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Fear Of A Black Tangent
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 2 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Mush
Release Date: 22 February 2005
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rap
Summary
'Fear' is the second solo disc for the unique Los Angeles-based MC (born Regan Farquhar), who is backed here by beats from Daedelus, Danger Mouse, and others.
Also By This Artist: Jhelli Beam Roadkill Overcoat
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Sonically, Fear Of A Black Tangent represents a massive leap forward for Busdriver.
Read Full Review >Spin
The rapper's inborn goofiness just gives his words more bite. [Mar 2005, p.85]
cokemachineglow
His delivery is exhilarating, but it made me nervous, jittery. It’s kind of like Miles Davis scatting, but instead of a trumpet he’s playing the entire writing staff of The Simpsons.
Read Full Review >Urb
[An] outstanding album. [Mar 2005, p.110]
Drowned In Sound
The beats seem genuinely fresh and the dextrously speedy rapping is original and scathing in equal measure while the singalong aspect is more than evident.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Busdriver is either an emcee from the future or the future of the emcee.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
He typically sounds like David Allan Grier with amyl nitrate in the air. Our man raps in an "ohmygawd this is sooo ridiculous" tone that can make you either think he is a jackass or a jester. My instincts say it's the latter.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
The album is one of the few anti-industry freakouts that have appealed to me on both a conceptual and musical level, so whether or not you are familiar with Busdriver’s skittering flow or innovative song structure, it’s worth the time to see why he’s so damn mad after all.
Read Full Review >Neumu.net
His guffawing voice makes him sound like every rhyme he delivers is a punchline.
Read Full Review >Splendid
Usually entertaining, often thought-provoking, and occasionally insightful.
Read Full Review >Uncut
A tough job hitting both funny and funky bone at once, but they mostly pull it off. [Apr 2005, p.102]
All Music Guide
The negativity removes the focus from Busdriver's sizable musical talents and rests it squarely on his lyricism and themes (not a good idea).
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
scott gave it a9:
This is one of those albums that manages to gain many fans outside it's intended audience. Regardless of your feellngs on rap and hip hop check this album out. Check out the lyric booklet before you pass off the quick rapping as a novelty. He's just packing all his thoughts in as little time as possible. One of the best so far this year.
Hans van D. gave it a9:
This guy is awesome. Clever, witty, and an excellent rapper. Listen to this is you like good music.
