Madvillain - Madvillainy (2004) REVIEW

By Patrick Baker

Genre/s - Alternative Hip Hop, Jazz rap

Other Albums/EP's/Compilations:

• Four Tet Remixes (2005) EP
• Madvillainy 2 (2008)

Similar Artists : 

MF DOOM (aka. Victor Vaughn, King Geedorah, King Ghedra, Metal Fingers, King Dumile, Doom), 

Madlib (aka Quasimoto, Yesterdays New Quintet, DJ Rels, Beat Konducta, The Loop Digga), DANGERDOOM, JJ DOOM, Freddie Gibbs, Danny Brown, Earl Sweatshirt, KMD, J Dilla

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OVERALL SCORE //       
9.5/10

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Madvillain is a hip-hop duo/collaboration between two of the most highly esteemed artists in the genre; the metal masked producer, rapper and songwriter, MF DOOM (real name Daniel Dumile) and fellow producer, DJ, multi-instrumentalist and rapper, Madlib (real name Otis Jackson Jr.). The duo made their debut in 2004 with the album, Madvillainy, a triumph in the experimental hip-hop genre, and is still regarded by many (including myself) as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Madvillainy was praised for its' incredibly bass-heavy, unique, creative and sample-heavy production from Madlib along with some amazingly witty and clever lines from master word-smith, MF DOOM. It reached 179 on the US Billboard 200, appeared in NME's list of the 500 greatest albums all time and attracted a significant amount of attention from various media outlets not typically known for covering Hip-Hop, such as New Yorker Magazine. Madlib produced the instrumentals for Madvillainy while on a trip to Brazil in his hotel room using only three pieces of equipment; a Boss SP-303 sampler, a turntable and a tape deck, an amazing feat considering the quality of the album. When the pair were not seriously working on the album, they would spend much of their free time together drinking beer, eating a lot of Thai food, smoking copious amounts of cannabis and taking psychedelic mushrooms, and would record the tracks 'Meat Grinder' and 'Figaro' during these times. Madvillainy's iconic album art of a grayscale image of MF DOOM in his signature metal mask was created by the Stones Throw Records (the label that released Madvillainy) by their art director Jeff Jank, who wanted to boost the public image of MF DOOM, who at the time was a figure shrouded in mystery.  

Madlib (left) & MF DOOM (right)

I feel as if Madvillainy is to Hip-Hop, is the same as what Music Has the Right to Children by Boards of Canada is to the electronic genre (I make this comparison as Music Has the Right to Children was my first review, which can be read by clicking the hyperlink), an extremely ballsy, experimental album that succeeds musically on so many levels. Madvillainy was my introduction to both MF DOOM (just remember, ALL CAPS when you spell the man name - 'All Caps') and Madlib, who were clearly highly skilled in their respective crafts. The few simple tools (see above) Madlib used to produce Madvillainy is nothing short of astounding considering the sheer sophistication and experimental quality of the instrumentals. MF DOOM's vocal delivery on Madvillainy is a gruffer, more menacing approach as opposed to his usual smooth and animated rapping he was known for, which can be heard being used in his first solo album, Operation Doomsday in 1999 (also a great album). Madvillainy was the album to break the two from the underground and into the status of Hip-Hop royalty, and they clearly deserved it. The album centres loosely around MF DOOM's status as a self-proclaimed villain, personified by his iconic metal mask based off Marvel comic character, Doctor Victor Von Doom, and has maintained it for his entire solo and collaborative discography, which began after his breakaway from KMD (Kausing Much Damage/a positive Kause in a Much Damaged society) in 1997, where he then went under the name Zev Love X. 

