albumreview: Tyler, The Creator's Goblin (2011)

Tyler, The Creator, lead miscreant rapper and producer of LA's hot rap collective Odd Future Wolfgang Kill Them All, is one of the many alternative celebrities more famous for what they do as opposed to the music they are making. And yes, Odd Future's horror-core rap revival where only good "bitches" is ones who, "suck dick and washes dishes," has garnered plenty of controversy, it's Tyler's playfully antagonistic relationship with bloggers, journalists and just about anybody with an opinion, that is currently in the spotlight.

So does this mean I'm going to wax endlessly about the context in which Goblin was produced (I'm looking at Anthony Fantano) or the nature of why Odd Future is so important right now (I'm looking at you Pitchfork). Tyler, The Creator knows the exact audience that will be listening to his new record.. It's white-bread middle-class bloggers like you and me.

Herein lies the creative spark at the center of Tyler's second album. There are the knowingly ridiculous bangers like "Translyvania," and "Bitch Suck Dick," the songs/skits that are merely there to address/confuse the audience, opener "Goblin" and closer "Golden," and roundabout radio slow jams, "She" and "Analog." Ultimately it's up to us to engage with Goblin's brighter moments.

So yes, a lot of Tyler's album is more enjoyable because of the context of its release, but I hesitate to write off Odd Future as merely progenitors of a new wave of bad taste. Maybe we are long overdue for the release of the suburban Id. Just like the revolutions in the middle east in the spring, a simmering angst lurks in the complacency of the Target generation. Is Goblin a call to arms for a no-holds-fuck-everything-style of chaotic retribution? Time will tell.

Listen:
Tyler, The Creator-"Transylvania"
Tyler, The Creator-"Analog (Feat. Hodgy Beats)"

Look:
Odd Future official site
ps. I'm aware I blathered on about context, but take that to mean what it will