Get Down While You Chow Down

P.I.C started out unlike most other groups – as a mockumentary about a Philipino hip-hop group, a cross between Public Enemy and Spinal Tap. Before long, they established their spontaneous and wild stage presence enough to convince audience members that they were an actual group, and ended up as the house band for Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. So how does a group of fun-loving film students turn into a hip-hop group that’s broadcast over national television on Friday nights?Perhaps it has to do with their hip, funky, cutting-edge sound. Perhaps it’s the use of well-placed horns, guitar, bass, turntablism, and keyboard in their songs. Perhaps it’s the MCs’ flair for humorous lyrics such as “I can’t call you sugar, sugar, sugar / Complex carbohydrates gonna migrate, and dehydrate.” More than likely, it’s all of the above combined with a fun-loving enthusiasm for funky hip-hop.

After their breakout first album, Sexy Picnic picks up where Hiphopunkfunkmamboska left off. It is fun, friendly, and eclectic. It is in the Jurassic Five vein of hip-hop, with jazz and funk thrown into urban rhythms, accompanied by a chorus of MCs in “ya mamma” style. They break into salsa, punk, funk and rock with delightful results.

The songs are sometimes repetitive, but never lackluster. The funky feeling permeates throughout, which while enjoyable also makes for an anti-climactic album flow. The vocals also tend to fall into the background, as the mixing feels fairly flat.

Overall though, less-than-stellar mixing and a predictable rhythm can’t hide P.I.C’s talent for their particular genre. They take their own style of hiphopunkfunkmamboska to impressive heights, and keep up the pace well with Sexy Picnic.