RJD2 – Third Hand (XL, 2007)
(This originally appeared in the Spring ‘07 issue of Skyscraper)
Everything that I read about the 3rd proper full length from RJD2 shat all over it. Occasionally in a nice way, but frequently in a manner that could not be spoken to the guys face. What we have here are 12 tracks of what RJD2 wanted to create and three tracks of what everyone else expected. Basically, in the past when an artist/producer comes to the forefront of a genre and releases something that no one immediately pounces upon, it ends up being heralded a few years later as genius. Eno, Lou Reed, whoever. No, RJD2 is neither of those gentlemen, but he has over the past few years created a body of work that no misstep can revoke. And while, for whatever reason, he sings on a vast majority of tracks, “Rules for Normal Living” sounds like Michael Jackson with some electronica at the end. This won’t climb the charts, or launch hundreds of emulations, but the minimalism of “Paper Bubbles” needed to exposed to everyone that had purchased a RJD2 recording in the past. What this slab proves is two fold. First, RJD2 doesn’t care what you want, think or expect. And second, to be a good DJ, you must understand and utilize every genre of music you can get your hands on.
[...] as with any narrative – or career – the proceedings were poised for a misstep. Third Hand, Rj’s follow up, was summarily panned in pretty much every media outlet throughout the country [...]