Muse Reviews

'Angles' - Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip

By Kate Rothwell

Infectious is a word that is more than over-used by music reviewers but it one that is entirely apt in the case of opening track 'The Beat that my Heart Skipped. The guitar sample underpinning the song is an example of the variation that pervades both this album and its ever-evolving genre; hip-hop artists have a tendency of borrowing from the works of other musicians in order to make something of their own and 'Angles' is no exception.

The most obvious examples are 'Letter from God to Man', which re-works elements of Radiohead's 'Planet Telex', and 'Fixed', which borrows its beat from Dizzee Rascal's 'Fix Up, Look Sharp'. The latter is almost a parody of Dizzee Rascal's hit single, and although not aimed at the artist himself is a scathing take on the more generic, commercial side of the UK hip-hop scene.

Pip and le Sac are not moralistic preachers, but they are not afraid of stating their opinions and there is a lesson to be learnt with almost every song. The aforementioned 'Letter from God to Man' is an outsider's look at the human race; 'Magician's Assistant' tackles the sensitive issue of self-harm, and title track 'Angles' covers the social issues of suicide, child abuse and gun culture in one fell swoop.

And as for the music itself? There are a couple of dud tracks; 'Rapper's Battle' and 'Back from Hell' don't offer much in melodic terms but out of twelve tracks the vast majority will appeal to hip-hop aficionados and those favoring pop music alike.

'Development' leans a little more towards electro whilst rhyming the periodic table; 'Thou shalt always kill' provides a humorous set of commandments for life in the 21st century with catchy computer game-like backing.

It would be only too easy to compare Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip with fellow fast-talking UK act The Streets, but while both have witty lyrics combined with a variety of music styles, 'Angles' is clearly stamped with this duo's own distinctive hip-pop label.