Masta Killa - Digi Warfare/No Said Date 12"
[Nature Sounds, 2003]
{5.5}


Finally, the 9th Wu-Tang member releases the leadoff single to his forthcoming solo album. Does anyone care? Questions arise to how much RZA values this project, since "No Said Date" flips the same Mancini sample from "Skew it on the Bar-B". While "Digi Warfare" goes for an effective throwback electro-by-way-of-Bambaataa sound, Killa gives an unfocused performance alternating between homages to DJs and Wu-brethren, as well as forgettable party and braggadocio rhymes. A similar scattershot focus repeats itself on the A-side. Fortunately, both tracks are solid, upbeat instrumentals that cater to Masta Killa's limited delivery. Get this strictly for the instrumentals.
[Fredrick Thomas]


Merzbow - Timehunter 3”
[Ant-Zen, 2003]
{8.8}


Timehunter, four 3” CDs beautifully packaged in a faux-leather case designed to approximate a day planner, continues Merzbow’s recent beat fetish, especially in the middle two discs- extending the glory of last year’s Merzbeat into even fresher territory. CD1’s “Warhorse” leads off with twenty minutes of grating industrial rhythms and static hum, tailor-made for high volume ear rape. “Conga” and “Stone the Crow,” on CD3, are the meat of this thing: metal drumming and rock god riffs clash in a titanic battle with the chaotic noise. And while the experience ends too soon, every second in this overheated paradise is well spent.
[Ed Howard]


Jabberjaw - Girlfriend 12”
[Perlon, 2003]
{9.0}


Southern Glitch House? This 12” bounces all the way on the A-side with “Girlfriend” and “I Speak for Some of That.” But Matthew Dear (Jabberjaw) eschews the glory of the radio dial switch, instead mixing the cut voice neatly into the track making this collection far more accessible than some of Akufen’s near hits. The B-side gets deeper and harder, but leaves the signature glitch and adds a larger palette of disconcerting noises to throw off the listener. Thankfully, Dear keeps the groove present at all times, helping to make this 12” an essential document of current house music.
[Todd Burns]


Nice Nice - There Will Be Slogans 7”
[White Denim, 2002]
{8.1}


Still searching for the guitar/drums duo that sounds more like your favorite DJ than the White Stripes or Black Keys? Look no further. This Portland group puts together a mix of nice (nice) disco-via-jazz-with-a-hint-of-noise all done live in the studio. But it doesn’t sound that way. In fact, there are moments where I can’t actually believe I’m listening to a band at all, let alone a live-to-tape recording. Granted, they throw distorted radio frequencies in the mix, but even these are done without overdubs. Maybe you didn’t know that this is what you wanted to hear, but it is.
[Mike Shiflet]