittish breaky beats, the combo is a match married at the altar of the future.

The raps aren’t anything revolutionary, no big time Fellowship-esque chops, or Sage Francis-style poetic wordplay, but they fit. Sometimes that’s all you need. NOTE does his job as an emcee and delivers a consistent, inventive flow and an great ear for the beat. "My Way" is my favorite track, lyrically.

Ultimately, it’s something about the combination of these two that gets me. Then it hit me. Dude, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a steamy transatlantic bromance! With NOTE in Cleveland and Muschinsky probably running away from Gargamel or some shit (I'm kidding.. I think he lives in LA!) these two suitors couldn't be more different. But like MC Skat Cat and Paula Abdul before them, these two opposites have undeniably attracted! On Superconductor, the creative energy is prevalent and infectious. The result is something that might stick to Joel’s forehead if you licked it real good.

Don’t expect to have your mind blows you smart little fucker, you. Don’t expect this to be some kind of ecstasy mustache ride either. But The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen's, Superconductor knocks. It’s fun. It sounds cool. Put it on and roll. Play it for your roommates. Invite girls over. Live a little, you boring Fuck.