“Oi Oi!”. Kid Acne returns with a new (well, not so new now) album on Warp offshoot, Lex Records. Opener “Freddy Fresh” sets the pace with ego banter in Kid Acne’s formidable style, and its here you either love him, or hate him… “Oh No You Didn’t” turns to post-punk overload, while don’t pity me returns to hip-hop with a wobbly grime bass, but Kid Acne still spits his humorous anecdotes… Things get a tad confusing as he jumps styles, from hip-hop, electro, post punk, straight up punk, to old school hip-hop. While its an interesting musical ride, Kid Acne’s raps do detract from the soundtrack, and unless you relate to his particular humor, it all seems a bit dull and pointless. I for one just can’t get it out of my head that this sounds a little too much like the UK equivalent to The Beastie Boys, minus two members, crucify me if you will, but the vocal style just doesn’t do it for me. I have picked up a couple of the singles, but only because they contain instrumental versions…
If Kid Acne’s humor and delivery is your thing, this will be a fun, enjoyable album for you. If his vocal style annoy you, avoid like the plague, because you cannot escape it here.
Wayne Stronell
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