Kid Koala

Editor's Review:

To those who heard his debut mixtape "Scratchrachrachrach," Kid Koala is a familiar name. This turntable terrorist from Canada has left mixers smoking and jaws dropping since the early ‘90s. And after years of delays due to his touring stint with Money Mark, his debut LP, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is finally here. This is a record filled with hip hop beats, precise scratches, and abstract samples. Billed as a failed concept album, one can only guess what that "concept" may have been. Take, for example, "Like Irregular Chickens." This song is filled with scratched squawks and pecks, as well as the sounds of chickens roosting to the beat. There’s also "Roboshuffle," which may or may not be the soundtrack to a robot’s big night out. One can’t help but get an image of a robot on the dance floor, doing the robot to the Kid’s cuts.

Some experimental twists are heard on "Barhopper 1" and "Barhopper 2," which are both stories of a fellow picking up on a lady at a bar with sassy dialogue scratched in. Two added bonuses come included with the CD. First, a comic book drawn by the Kid himself. It tells the story of a square headed boy, his trip to the ninja DJ academy, and his pursuit of a young lady. The second surprise is a video game for your computer. It’s very similar to the arcade classic Asteroids, but instead of blasting asteroids in the depths of space, you destroy giant radioactive LPs with your laser record needles. Fun stuff. Overall, it’s a record that should appeal to hip hop heads, DJ fans, and anyone who has an interest in where turntable sounds and modern music composition is going. Besides, how could anyone not love a guy who sleeps on a pillowcase full of sketches of his missus? Ahhh...fresh.

--Aye Jay

Bookmark:

Record Label Ninja Tune Records Released April 2001

Tracks Strut Hear Nerdball Fender Bender Drunk Trumpet Roboshuffle Barhopper 1 Music For Morning People Naptime A Night At Nufonia Temple Of Gloom Scurvy Like Irregular Chickens Barhopper 2 Roll Credits