Oedipus’ 5 Favorite Non-Rock ‘Neckbreakers’ (EXCLUSIVE PLAYLIST)
Earlier this year, Los Angeles-based melodic rockers Oedipus Vicious Little Smile, the group's third studio album. Produced by Darian Cowgill (Sleeping Giant, Middle Class Rut), the album features the tracks "Tres Las," "Burn It Down," and "Gimme a Chance," which have already received airplay in over 30 countries including Poland, Germany, South Africa, Russia, Croatia, and the U.S. Oh yeah, the trio is already massive in Europe and are just getting started here in the States.
Since their "Kiss on the Fist" single is currently blowing up on Rock radio (check out the video below), Noisecreep asked Oedipus if they wanted to take part in one of our list features. Here is what they sent us...
From Oedipus:
Everyone assumes that since we're a modern rock band, we tour the countryside blasting rock music with loud guitars and screaming vocals. Other times people assume its a heavy diet of classic rock riffs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now, granted, we definitely spend some time with the windows down singing along to the likes of Tool, Alice in Chains, Clutch, etc., but, contrary to the popular belief referenced above, we dive pretty deep into hip-hop and electronic music. Below are the Top 5 songs that we repeatedly bob our heads to.
This song just embodies '90s West Coast hip-hop in the vein of Cypress Hill and House of Pain (all of which were a part of the Soul Assassins crew in Los Angeles). It has that infectious organ line over the top of a jingle-bell laden beat that just gets your head bouncing. When we're on tour driving through the Midwest in the afternoon, we'll throw this tune on to give us a little slice of home. Best lyric: "Robbin' me softly / Bitch, back up off me / I`ll crack your lip, trip, then spit in your coffee". Any of Funkdoobiest's records are a must listen, but this tune just keeps coming back to us.
"I'll Be Around" by Cee-Lo (ft. Timbaland)
Before being a judge on The Voice, before dropping the soul-pop tune "Fuck You", before fronting Gnarls Barkley, and JUST after his days rapping with the Goodie Mob, Cee-Lo put out a solo record called ...Is The Soul Machine. Timbaland dropped the beats for this song and he and Cee-Lo rap and sing on it. It's got a great head-bobbing tribal beat, trumpet lines and a catchy chorus that keeps you coming back. Hot spot: the tambourine in the second verse really gets you going. This is a tune that'll find its way onto your iPod and won't leave. HOLLA!
"Why? Where? What?" by King Fantastic
This song was brought to our attention because of the video...which is you MUST see. When you watch it, you'll understand why its on Vimeo and not on YouTube. Definitely not safe for work...let's just say it features pornstar Kristina Rose and very little clothing. Now...you watch the video over and over because it's dirty, but then that wears off and you actually realize you're listening to brand-spanking new West Coast gangster rap...and it's good...no...GREAT. With Dr. Dre all but retired, Snoop Dogg moving into reggae grooves, we haven't had much for real, dirty, gangster rap in a while. King Fantastic delivers it, BIG TIME and especially in this song. Real heavy synth bass lines over solid minimalistic beats and a memorable chorus, this song doesn't get old, at all, ever. It's one of those songs you feel like you have to know the lyrics to and you'll listen over and over until you get them. Definitely a windows down, volume up banger.
"Sunny Meadowz" by Del The Funkee Homosapien
The ultimate laid-back hip-hop song, it features samples of Hot Chocolate and Parliament. Before Del was with Hieroglyphics, or The Gorillaz, or rapping as Deltron 3030 he put out a number of solo records and this gem comes off of 1991's I Wish My Brother George Was Here. Ice-Cube's cousin took the road less traveled away from gangsta rap in the 90's and stuck to more roots sounding Oakland, CA hip-hop. It's refreshing to hear lyrics with a positive vibe set in a major key in a mellowed out tempo. Turn this one up, push the seat back and relax.
"Girl In The Fire" by Pendulum
When this song starts with an acoustic guitar and some electronic elements it puts you off balance. The light hi-hat/rimshot beat comes in followed by some synth lines and you think you're in for a light groovy electronic toe-tapper. Fear not...this song pulls off one of the slickest builds you'll ever hear. The guitars are met with more and more synth and modulation lines and increasing energy and finally turns you on your ear around the 90 sec mark. Full fledge drum 'n' bass carries you away for the next 6 minutes or so. But even for those listeners who aren't particularly fond of electronic music (drum & bass to be specific), Pendulum makes sure to respect the musical structure and breaks it down to light drums, organ and guitar before slingshotting you back into the main groove. There's even a guitar solo in there.
Watch Oedipus' 'Kiss on the Fist' Video
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