Madvillainy kicks off with an introduction to the fictional character portrayed in the album, Madvillain, who is representative of both musicians, in the track 'The Illest Villains'. It is made up entirely of samples sourced from 1930-50's horror movie trailers, the 1972 album Contrast by jazz artist Sun Ra as well as the track 'Beach Trip/Up Tight' by Morton Stevens, from the 1968 'Hawaii Five-O' soundtrack. This is the only track in Madvillainy that is co-produced by Madlib and MF DOOM and isn't really a 'song', more of a story-telling. The next track, the aptly titled 'Accordion' is the first time hearing MF DOOM's rapping in Madvillainy, and is to me the magnum opus of Madvillainy, and a fitting embodiment of the album. 'Accordion' features, you guessed it, an accordion driven instrumental using a sample from the 2002 track, 'Experience' by Daedelus, as well as some some solid yet simple drum patterns, and is one of my favourite instrumentals within Hip-Hop. And who can forget the absolutely masterfully written lyrics?, for example, 'for half, half of his n****s will take him out the picture, The other half is rich and it don't mean shit-ta', is an interesting line focusing on the concept that for half a rich mans wealth 50% of his friends would kill him, and the only reason the other rich 50% wouldn't because they don't need anymore money. This stems from the loose religious allusion within 'Accordion', where Judas's betrayal of Jesus from the Christian Bible (Matthew 26:15) is used as an analogy of MF DOOM's personal belief that those you hold closest will eventually betray you out of jealously of your 'glory' and 'gold' ('Know who's the illest ever like the greatest story ever told, Keep your glory, gold and glitter'). 

Another personal favourite track from Madvillainy is 'America's Most Blunted - Quasimoto', an ode to both of the artists love of cannabis. 'America's Most Blunted' begins with a foggy sample from the 1966 track 'Come Out' by Steve Reich, paired with the sound of a swirling storm. This is followed by a psychedelic guitar strum, which I believe is a good audible representation of the mindset you find yourself in while stoned, strung-out and spacey. The track features many samples of cannabis related sounds such as coughing, the sound of bong hits as well as many comments about the positive effects of the plant, for example, Quasimoto (Madlibs' alter ego characterised by the combination of his regular voice as well as an edited version of Madlibs' speaking voice to sound more high-pitched.) states as a matter of fact at the start of the song, 'Listening to music while stoned is a whole new world, Most cannabis users report it only second to sex, And grass will change your musical habits, for the better' followed by more bong hits. Quasimoto makes one more appearance within Madvillainy in the track 'Shadows of Tomorrow - Quasimoto', which is all about looking to the future, and not to look back on the past, ('Today is the shadow of tomorrow, Today is the present future of yesterday, Yesterday is the shadow of today, The darkness of the past is yesterday, And the light of the past is yesterday'). My single gripe about Madvillainy is MF DOOM's flow, and while not at all bad (it's actually incredibly good), it's just that it doesn't do enough in terms of versatility and remains similar through the entire album. I'll admit, Madvillainy is not an easy album to review as it's very difficult to explain the emotions and vibes given off by the near perfect album (my opinion of course), so I think it'd be better for you to listen to it yourself.

I honestly had a blast reviewing and writing about Madvillainy, as it is honestly one of the best albums I've ever heard. The immaculate production thanks to Madlib, as well as some seriously memorable and well thought out lyrics from MF DOOM along with the addition Quasimoto's pitch-changing voice make for a nearly flawless album. If you are seeking for a great Hip-Hop album that branches out from the conventional sounds in the genre, then this is most definitely worth your time.

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Favourite Tracks
- Accordion
- Meat Grinder
- Raid
- America's Most Blunted
- Rainbows
- Curls
- Shadows of Tomorrow
- Operation Lifesaver aka Mint Test
- Figaro
- Strange Ways
- Fancy Clown
- Supervillain theme
- All Caps
- Great Day
- Rhinestone Cowboy

Least Favourite Tracks
- The Illest Villains
- Great Day

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Related Videos from Madvillain

MF DOOM - Madvillain - Accordion

Madvillain - Strange Ways (Official Video)

Madvillain - All Caps 

Madvillain - Fancy Clown