{grate 4} When you think of Bay Area hip-hop, images of nerdy Jewish
street-poets usually don’t come to mind. Yoni Wolf, his brother Josiah and Doug
McDiarmid comprise the surrealist indie-rap mishmash, Why? (with the question
mark), creating a genre playground that pairs knowingly clever story-raps with
live instrumentation supplying the thick beats, plucked guitar-work and somber
piano.
Part one of the Why? experience is the lyrics. Wolf’s
delivery could best be described as “whiny-teen-with-a-cold”; he raps through
his nose in a talky monotone, not concerned with street cred whatsoever. That
attitude carries through in the subject matter, which blends urban wit with
intimate anecdotes full of vivid imagery. Here’s a gem from “The Fall of Mr.
Fifths,” one of many: “Just another Sunday paddleboat ride/ on a manmade lake
with another lady stranger/ if I remain lost and die on a cross/ at least I
wasn’t born in a manger.” Also, Wolf often veers into morbid self-deprecation
and absurd word pairings, describing his own “coffin rehearsals” and “hollow
bones” through the guise of mundane city life, which may put some listeners
off.
Part two is the off-kilter pop approach the band takes with
its instruments that crafts the setting for Wolf’s lyrics to breathe. They take
full advantage of the studio, capturing pleasant chain jingles and bizarre
marimba synths that complement the familiar guitar-drums-piano tones. Lead
single “The Hollows,” for example, is built on an entwining loop of staccato
guitar, rolling bass ambience and insistent piano playing away at the
forefront; without the nasally voice, it could be a Wolf Parade track covered
by the Arcade Fire. That means indie chops minus the posturing. The result is a
highly eccentric group that won’t appeal to most folks, but those who are down
will find the
oddly addicting.
