Fear Of A Black Tangent
by Busdriver
  • Record Label: Mush
  • Release Date: Feb 22, 2005
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. The A.V. Club
    90
    Sonically, Fear Of A Black Tangent represents a massive leap forward for Busdriver.
  2. Spin
    83
    The rapper's inborn goofiness just gives his words more bite. [Mar 2005, p.85]
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  3. cokemachineglow
    82
    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.
  5. Playlouder
    80
    He has humour and cerebral sharpness in spades.
  6. Urb
    80
    [An] outstanding album. [Mar 2005, p.110]
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  7. Drowned In Sound
    80
    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.
  8. Dusted Magazine
    80
    Some of the most likable “weird hip-hop” around.
  9. PopMatters
    80
    Busdriver is either an emcee from the future or the future of the emcee.
  10. Pitchfork
    79
    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.
  11. Stylus Magazine
    75
    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.
  12. Neumu.net
    70
    His guffawing voice makes him sound like every rhyme he delivers is a punchline.
  13. Splendid
    70
    Usually entertaining, often thought-provoking, and occasionally insightful.
  14. Uncut
    60
    A tough job hitting both funny and funky bone at once, but they mostly pull it off. [Apr 2005, p.102]
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  15. AllMusic
    50
    The negativity removes the focus from Busdriver's sizable musical talents and rests it squarely on his lyricism and themes (not a good idea).

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. scott
    Mar 30, 2005
    9
    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 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.… Full Review »
  2. HansvanD.
    Mar 24, 2005
    9
    This guy is awesome. Clever, witty, and an excellent rapper. Listen to this is you like good music.
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