Superheroes For Life

MF Doom’s latest album, a collaboration with DJ Dangermouse, is another successful endeavor for the rap veteran formerly known as Zev Luv X. The Mouse and the Mask is a cartoon inspired adventure featuring the cast members of Adult Swim in a twisted arrangement of comic sketches and lyrical goodies. Doom’s raspy unorthodox delivery and his subtle yet clever punches merge seamlessly with Danger’s playfully textured production. “El Chupa Nibre” sets the tone early with sixties pseudo-space samples and Doom starts off in a lyrical zone with his opening line, “The super flow with more jokes than Bazooka Joe / A mix between Superfly Snuka and a super hoe.” Dangermouse uses the same vintage congenial tone captured by Adult Swim shows like Sealab and Spaceghost throughout the album while Doom supplies lyrics packed with plenty of pop-culture references. It’s a solid concept, executed to perfection.

Ghostface and Talib Kweli join the supporting cast, embracing the cartoon concept. “The Mask” featuring Ghostface is an unbelievable collaboration. Ghost and Doom both serve up their finest flows bringing their masked superhero alter egos to life. Kweli joins Doom on “Old School” to reminisce over Saturday morning cartoons, cereal bowls and birthday candles. This type of sentimental inspiration in favor of fabricated street stories is the essence of what The Mouse and the Mask embodies.

Dangermouse and Doom compliment each other perfectly on every track. While the overuse of random cartoon cameos can be annoying at times, Dangerdoom is still an incredible album. Dangermouse offers his best production to date and MF Doom solidifies his status as one of rap’s finest emcees.