Beginning a capella, the tune of “Amazing Grace” is sung with different lyrics, jdwalker sets a mood for “Nailed” which highlights distorted hard rap, ethnic-style interludes and brawny hip hop beats. “Nailed” flows right into the next tune, “Nails Over Munjoy”, carrying over the power rap and adding synthetic, chiming bells as a subtle divider between the two tracks.
These potent lyrics move the listener to gather that the content is about Walker’s self-expectations in music, timing and in life. “Them Get You… Them Got You Part 1” feat. k-the-i contains massive beats, and a strong guitar loop over two notes in two chords. The over drone of guitar grasps at some sort of Middle Eastern timbre, which really gives the track a sense of fervour. The vocals represent a type of homage to past love spawned through his passion for the sea. At the chorus, the BPM doubles and the vocals add to the layers, which dissolve at the end how, they all began.
In “Omen” jdwalker lays electric guitar scratches over rap melodic vocals. Walker flosses through thought processes leading to the main point of the poetics… doing things on his own terms. The track fades out to “Moment Over Arizona” includes a sermon about being consumed in ideas and expression, with harmonica instrumental over top, that embraces high frequencies and effects.
“Since Saturday” possesses synthetic, clashy blips and hefty bass drum and features bluebird, who sermonizes on how pop culture has absorbed many of us. He leaves lots of room in the beat for the lyrics and bleubird recaps the qualities of Aesop Rock. It fades out on an 80’s style pop-rock synth.
“Maine Wharf” features bassy rips and tears open a saw-sounding beat effect, which is the basis for this lullaby. With the vocals chasing each other, the effects resemble one that the Cure uses. I don’t particularly like the vocals; this is my least favourite track on the album.
“The Two Six” beat is not what you expect. Once the rapping enters, it makes sense. I think this track is genius. It thrusts with energy. The production and the form are amazing. There’s an abundance of bass drum and underneath the organized chaos is really cool guitar strumming, which is fundamental to the layering effect.
The atmospheric “Red Sky Morning” is harmonized like a Gregorian chant. The bass drum, tapping of another drum, bass line and vocals make the eerie period sustain to a point where a short 70’s harmonized guitar solo matches the bass line and initiates the fade out.
“Patient People” features sole and Sontiago. It sets off with a metallic drumbeat and a typical hip-hop rhythm (boom boom ching - boom ching). A classical guitar line laps in underneath and is matched with a choral-type drone to push the melody of the guitar. Sontiago and sole are impressive. A rockabilly guitar enters and instigates a female vocal line, which hovers over top of the strong and powerful beat. This is one of the best tracks on the album, its’ content best described as the ‘modern depression of society’.
“Jazzy Fresh Fucker” is a short track of a guy talking shit about his life with his good wife and being a jazz guy. This time-filler track introduces, “Shrimp and Mermaids”. It opens with the sound that used to be on the beginning of cassette tapes, but in a full bass sound. The beat enters sounding like gunshots with singing-like vocals and story-like lyrics.
“Man and Woman Show”, a shuffle beat with wood blocks, welcomes his folk-like voice. If Buck 65 was the man in this picture and he a female Limp Bizkit (dare I give them any credit… “I did it all for the nookie!”)… and they procreated… it would be this track. It sounds very grunge-inspired, and other than the interlude/ chorus thingy I am not a fan.
“Them Get You… Them Got You” Part 2 features k-the-i. The beat sounds quite like Ladytron- it is heavy on the synth and the vocal effects. It has a very typical chord progression, both poetic and dazy/ boring.
“Knows No Company” features a sappy guitar line “I don’t know what to say to all of these hipsters,” then a bendy, folksy vocal line, “Misery knows no company like it’s home”. Electric guitar comes in randomly and fades out for the ending of the song.
Strongly resembling so many amazing artists like Buck 65, Dosh, Slug, Sage Francis, Rakim and even he Pixies, jdwalker’s “Them Get You… Them Got You” is filled with the spirit of the sea. Its catches your ear with folk flavours, massive beats and swirling ideas thanks to overdubs and effects. jdwalker definitely doesn’t lack originality, this album comes highly recommended.
