Detroit Grand Pubahs
Madd Circus
There is little doubt that should he ever decide to pursue such a line of work, Paris the Black Fu would make one world class carnival barker. The man behind the many (ribald) personalities of Detroit Grand Pubahs is capable of articulating some of the most unexpected, hilarious and attention grabbing things ever to be spoken, and he’s certainly up to plenty more of that on his latest Detroit Grand Pubahs adventure with partner Mister O. But while in the past Funkadelic influences have dripped off of every techno beat and bassline the Pubahs put together, this Madd Circus mostly vibes off the sleeker electro-funk that followed in the 80s, and this combination with their Detroit core leads to electroclash moments like “Autotragik” and “White Pigeon” that survive more on the strength of Paris’ entertaining off-the-wall utterances than on the power of the music. But his words are best put to use on “Breakfast in Bed” as he channels a bit of Barry White, and just like on breakthrough single “Sandwiches” from a decade back, brings food and sex together. Still one of the most exciting moments comes in an interlude skit where “No Hoes in My Studio” teases at what could have been a new ghetto-tech classic. Instead, it followed up by the instrumental techno-bass of “Zombies Playing Dead” and it just shows off the unrealized potential of the previous song. That’s certainly not a problem on “Mashed Potato”, another instrumental, but this time one made of thick house-funk and a Mantan Moreland sample familiar to anyone who’s heard Beastie Boys’ Ill Communication. Still, for every incredibly strong musical and lyrical moment, the album’s scattershot musical approach never comes together as a whole. After bouncing between styles with every new song, the wheels seem to come off toward the end of the affair with the unexpected agro-rock-rap of “Maybe I Do” and the Bad Company drum and bass sounds of the title track, only to be slightly redeemed with closer “Clone Mobile (1 Gets in 9 Come Out)” and its classic hard techno sounds. Detroit Grand Pubahs have some powerful sounds and powerfully funny words to share, but they never quite figure out how to reign things in to make it all work well together.
GOOOD