I know almost nothing about independent hip-hop. What little I do know, I mercilessly make fun of. Despite this, I can fully get behind Dr. Octagon as being one of the most mind-fucking collaborations in the history of indie hip-hop. If you don't know, this is a classic LP in which underrated/overrated Dan the Automator handles the subdued and totally appropriate production. The instrumentals are just enough to take you somewhere, but not enough to detract from Kool Keith at the height of his "I will literally say whatever I want" attitude. What is this, Space-rap? Horror-core? Album opener "3000" is a deceptive olive branch: I convinced myself that I still could get with this album, but after "I Got To Tell You" and "Earth People" I realized that this was beyond me. One can argue that Keith himself never replicated the relentless WTF imagery he had mastered on this album, which ceases to exist as metaphor and exists solely as WHAT HE IS ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT. There was no rewinding 10 seconds, if you wanted to know what you missed you went back to the beginning of the song. And of course, bringing it all together is DJ Qbert, who destroys it on the turntables. You think I'm getting all The Turntable Is A Musical Instrument on you, but listen again to the cuts at the end of "Blue Flowers" and tell me that isn't pure blinding God-force. Also includes "Wild And Crazy," "the BSE (Best Song Ever)," "Halfsharkalligatorhalfman" and 15 more. Pee Pee 5-1 Doo Doo. Limited edition reissue features 3D lenticular cover.

• 3D lenticular cover
• part of the Respect The Classics reissue series
• music label: Bulk Recordings 1996 / Geffen Records 2014

reviewed by the Woodman 01/2006