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The Mad Conductor

Renegade Space Rock
2007
Dan's House

The Mad Conductor - Renegade Space Rock (Cover Artwork)

Review by: ChokingVictim
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Published on August 10th 2007

In today's music world, it is extremely hard to come across something that is truly original. Even Mad Conductor's MC Devlin's old band (ska-punks No Cash) couldn't escape criticisms of sounding too much like Leftover Crack. This time around, however, he has released something with which no real comparisons can be made -- an infectious blend of reggae, dub, hip-hop, and, as Interpunk so accurately describes it, "stoner strangeness."

The album opens up with a drum roll that leads directly into what I would describe as urban reggae -- as if instead of getting stoned on a sunny beach, Bob Marley was hitting the bong in a dark alley, hiding from the police because he just killed one of their comrades. It is dark and laid-back, but there is a certain nervous energy to it that most reggae lacks. MC Devlin smoothly raps over the music, with lyrics as abstract as the music itself. It would be pointless to quote individual lyrics, as they only seem to make sense in the whole context of the song.

They then completely change directions with the following song, "Bayou Moon Stompin'," which has a funky stoner rock feel to it. Each new song seems to take the listener in a different direction, the formula always remaining the same (random instruments, studio effects, and abstract lyricism) but always changing styles, thus keeping things interesting. From the dark breakbeat rap of "Reactor #4" to the bouncy reggae of "Starry Safari," Renegade Space Rock will keep your attention from start to finish.

The standout track of the album is "Mr. Cacciatore" (which, for those who purchased their EP, is a recognizable character). The song opens up with the lyrics "All his life was Channel 13 / loaded guns in his face, he couldn't handle the scene / of a one horse town in southeast South Dakota / the pressure put cracks into his Powell-Peralta" and lets the listener know right off the bat that the story isn't going to end happily. The song switches off from funky verses to the happy sing-along choruses, even throwing in some stadium rock for good measure.

Another track that sticks out in my memory is the song "Destapadores," which is sung/rapped completely in Spanish. The vocals are reminiscent of Sublime's "Caress Me Down," however the presence of a Spanish guitar throughout the song (and lack of any reggae influences) quickly discredit any Sublime comparisons that can be made.

There is one line that has always struck me as the perfect way to describe the album. The line, from "Starry Safari" merely asks a question and is answered in the background: "Is it too hot to dance? Nah, we rock steady." To me, this one line sums up the album more than any string of adjectives and genres could ever do. Regardless, this is a great CD with an enormous amount of repeat value that should be at least tried out by everyone looking for something different.

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Posted by feedthebeast666 on 2007-09-03 21:36:45
My Score:

One of my favorite albums of ALL TIME. MC Devlin and MC Kinney have definitely fucking done it again. To any of you fucks out there dissing MC, go fuck yourself. This is what fucking music is about.

Posted by LanSid on 2007-08-27 20:05:13

I love Mad Conductor.

I love Renegade Space Rock.

I love Mechanical Claw.

What is wrong with the people who don't?

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 3:27 AM (EDT)

However, I was very disappointed not to hear Reactor #4 on The Renegade Space Rock tour coming through San Antonio. Also, the choice of venue, The Rock Bottom, could have been much better. That place was as shitty as they come.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 3:24 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I can listen to this album over and over. Repeat after repeat. That ananymous poster is the asshole. I've been to both shows mc played in san antonio and both were awesome. They got me and my girlfriend dancing.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 5:56 AM (EDT)

What is HR?

-MC DEVLIN

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 11:40 PM (EDT)

IMO, all of the negative anonymous comments really do seem like they're from one person. I can't comment about the singers being assholes and I've yet to go to a Mad Conductor show-- but I think this album is fucking bomb. I've really dug their sound (and lyrics) since they first started out. Keep it up Chris and Dan.

Posted by ChokingVictim on 2007-08-13 21:32:18

i have talked to chris a few times, i have no reason to think he is an asshole. has always seemed like a nice guy.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 7:40 PM (EDT)

No it's not just one person, he truly is a sack of shit

Posted by danshouse on 2007-08-13 17:36:44

Whew! A lot of negative comments posted by "anonymous " in the two days.
Chris sure seems to have pissed SOMEONE off last week on this tour...

Dan McKinney

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 4:50 PM (EDT)
My Score:

awesome album, and awesome band
I did the artwork for "Venom" on their page

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 4:32 PM (EDT)

Firstly, i have to say that, while i enjoy no-cash alot and gasoline rivals anything by LoC or CV, to say "even no-cash" like they shouldn't be compared is rubbish cos they clearly ripped on crs alot. think its true that scott styza produced the split with team spider who btw, demonstrate that you can rip off a band and still be way cool.

Secondly, i think there is more than a little beastie boys in this although i'm no big fan so others may disagree

Thirdly, while they make suck live and everything he says in no cask is somewhat blown out the water by his shiny new addidas trainers, there will be good support so check it out.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 12:10 PM (EDT)

this guy is an asshole, charges 200 dollars for a local show

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 4:12 PM (EDT)
My Score:

coolest hip hop around

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 12:40 PM (EDT)

so so so dissapointed by this band given no cas$h

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 2:33 AM (EDT)

i never understood why people like this band. talented musicians, completely horrible songs, and such a shitty vibe. and fuck their singer. he purposely knocked over a full beer at a house party they played. you don't do that.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 2:32 AM (EDT)
My Score:

whats it matter if they never go anywhere?
i can tell you personally, mc devlin don't care about fame.
so what if he isnt toppin charts like green day he still writes his own dope shit and you should just appreciate that fact, not how successful he is.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 11:21 PM (EDT)

No Cash didn't go anywhere, and neither will this band.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 6:53 PM (EDT)

That combination really doesn't sound all that unique.

Posted by hitlerbadzakgood on 2007-08-10 18:30:09

thats alot of negative comments posted by anonymous all at once. anyways, i agree with all of them.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 4:09 PM (EDT)

What did he say about HR? And what gives someone such a big head when you are in a nothing band....

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 2:45 PM (EDT)

These guys are coming to New Orleans soon. I think I'll skip the show though, since everyone is saying these guys are assholes.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 2:41 PM (EDT)

The singer is an asshole, he ragged on HR.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 1:56 PM (EDT)

Yeah I agree with everyone else about the singer being a dick. They were opening the show and played forty five minutes over, causing people to leave and then laughing about it after they were done. And their fuckin cd was $13!!

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 1:49 PM (EDT)

Let's skin that asshole alive and roll him in a mountain of salt.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 1:42 PM (EDT)

this band is good, but the singer is an asshole. He played a venue here and wrote graffiti all over the walls causing the owners to close it. I guess thats punk rock though.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 12:40 PM (EDT)

I saw this band once. Singer was an asshole and then played with sun glasses on and yelled stuipd shit at the crowd.

Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-08-10 12:00:50

wow I never imagined the mad conductor getting some love here, nicely done.