Vaudeville Villain
label: sound ink

producers: max bill, king honey, heat sensor, rjd2.

guests: rodan, louis logic, lord sear, apani b, m. sayyid, creature, aj ready wright
year of release: 2003
website: mfdoomsite.com
While alter egos are nothing new in hip-hop, few artists have been as prolific and consistent as MF Doom. Since the release of "Operation: Doomsday", the super villain has unleashed a crazy amount of music under various aliases, with five full-lengths in the bag this year alone, not to mention the instrumental joints and mad collaborations. On "Vaudeville Villain", he hooks up with the Sound-Ink fam, the same folks responsible for the "Collapsus" (2001) compilation, and the much-sweated "Monday Night at Fluid" single. Nearly all of the album's 16 tracks are produced by King Honey, Heat Sensor, or Max Bill, with RJD2 being the lone outside beat-maker.
Following a typically fresh Doom-style intro, the title track "Vaudeville Villain" leaps out of the speakers, pummeling ears with crazy high-tech sound effects, bizarre panning, and neck-breaking drums. Here Vik introduces himself to the world, with triumphant rhymes and the usual array of ill metaphors. "Lickupon" comes next, re-configuring a key Biggie bassline, and supporting a litany of bugged-out wordplay, as "V bring the beef like a trucker to Fuddrucker, delivery to all you mufuckas and bloodsuckas." Mellow sitars, jangly strings, and exotic percussion sets the mood for "A Dead Mouse," which sounds like some hashed-out harem soundtrack, while "Let Me Watch" finds Mr. Vaughn trying to get romantic with Apani B, spitting game over minimalist beats and chill pianos.
tracklisting
1. Overture
2. Vaudeville Villain
3. Lickupon
4. The Drop
5. Lactose & Lecithin
6. A Dead Mouse
7. Open Mic Night Pt. 1 feat. Lord Sear, Apani B., Brother Sambolca, Rodan, Louis Logic
8. RaeDawn
9. Let Me Watch feat. Apani B
10. Saliva
11. Modern Day Mugging
12. Open Mic Night Pt. 2 feat. Lord Sear, AJ Ready Wright, Creature
13. Never Dead feat. M. Sayyid
14. Pop Snot
15. Mr. Clean
16. G.M.C.
Other featured guests include Lord Sear, Creature, Louis Logic, and M. Sayyid, but it's Dr. Moreau (aka Rodan) who impresses the most, with a brief but astounding verse on the multi-part posse cut "Open Mic Nite, pt. 1." The previously released bangers "Change The Beat" and "RaeDawn" still sound nasty, as does the chopped organ jam "Mr. Clean."
While the Sound-Ink production style is very different from Doom's usual approach, the album is definitely not 'drum-n-bass' as had been rumored. There's certainly more of an electronic, futuristic vibe throughout, but there's still ample funk in the mix. Though the trademark catchy loops and grimey drums may be missing, "Vaudeville Villain" shines regardless, thanks to innovative beats and sick lyrics. Another identity, and another victory for one of hip-hop's most unique characters.
review: brolin winning
 
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