Milo - Milo Takes Baths

Anyone who reads this blog regularly will know how much I enjoyed Milo's last release, I Wish My Brother Rob Was Here.  There is something very appealing about the low-fi beats and almost spoken word delivery of Milo's raps.  I don't think I'm alone.  My review of that album received well over a hundred page views.

Hot off the heels of his colleagues Nicholas J and Safari Al, Milo has released a new seven track mixtape titled, 'Milo Takes Baths' which completes a trilogy of work from the trio.

[Milo Takes Baths]

Track one, 'The Confrontation at Khazad-dûm', opens in an understated manner and as with his previous effort the sounds are not highly produced or polished.  But It's an odd soundscape, musically.  Almost a mish-mash of sounds thrown into a sampler.  The whimsical riff floating over a drum track which at times sounds like someone trying to reproduce drum and bass at the wrong tempo and the snare doesn't always hit where it's supposed to while the kick maintains a steady pace.  And yet, Milo's intelligent lyrics sit comfortably on top and flow gently forming an unlikely balance.

'The Ballad of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy' finds Milo's lyrics hopping from topic to topic.  He has a unique way of telling a story which makes me wonder if he's ever able to concentrate on any one thing for longer than a few seconds.  There's no drum beat of significance (if at all) to be heard and the track somehow, bubbles, along.  Strangely reflective of the overall subject matter.

"I've never pressed a tape to a laser disc, but I still managed to make Nerdcore Now's list"

A soft guitar riff loops over synth strings on 'Lester Freamon toe-taps the blues' and again Milo shows off his poetic style.  The production though reaches a low with dips in volume as another instrument is introduced.  Clearly not fond of concise song titles, 'Prince Abakaliki of Nigeria needs your help' is led by a more prominent beat.  There's a nice reference to nerdcorenow.com in the lyrics "I've never pressed a tape to a laser disc, but I still managed to make Nerdcore Now's list".

As with 'Prince Abakaliki of Nigeria needs your help', 'Atlas Flushed (Grumpy Groucho Marxist Response)' suffers again in the production.  The drums hitting seem to cause clipping in the other tracks.  'Atlas Flushed' has a choral backing with hints of chiptunes thrown in.  Five tracks in and I must confess something.  The tone of the lyrics and the style of delivery has hardly changed throughout.  It's not that I don't like Milo's flow, but by this point I think it could really benefit from a little variation.

The penultimate song 'Hall 2 with Will's singing untouched' samples a sped up recording of a song as an intro before gently gliding through Milo's raps and a sung chorus fading to the final installment, 'The Mumblings of Mr. Wav'.  It's another jumble of sounds and off beat drums and again Milo produces clever, poetic lyrics in his trademark style.

"Seven tracks with little significant change in style or evidence of growth since 'I Wish My Brother Rob Was Here'."

Seven tracks with little significant change in style or evidence of growth since 'I Wish My Brother Rob Was Here'.  That's not necessarily a bad thing.  After all, I repeat, I liked that album a lot.  I adore Milo's clever wordplay and ability to merge unrelated subject together seamlessly.

The lo-fi production isn't out of place with Milo's very organic work process, but the clipping and dropping in and out of volume is something I'd recommend he works on.  But if we face facts.  The music isn't the focus of Milo's work.  It's the poetry.

Milo ¦ Download Milo Takes Baths

Album Review , Milo , Music , Nerdcore Hip-Hop , nerdcorenow.com , Will ,