Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto
American producer/DJ, Sam Spiegel has run the gamut in the music industry, from scoring commercials, video games and movies, to collaborating with the likes of Karen O, Del tha Funkee Homosapien and even Maroon 5. This go ’round he has joined forces to create Maximum Hedrum with Sepultura lead singer, Derrick Green as well as Harold Faltermeyer, whose soundtrack work for both Beverly Hills Cop and Top Gun will forever define the sound of ’80s action movies. The combined efforts have created one of the most interesting collections of songs of the year so far.
The LP starts out with “Castles.” Light synth notes prelude the sound of a girl making sex noises you normally only hear in adult films. An ominous undertone creeps in while the woman is still carrying on in the background doing God knows what with God knows who. When you think things couldn’t possibly get any more out-there, you are introduced to the siren wails of a female opera singer accompanied by the most epic of drums. It takes a whole two minutes until the lyrics kick in. Derrick Green’s voice is filtered through so many effects it’s hard to tell it’s a human, with a sound that’s both robotic and alien at the same time.
“Robosexual” starts out with with a bass line reminiscent of “Oh Yeah” by Yello that graced the Twix commercials and the movie Ferris Beulller’s Day Off. Green’s voice sounds more human and wanton, and this tone and his “robot alter ego voice” alternate through out the whole album. “Imperfectly Mine” is one of the more melancholy songs on the album in theme, but it’s hard to feel sad when the voices sound so artificial.
At first listen, Maximum Hedrum is a lot to take in. But after a few times through the true genius of these tunes peeks through. It’s like the first time you eat a foreign food, the texture is weird and smells funny, but as soon as you’re done with the first bite you’re going back for seconds.
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