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To be blunt, I don't know anything about the hip-hop scene, and I'm not going to pretend I do by spewing the names of a bunch of hip, underground acts. While I'm not that genuinely interested in any form of rap music, either, I have found interest in the work of a select few groups. With all of that in the open, read this review as being from an outsider's perspective, not a hip-hop authority.
Weerd Science quickly became a widely recognized name in a variety of music scenes because the group features Josh Eppard, who is likely better known as the drummer of his full-time band, Coheed And Cambria. But there's no trace of progressive rock or geeky science fiction on Friends and Nervous Breakdowns. The record is 15 songs of slick, professionally produced and surprisingly authentic hip-hop. Despite Weerd Science's direct connections to a starkly contrasting style of music, Friends and Nervous Breakdowns comes across as more than just a gimmick or having been created because the group could.
Musically, the album is a familiar mix of electronic beats, various keyed and stringed instruments, a bundle of effects and briskly spouted vocals. Some songs remind me of Atmosphere, but such a comparison might be a bit gratuitous. Where Friends and Nervous Breakdowns really establishes its character is in Eppard's tongue-in-cheek lyrics. A lot of the content is personal and open for some interpretation, but there are outright jabs at the recording industry and a few social issues. "Girl, Your Baby's Worm Food" is the most memorable in terms of lyrics. Lines, like "Girl, I gotta tell you something / If you're really knocked up by my homie I'm gonna punch you in the stomach," are painfully blatant and unforgiving, but I like the straightforward impact.
I have very little idea what devoted hip-hop fans would think of Friends and Nervous Breakdowns. Since I have a minimal basis of comparison, I don't even know if it's worth recommending. But I enjoyed a number of the songs (although the second half absolutely drags on), so take that for what it's worth. The judgment's on you for this one.
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