Pop fodder

November 19, 1997
Issue 
298
Culture

Pop fodder

Forest For the Trees
Carl Stephenson
Universal Music

Review by James Smith

This 12-track album is produced, recorded, engineered, arranged and mixed by hip-hop guru Carl Stephenson.

Stephenson's credentials are immaculate. One of the founders of American hip-hop, he helped to establish Rap a Lot Records. He collaborated on Becks hit Loser, then co-produced and wrote for Becks Mellow Gold album.

Stylistically, Stephensons debut album isnt worlds apart from Becks Odelay album. With his wickedly wacked-up sampling, Stephensons is more a tapestry of world music — bagpipes, didgeridoo, sitar, synthesiser and sound bites.

While it holds together musically, Stephensons lyrics are disappointing: vague, new age, apolitical and inoffensive.

"Dream, dream, dream, dream, life is but a dream."

Ahhh ... more pop fodder. Im sure his record company love the album.

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