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A party might be in order no matter what Stepfather sounded like — it's been nearly three years since the music world last heard from the Los Angeles-based duo. That time didn't go to waste, from the sound of things; if anything, the expanse of time between releases allowed PUTS to make everything just right. There are twenty tracks on Stepfather, and not a single one of them is wasted time (not even the sample snippet "4 Dollar Afro"). All the bottled up creativity stored over the past years comes flooding out in a mad blast of funky energy. It is physically impossible to sit still while listening to this album. Much of that can be credited to the fantastic production. PUTS handle all their own production duties, and they are staunch analog loyalists. (It could be said that this makes them the Steve Albini of hip-hop, though similarities between this and Songs About Fucking end there.) The diversity of the sonic palate is overwhelming — Stepfather careens from the minimal glitch-crunch of "Pass the 40" to the hyper bounce of "Pumpin'" to the laid back party-hop of "Jamboree Part 1" and the mellow, introspective funk of "Reflections." PUTS comes off as a loose-limbed twosome willing to try anything in the service of the beat. This is especially impressive is the tidal wax-and-wane of the chorus in "You" and the snappy sample collage that kicks off "Pumpin'." This try-anything vibe extends to the lyrics as well. Thes One and Double K both possess a rhythmic flow that rides along on their beats like a gaucho on a Palomino. While not as complex or wordy as, say, Aesop Rock, PUTS' verses move at a relaxed pace that is agreeable and inviting (a nice contrast to the modern logorrheic standard in backpacker hip-hop). Their lingual dexterity is also matched by their breadth of topic; the two are comfortable rapping about whatever pops into their heads, whether it be a heartfelt ode to the families that raised them on "Days Like This" or the joys of gluttony on "Eat Street." Pop culture seems to occupy a special place in their minds, as it does for so many hip-hop artists (in "Flex Off", Thes One name-checks Miami Vice, Purple Rain, and Frank Lloyd Wright all in one breath). The main thrust, though, of many of their songs is finding ways to have a good time.

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Bio

People Under the Stairs formed when Mike Turner (Double K) and Chris Portugal (Thes One) met on the fringe of L.A.'s late-'90s hip-hop underground. The duo, devoted to jazzy samples, danceable beats, intricate rhyming skills, and laid-back humor, debuted in 1998 with the acclaimed The Next Step and followed it up in 2000 with Question in the Form of an Answer. Gathering heavy praise and touring with De La Soul, the group took their road experiences and brought it to the studio to record their next album. The final results appeared in the summer of 2002 under the name O.S.T. This highly acclaimed release, which sound-scanned over 35,000 to date, brought People Under The Stairs to the forefront of underground hip-hop. Its follow-up album, Or Stay Tuned complemented this release and allowed the group to headline nation-wide tours.

Known for serving up playful back-and-forth rhymes set to vinyl-centric production, Thes One and Double K are now back with Stepfather. "People are really going to be surprised by this album, says Thes One, Were flipping the script on this one, coming with an extremely progressive approach. We study a lot of music theory and classic material, and this album reflects that. Even when we did the old school tracks on the album, we still tried to push the envelope with vocal settings and drum patterns. Using obscure vintage drum machines and running mic pre-amps to the point of intentional distortion, PUTS created a sonic kaleidoscope of textured and layered beats which are complimented by their refreshingly cool narratives of the L.A. Hip Hop life. A better description of Stepfather might be that of a Hip Hop history book on tape. From the old school beats with those classic SP 1200 drums and rich Hammond organ keys to new school progressive tracks with live guitar and bass, Stepfather is by far PUTSs most intricate and musically advanced album.

Production aside, Stepfather also offers a much more personal perspective into the lives of Thes One and Double K. On the track Days Like This, Double K reflects on his modest upbringing and the struggles that his mother endured in order to provide for the family, while Thes One offers a personal thanks to his father who labored has a fruit field worker so that his son may live a better life. On Reflections, Double K and Thes One lament in vivid detail their recognition of the moral vacuum that plagues todays society. From these heavy hearted songs to the light and head nodding barbecue anthems such as Jamboree pt. 1, Thes One and Double K explore the spectrum of human emotions and offer their most personal music to date. With an amazing live show and a loyal fan base hungry for their next album, People Under The Stairs Stepfather will undoubtedly be one of Hip Hops biggest releases of 2006! Stepfather features guest appearances from legendary Funkadelic and Parliament member George Clinton, Monty Stark (Stark Reality), and Kat of Crown City Rockers. The album also includes a bonus documentary-style DVD that includes show footage and a short film.

Label: Basement

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