Simply Mortified
(Grand Royal)
You know him as Adrock, the nasally voiced visionary who usually spells out his name at least once per song with the Beastie Boys. Here, he is Adam Horowitz, the distinguished man about town, and one half of the unbeatable BS 2000. When paired with longtime pal Amery “AWOL” Smith, and handed a drum machine, he will co-create a most remarkable album, a retro idea of what the future must sound like.
At the corner of the BS 2000 credo is a blind faith in the validity of an array of arcane, key-based instruments, but do not expect the textural, watery organ lines that Money Mark splashes over classic Beastie brews like Check Your Head and Ill Communication. Rather, Adam and Amery savor the stinging, two-note tones of crapped-out kiddie keyboards and flatulent old Farfisas. Combine these with some thumping drum samples and some frantic shouting or laid back lounging, and you’ve got a delightful bit of pretense-free grooviness, reminiscent of recent Self.
The most endearing ditties on Simply Mortified are the adorably kitschy instrumentals. “No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach Is In)” could be the soundtrack to a lost Friz Freling cartoon, while the minimalist “Excursions” is eerily evocative of the 8-bit bleeps of Castlevania. Tearing its title from the pages of the Popeye lexicon, “Dansk Party” exemplifies the strength and purity of the one-fingered keyboard melody.
At twenty tracks in just forty minutes, Simply Mortified is a breezy yet oddly incredible jaunt that will both appeal to and challenge those of woefully short attention span. Not recommended for listeners with a distaste for music that doesn’t take itself very seriously.
By Casey Lombardo
Long Beach Union
Originally printed 2.26.01
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