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If you didn't know better you'd think this was an early Eminem CD sans all the trash talking. But Scapegoat Wax, a.k.a. Marty James, was still thrashing out beats and making up rhymes in his Chico, California, bedroom when Eminem first gave the world the finger. But to be fair, Mr. Wax is rather more versatile than Eminem, going far beyond rap as he slices and dices sci-fi effects and other aural bon mots into old-school funk-rock that recalls Sly Stone and Shuggie Otis. Most of the songs have a well-developed sense of melody and timing, especially the impeccably crafted "Space to Share," which is a near-perfect pop confection. But it's literate, imaginative raps like "Aisle 10 (Hello Allison)," the autobiographical "Almost Fine," and the anxious "Back Alive" (detailing his brief tenure on the Beastie Boys's Grand Royal label) that make this album memorable. --Jaan Uhelszki
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By Will Mcgregor
I have a similar story as the reviewer below me. I was playing Jet Set Radio future (Xbox), and time passed in the game, I became more and more in love with the euphoric and diverse soundtrack. the track that first caught my ear however, was Aisle 10 (Hello Alison), by Scapegoat Wax. A few internet searches later, I was listening to an album that seemed almost as varied, but strikingly similar to that of Jet Set Radio Future soundtrack. Not that these two albums shared any similar sound qualities, but that each album seemed to travel over genre gaps and not try to keep itself in any defined listening range.
SWAX is more clean and "Pop" than Marty James' (the lead singer and brainchild behind the group) previous album, Okeeblow. In fact, there are many of the same songs, but with different samples or more polished recordings. Even if you have listened to Okeeblow, pick up SWAX simply because the group refines an already great album to something even more addictive. If you've never listened to the group, I also highly recommend the album simply because the group never really defines its genre, so most people can find at least a few songs that they enjoy.
By Jason Wendleton (Lee's Summit, MO United States)
What do space-age soul, super fun hip-hop, and XBOX have in common? Not much on the surface, huh? Well as silly as this sounds, I've had a song stuck in my head. A song I heard in a video game. I know, I know...what a world we live in when the best stuff you hear anymore is brought to you by Microsoft (those people do EVERYTHING!). Anyway, a few years back I played JET SET FUTURE RADIO for XBOX...the songtrack included the very catchy "Aisle 10 (Hello Allison)" and inside my brain it germinated. Then last week, the ultra hip seed germinated and I bought the CD (for cheap) from Amazon.com. Now, four days later I cannot stop listening to it (I had to loan my copy out to my sis just to escape it's clutches).
Scapegoat Wax is hard to describe. On the first track, singer/rapper Marty James asks the all important question: "Do I rap, or do I sing?" Good question-BOTH! Scapegoat Wax's sound is vaguely reminicent of Jamiroquai. Funky, soul filled hip-hop sounding rock, dig it? The raps are there, to be sure, but I wouldn't call it a rap record. "Space to Share" sounds like something John Mayer or Jack Johnson could have written, while "Bloodsweet" has more than a trace Prince in it. The super sweet, electronic grooves of "Freeway" and "Crawlin" are so smooth, it's almost criminal (a 'smooth criminal' if you will). This is one of those great, undiscoverd indie treasures that you hear and shake your head and think:"Why isn't THIS on MTV? Why is this not a number one?" I've gone through every single song as my "favorite" song...that's always a good sign...every track really is that strong. If you like pop, rock, disco, hip-hop (the friendly kind), reggaee, or soul music you NEED to get this album right now.
This Wax is hot!
By Paul J Thorn (New Jersey, US)
Picked this album up on a whim after hearing Aisle 10 on a video game soundtrack. At first listen you may think its a mix tape of obscure songs from other bands, but really its Marty James very liberal borrowing of other more established artists. In a 12 track album you get sorta SmashMouth, sorta Beck, sorta Sublime, sorta Eminem, sorta Eagle Eye Cherry, sorta Prince and others. Nice tributes or a glaring lack of originality? Could be either.
But despite its lack of new material the album is very enjoyable. It's the kinda of music that works great at parties with it's good mix of styles and catchy melodies that can stick in your head. The album really grew on me and sits nicely amongst my other albums of bands in obscurity.
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Scapegoat Wax offers nothing new to the world of music. With lyrics like: "The rain is beatin' on your front porch / My main source of desperation is the memory torch," no one can take it seriously in the loosest sense. The "muscians" on this sound very amatuer-ish, in that there are playing simple timings that carry over to each track. Although it is nice to have a mixture of different genres of music on an album, this album does nothing but copy every other Cali rock/rap/pop group.
While some lines are very catchy and you can't help but to tap your foot. This CD offers a listener nothing more than a casual listen, giving a person no real reason to purchase this album. One song by S.W. I enjoy is "Freeway" on Okieblow, is has a soft groove, that even the chessy lyrics overcome.
By A Well Hung Stoner (Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, USA)
I bought SWAX just for the hell of it, i'd never heard anything that Scapegoat Wax (Marty James) had ever done before. When i listened to this cd i was SHOCKED -- SWAX combines ill pseudo-rap style rhymes with unforgiving emotion, and precise instrumentals - This album is unclassifiable (unless excellent is a category) - songs range from new school hip hop, to acoustic tracks, to rock tracks laced with amazing rhymes.
If you want something that will blow your mind after you have smoked a joint, SWAX will do it and more. It is one of the few CD's that sounds excellent the first time you listen to it, and the fact that this guy (who spits viscious rhymes with uncensorec emotion) is not one of the top acts in america shows how musically shallow we are as a nation. Damn it!
Look, SWAX is a great CD, dont deprive yourself of its musical splendor.
Nick
mp3.com/Term1nal
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