Odd Nosdam – Flippies Best Tape
This is probably one of the most difficult (or easiest) reviews I’ve written – precisely because the new LP from David Madson A.K.A. Odd Nosdam is packed with some 60+ tracks spread across four sides of vinyl, all of which are untitled. The tracks aren’t really mixed together as such – for which I mean that they don’t ‘merge’ into each other in a typical DJ fashion – but instead they’re woven together through samples and various pieces of recordings. The tracks themselves are short – many tick in at just over the one-minute mark – making the whole package feel like a scrapbook of ideas & memories. And what a scrapbook – the music flits about all over the place – there’s no one style as such, albeit it does lean towards a definite retro feel. Sometimes there’s a pseudo-Motown feel to the music (FBT#10) and other times a haze of psychedelic guitar-rock (FBT#12 / FBT#15).
The overall feel is one of a patchwork of hundreds of ideas. There’s actually not a great deal of music which Madson actively looks to exclude – and some of the joins between tracks can either feel disjointed or make you inclined to reach for a joint… Either way, how we go from deeply heavy bass to a sample of a guy who sounds like he’s straight out of the 60s TV show ‘Bewitched’ proudly exclaiming: “Hey, let me tell you what happened to me… Well, rocking one day in my rocking chair…” is a constant source of interest – and then all of a sudden everything changes once again…
The album takes several listens to get into the vibe. It’s sometimes a disturbing trip through a 60s club, the smell of weed hanging in the air (FBT#17) – whilst at other times carries the alt-rock sensibilities of the 60s and early 70s (FBT#21 / FBT#33 / FBT#54).
Overall, Flippies Best Tape ticks in at some 80 minutes, which certainly makes for an extended audition – but also makes it a great album for parties. It’s not at all like anything contemporary and because it’s mainly instrumental (albeit there are many vocal samples) – and random in its direction – it’s either a late night listen or music to play at the most hip of get-togethers with a group of mates.
It’s difficult to offer references for other music which might lead you to purchasing this album, since there are so many different styles present; certainly a passion for leftfield 60s/early 70s music would be a good place to start. It’s exactly the kind of album which would go down a storm at Piccadilly Records in Manchester – they love this kind of stuff in there (I was about to say that they’re a bunch of hippies – but one of the guys who works there is half my age and wasn’t even born when Piccadilly Records moved out of, ahem, Piccadilly).
Highlights? FBT#37. FBT#15. FBT#52. Actually… all of it, the whole damned lot. If you’re seeking music which offers constant surprises then this double LP should easily fit the bill.
~Flippies Best Tape is available now on limited-edition clear vinyl (100 copies) and black vinyl (400 copies).~