Pitchfork

That Christopher Walken-sounding fool in LCD Soundsystem warned us. He told us the kids would sell their guitars and buy turntables to make something real. I, for one, didn't believe him, but I'm ready to be proven wrong. We haters get our comeuppance on February 11th when hip-hop duo Meanest Man Contest, featuring producer Quarterbar (aka guitarist Noah Blumberg of Jim Yoshii Pile-Up) release their first LP, Merit, on the Plug Research label. Quarterbar and vocalist Eriksolo have been together for years, originally as part of a trio called mic.edu with now-deceased emcee A-Twice. Unexpectedly enough, Meanest Man Contest's stuff and Blumberg's production are well-respected among heads who know what's up. His work is reminiscent of Prefuse 73, DJ Vadim, and DJ Krush, and Eriksolo sounds a lot like Funcrusher-era El-P. Hell yeah, just let me get my backpack, yo. Droppin' tracks:

01 Sorry
02 Science Diet
03 Not Sorry
04 Carpal Twist
05 Don't Die on Christmas
06 Alive in Sweet Bad Times
07 I Have Changed My Plans
08 Macarthur to Glen Park
09 Knock Knock
10 The Most Intrusive Places
11 Pirate Style
12 Odd Predicament
13 Excitement of Students
14 So Glad

Since playing guitar on the Pile-Up's two 2002 releases, Homemade Drugs and the Burning Flag EP, Blumberg has been making beats for the new Meanest Man Contest album from his homebase in Oakland, CA. The duo has put out a few seven-inches on their own labels, Rocketship and Weapon-Shaped Records, the latter of which has also been a home to undie heroes Anticon. Upon the release of Meanest Man Contest's most recent sides, last year's "Contaminated Dance Step" and "Feelin' Pretty Psyched (About Love)", Blumberg described his relationship to hip-hop thusly: "I didn't want to play in the Meanest Man Contest. I just took the job. Signed the offer. They seemed like nice guys, like all nice guys do. Except they looked at you for too long. I stared back as I signed forms, examining red knuckles for wear or potential. I have respect for them. They make it all happen, love the military like their own handguns. It's their flag and politicians kiss their ass. They cut their teeth on newspapers, phone calls, and balance sheets that send family men home without jobs." Something real, indeed.