MC Lars - The Laptop EP

Lars has a new album coming out soon, and he recently put all the MP3s from his first release under his current specific moniker up on his website for download. So uh, I downloaded them. It's a seven-song EP, although two also appear on The Graduate. They mark a big step in production value from Radio Pet Fencing, and the starting point for the repertoire he uses now when performing live. There's some solid beats and catchy choruses to be found, and some interesting sampling and experimenting with other genres. I have to appreciate a rapper who will do a track about Edgar Allen Poe in front of a guitar riff from a Brand New song. "Signing Emo" is probably one of his most popular songs, and has some clever lyrics along with a chorus from a fake punk band that managed to fool some people into trying to book them. "iGeneration" and "Hurricane Fresh" are also both songs sampling rock bands that are popular live. "Stat-60" is less commonly heard but gives Lars definite nerd cred for rhyming about math class, and "Straight Outta Stockholm" is a self-aggrandizing rap but with a nice sound to it, encapsulating well Lars' attitude and outlook. The Laptop EP is a really quick and enjoyable lesson, and there's no reason not to listen when he's giving it to you for free.

MC Lars - Radio Pet Fencing

Radio Pet Fencing was indie nerd rapper MC Lars' first album that he didn't release by himself, and the last before he dropped "Horris" from his moniker. They had to stop selling it because they didn't have the rights to the samples used, but Lars put it up on his site for free anyway, although it's since been taken down. It's pretty lo-fi in places, with simplistic beats and a pretty basic vocal flow usually. Still, Lars' smart lyrics, unusual song topics, and musical creativity make it more enjoyable to listen to than you might expect. His ability to string together rhymes seamlessly isn't as natural as many stronger rappers, but there's still plenty to get out of even his early work. It's not even all rap, with "Mr. Wormsly's Addiction" being a pretty good rock instrumental.

"Hey That's Me" is the standard self-focused track, although the subjects of his bragging, such as a high SAT score, are a bit nontraditional, and includes samples from various kids' comedies. "Yes I Am an Alien" is another clever song, with a chorus that would later be reprised in The Graduate's "Space Game". It has a nice mix of rap and indie rock elements. "Certified" is a pretty long track, with cool instrumental elements and excerpts from some sort of bizarrely uninformative video warning about the danger faced by infants. "Rapbeth (Foul is Fair)" is about a play by Shakespeare with a chorus that anyone should be able to recognize. "Sarah" is a very personal-sounding song that still manages to be very entertaining, and "Escape From Robot Island" is a funny, catchy track, including guest vocals from one of Lars' friends who tends to mumble since he can't really rap as fast as he tries to. I've seen Lars live twice, but both times he performed more recent songs, so it was cool to hear some of his earlier work.

Music Update 2: GrassRoots 2007

Every year at my town there's a four-day music festival called GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance featuring mostly local acts, though usually with at least one performer well-known elsewhere. They donate profits to fund AIDS research and other worthy causes, and it's a nice way to come together and hear some good music. I hadn't actually gone before, but I decided to check out a day of it this year. Here are the acts I saw.

Bubba George Stringband


If you've heard one stringband, you pretty much know what it's all about. They play various stringed instruments proficiently and entertainingly for a while, you enjoy it a bit, and then you move on. They were definitely good at their jobs and it was pretty entertaining for a while, though it wasn't really memorable. They're actually a pretty good act for a secondary stage at a music festival, they keep the audience necessary while leaving them free to see something they actually came for if they want to.

John & Mary


Or John & Mary & The Valkyries, as they were with the people they performed with. They were pretty good folksy-rock with nice female vocals. The drummer was pretty damn good, although he took forever to get everything set right. The lead guitar was also quite nice, and they were a nice warm-up for one of the acts I actually came to see.

The Sutras


They performed at a smaller stage at GrassRoots a couple years ago and a friend raved about it, giving them an A+. I was looking forward to seeing them, and they didn't disappoint. They're pretty awesome indie rock, with a variety of sounds. The rhythm section kicked ass, both bass and drums rocking it the whole time. Their two guitarists had their own styles, but both did well keeping the music going. The vocalist played a variety of instruments, trumpet, keyboard, trumpet and keys at the same time (awesome), guitar, and this weird thing that made differently pitched whistles the closer his hand got to it. I have no idea what it was, but it added a nice, strange sound to some songs, and he even played it with his face at one point. It didn't matter what he played, they always sounded unique and great while maintaining the cohesion a good band should. They did an encore with a David Bowie song (he does sound kind of like him), and it was a wrap on a really amazing show.

Bearfoot


I only caught the end of their set, which featured a similar sound to Bubba George with some harmonized female singing. It was pretty well played and inoffensive for the about ten minutes I heard before they wrapped up.

Thousands of One


Another great show. They had about ten guys on stage who all worked together to create a nice dancing environment, perfect for the Dance Tent venue. I'm not sure how good the bassist actually was but I've never seen one more crucial to setting the tone for the rest of the act. He laid down great lines like it was nothing. They were kind of like funk hip-hop. The main vocalist was quite proficient at both rapping and singing, and he had good backup. The saxophonist was awesome, and the guitarists and percussionists helped fill out the sound. It was a lot of fun without getting too chaotic, and they got into really great jams that could last forever. The crowd really loved it, and it was a fun, energizing performance.

MC Lars


Along with MC Chris, Lars is one of the biggest names in the nerdcore rap scene, so it was really cool to see him come to my home town. The crowd was really into it and it was an entertaining show. Lars isn't the most amazing technical rapper, but he's definitely adequate and he's enjoyable more for his intelligent, comical lyrics and good beats. Between songs he regaled the audience with funny segways before getting back to the music. He had a drummer and guitarist with him, and they provided a nice real touch to accompany the sound coming from his famous laptop on stage. He did a good job getting the audience to particpate, and after the show he stayed around, selling shirts and CDs, and took the time to shake hands and talk with everyone who came up, even if they didn't buy anything. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy who really appreciates anyone who would bother to see him perform. A terrific finish to a really fun day with friends and music.