Tape Two
by Young Fathers
  • Record Label: Anticon
  • Release Date: Jun 11, 2013
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. tormut2
    Mar 9, 2015
    9
    The second of two tapes released on Anticon by Young Fathers in 2013, aptly-titled TAPE TWO, is an excellent piece of music driven by the juxtaposition between pounding chants, tribal drums and a very 21st century level of production and awareness. Individuals songs are kept short and diverse, each track is kept under four minutes and generally includes several variations of the song’sThe second of two tapes released on Anticon by Young Fathers in 2013, aptly-titled TAPE TWO, is an excellent piece of music driven by the juxtaposition between pounding chants, tribal drums and a very 21st century level of production and awareness. Individuals songs are kept short and diverse, each track is kept under four minutes and generally includes several variations of the song’s theme. Between tracks there is little continuity as musical ideas are presented, used and then swept away just as soon as they came. “Come to Life” and “I Heard” are particularly notable offenders of this, as each cuts off right in the middle of the song’s climax to fit with the album’s vicious sense of movement that ultimately isn’t to its detriment or benefit. Lyrically, The tape is as jumpy as its song structures. Each member provides their voice to evoke themes imperialism, family and a grand sense of history and power. Choruses and MC-style vocals are also very common, which creates a very rich and almost improvisational backing that helps make the experience more organic between the synthesizers and heavily processed drums. Speaking of which, the production on TAPE TWO is one of the most fascinating aspects of the release as a whole. Wailing, quivering synthesizer lines that relish in every touch to the keyboard accompanied by drum patterns that are somehow tribal even while simultaneously sounding a bit like a Casio keyboard metronome makes TAPE TWO a very sonically diverse listen. “Mr. Martyr” is a successful blend of both of these elements, beginning with a emotionless kick that gets doubled by a distorted strike to a goat-skin drum and maracas. The pulse of the synthesizer central remains constant through the breakdown when layers of drums and shakers are added along with the long wail of a sine wave. This kind of contrast between the new and old is the central focus of this mixtape and Young Fathers’ work as a whole and is central to what makes it so enjoyable. While every song on the release is not perfect and a few suffer from being under-developed because of length, TAPE TWO as a whole is too interesting to pass up on.… Expand
  2. Shadrach
    Sep 20, 2013
    10
    Amazing new band. These are fresh sounds from a fresh direction, with a world of possibilities for their future. This is just their second of two fairly short tapes on Anticon. Both tapes clock in at a little over an EP length, but not quite an album length. The songs are concise and the production is creatively lo-fi. There is a strong mix of hip hop and electronics, but also someAmazing new band. These are fresh sounds from a fresh direction, with a world of possibilities for their future. This is just their second of two fairly short tapes on Anticon. Both tapes clock in at a little over an EP length, but not quite an album length. The songs are concise and the production is creatively lo-fi. There is a strong mix of hip hop and electronics, but also some more chill layed groove, and some really great vocal work. I really get a feeling, while listening, that I'm witnessing the early days of TV On The Radio as they explore and find the sound they want to pursue.

    There are just so many good ideas here. Some more refined than others, but every one of them is an adventure. Keep an eye out for these guys in the future.    … Collapse
  3. BLeat
    Jul 12, 2013
    7
    This was a new world for me but I keep about 4 songs from these guys. This type of hip hop has to grow on you, and it is growing. This is definitely not Nas illamatic
  4. simonsays
    Jun 15, 2013
    9
    Tracks are really short and to the point. This album is stripped down to what works...and trust me, it works. Only complaint is it feels like sometimes these songs are so short that they pass by before they really sink in, but their short length also ensures they don't have a chance to grow stale so I suppose it's for the best. All in all a great album

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 18, 2013
    85
    Their tracks are short and sharp bursts for the most part, rarely cracking three minutes and crammed with ideas (sometimes to the point of disorientation) but it does mean nothing stagnates and keeping up with the stylistic shifts is an exhilarating task.
    Read full review
  2. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Jun 11, 2013
    91
    You'll soon feel how all those slight musical differentials hoist the group's collective spirit, and how courageously the music's depressive candor strengthens their will to be alive.
    Read full review
  3. DIY Magazine
    Jun 10, 2013
    80
    Tape Two sees them moving further away from a classic De La Soul template into something deeper and darker.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »