MF DOOM & Madlib- Madvillainy (2004)

Following his untimely death, I decided to check out arguably MF DOOM's best known album, which is a collaborative album with producer Madlib. I don't think this has been said, but for an album released in 2004, this was both ahead and exactly with its time. It sounds a lot like a mid-2000s album but also felt like it's from the future at the same time, and that isn't just due to the constant panning vocals and instruments. You could tell me that this came out in 2020 and I would believe you, and that isn't a bad thing. This is truly timeless music.

With all that being said, I can confidently say that this album isn't for me. It's a great album to put on and just listen to in the background, however, no song really jumped out at me where I said "I need to listen to that again"... or that's what I thought. When I really sat down on my final listen before writing this, I realized how great this project actually is. I love this project, and would probably listen to quite a few of these again, however, I feel like the opposite is happening with funeral homes and Lavender House. I would want to listen to this from front to back, but only individual songs a couple times. The majority of them were all under 2 minutes, however, that doesn't mean that there are no good songs on here. It's an album I can appreciate. I know and understand why this is popular and why so many people like it. It's a fun record and it's an easy listen. It isn't up in your face but it isn't total noise, so here is a song by song analysis of it all:

Track 1: The Illest Villains

A really nice opener. It feels like you're being brought in to an old timey batman show. I love the tripped out instrumental that you only notice if you listen hard enough. It's actually a really great intro.

Track 2: Accordion

Well they weren't lying. The titular instrument sounds great, its the perfect mix of chill and tense with the lyrics and accordion but the flow is smooth and makes you feel like you're relaxed, it's a weird feeling and I love it. I just wish it lasted longer.

Track 3: Meat Grinder

Not a fan of the first half, the bass is so dirty but smooth, the sound effects really add to the feeling of it, by now, you know what you're getting into and it does a good job at keeping you in the album

Track 4: Bistro

I like artists that take their music seriously but have fun with it, and this song kinda proves that. I love how it's just them talking about food and it's a nice way to say "this isn't all going to be serious" literally they tell you to relax, not in a menacing way (cough rose mulet) but it's a nice short song

Track 5: Raid

The lead instrument is good... it's like a piano...? idk but this song doesn't waste any time, and that is great in an album like this, the weird sampling in the middle feels a bit out of place, though.

Track 6: America's Most Blunted

Not a song I would casually listen to but the change in pace is nice. Lord Quas is... wait it's just madlib...? Alright. Well, he's great in this song, DOOM sounds great, and this really is a nice highlight. Kind of a shame how this is so early in the tracklist, would've been great if this was in the middle to give the thing a good boost. also wtf is that grass bit at the end

Track 7: Sickfit

One of the very nice "interludes" in this album, it transitions from Most Blunted really well. One thing that I am really fascinated by is songs that are repetitive that don't get old, like you want it to never end and this is a perfect example. Nice transition into the next song.

Track 8: Rainbows

Switching it up... nice. I mean, it's definitely an interesting cut, it feels like a big hook, and while that necessarily isn't a bad thing, I just wish that they would've explored and did more with the song. Also I love how they bring back the tape playing to remind you that this is still a villain themed album

Track 9: Curls

One of the weaker cuts on here, not sure why. It seems a bit too similar to the surrounding songs, but it still stands out, the synths at the end are nice, though.

Track 10: Do Not Fire!

First of all, great name, second, one of the better instrumentals on the record, basically just due to how unpredictable it is and how it's trying to get on my nerves with the constant panning. It's a great cut but ends way too soon

Track 11: Money Folder

stere-ere-o. nice burst of energy, i love the beat cut, the verses carry it, but that's not a bad thing. Not much to say, it's really a good song.

Track 12: Shadows of Tomorrow

Quas is back, baby. I like his verse at the beginning, however, i don't know how to feel about the second half. I like the instrumental but I'm not sure about DOOM's verse on here, not sure why

Track 13: Operation Lifesaver

This is actually really unexpected but it really sounds nice on its placement in the tracklist. I love how the tape sounds really natural on here. I love how smooth the song transitions into whatever the hell at the end, but it's a good song.

Track 14: Figaro

The muted synth on here is great, I love how nice and natural it feels on this record and song in specific. DOOM is great as always, love how this is another song about food but also about the patty cake nursery rhyme, connecting it to his sex life, which is surprisingly a funny concept to think about.

Track 15: Hardcore Hustle

Love how this is the more riskier tracks... still not very good, though. I don't know about you, but I don't want to hear a guy moaning for a full minute. The opening verse is pretty alright.

Track 16: Strange Ways

I love the sampling on this one. The verses are kinda forgettable, however, the sampled singing is great and fits really really well. I love the instrumental on this one, it's really really nice to listen to

Track 17: Fancy Clown

y e s. I have no idea what it is but this a really great cut, maybe it's the feature, but there really just isn't much to say about this, besides from it's one of the best songs on here. The ending bit is great.

Track 18: Eye

Stacy's hook on here seems like a real nice breath of fresh air, I love when you think it is repetitive and reusing ideas, they go and throw in another element in there, which is Stacy Epps's singing, which sounds really beautiful.

Track 19: Supervillain Theme

A really fun track, kinda ends too soon for it to go anywhere, which is a shame

Track 20: All Caps

Nice to listen to. It is good in the moment, and I can see this being a highlight for people, however, the instrumental old timey superhero theme song is really nice. It's really a track that's there to keep your attention as you're nearing the end of the record, which I don't mind.

Track 21: Great Day

Eh, one of the weaker ones on here. The keyboards are great, but besides from that, there isn't as much to note as the other tracks

Track 22: Rhinestone Cowboy

A bit anti-climactic. I was sort of expecting something more, especially since this is the longest song on here. This is more or less a forgettable closer and it doesn't really leave me with anything, which I really was expecting it to.

Overall, this is a solid release. It is an album that feels like an album. Every song might not be a standout hit, however, every song is there with a purpose. This project is a good size, with it only being 46 minutes long, and it's just an overall good record to just turn on. I don't know if these are automatically going into my playlist, but I came into this project with a mindset of "rap isn't for me, but I am giving this a chance, let's see what we get." and I came out of it wanting to hear more rap music being experimental like this. I like projects like this where it might be a bit risky to put out, but this project is going to stick around for a long time, simply because of how well it has aged, listening to this in very early '21. Rest in peace, MF DOOM, you will be missed.

7/10