ATLANTA (AP) — Mike D 5D, a new project from former Beastie Boy Michael Diamond, will release “Thank You” on Friday — the debut solo album from the MC and the first new music from the Beastie Boys’ camp since the 2012 death of Adam “MCA” Yauch.
“Thank You” is a debut album unafraid to traverse new sonic ground — and suffers only the occasional misfire.
Joined by his band — his sons Skyler and Davis Diamond as well as Eddie Ruscha, Will Graefe and Milo Ruscha — Mike D’s album bristles with stuttering drum and bass breaks and distressed vocals on the opening tracks “Switch Up” and “What We Got,” both of which sound as if they were pushed through an overdrive pedal. Somehow it works and is fitting with Mike D 5D’s high-volume and energetic style.
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Less necessary are meandering and repetitive songs such as “Secrets Pt. II,” in which Mike D discusses his discomfort. “I got secrets,” the rapper implores, repeatedly — no, seriously, a lot — while failing to reveal one. The rapper has a musical idea, but not much of a lyrical one.
Much of the album plays out like a man in a bedroom with a vintage synth, a half dozen beered-up friends and a laptop stuffed with aging drum software. Such is true of the track “Crypto,” which purports to cast a cautious eye at greed, but lurches melodically. Ultimately, it relents to a frenetic and fuzzy declaration from Mike D of “All these people in your ear, they’re in your ear / All these people talking in your ear, in your ear” — which apparently means something to him.
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But overwhelmingly, “Thank You” is messy, noisy glitch-rap fun. Consider “I Don’t Care,” one of the top tracks. It holds a down-tempo pace and finds Mike D weighing the balance of responsibilities and their emotional returns: “We all have a role / I didn’t see mine,” he sings. “Start with a goal get lost in the deadline.” The track excels thanks to wonderful Mini Korg synth work from Hubert Blanc-Fracard, formerly one half of the French music duo Cassius.
Despite a dash of low lights, “Thank You” is refreshingly inventive. That in itself is an accomplishment. To have the aim and drive to create something this new and far afield deserves applause. He’s reaching beyond the low rung recreations of Beastie Boy flavor he could have easily leaned into. But that’s easy and accessible and where’s the fun in that?
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Credit is due here for exploration and commitment. He’s Mike D and he gets respect.
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“Thank You,” by Mike D 5D
Three stars out of five
On repeat: “I Don’t Care”
Skip it: “Crypto”
For fans of: A distressed “Paul’s Boutique”
