The Out Of Money Experience | Optimen
April 9th 2010 01:30
Link: www.theoptimen.com
Optimen
The Out Of Money Experience
Sophomore Album, Out Nationally on Friday April 9
Though the title might sound like a desperate plea for help in these trying times of economic uncertainty or, more predictably, the ‘old as the ages’ cliché of the starving artist, The Out Of Money Experience is really anything but. This much-anticipated sophomore album by The Optimen (The OPees to their friends – and they will take all the friends they can get) is the result of work: hard work. The sort of work that keeps you up late at night and makes you late for the next day’s “working for the man”. And it shows.
The Out Of Money Experience was heralded late last year with the release of the album’s first single Fire Fighters, which quickly had people salivating with strong reviews and airplay across the country. After five years The Optimen were back, and people were excited; Beat Magazine kicking off the party saying “The breathless efforts of three emcee s and the fat brass lines make for some very easy listening. Would totally dance to this if I was drunk” and The Dwarf exclaiming “Cue sirens, funky horns and a drum sound most hip hop crews would give their right kidney for and you’ve got yourself a slick sounding track…Bring on the album boys, it’s been too long.”
For fans and critics alike, the wait is over.
Featuring some of their favourite emcees, both from Australia (Tommy Ill, The Archetypes, Pure Product, Adverse, Lazy Grey and Rainman), two international legends in the field – Jehst (UK), Phil The Agony (USA) – and local Brisvocalists Laneous (Mr Laneous) and Kel (The Kelly Gang), The Out Of Money Experience is galvanized by its strength of guest appearances, not stirred into a turbulence by them as can be the case.
To enhance The Experience for the listener, The Optimen have continued to show considerable growth from their 2002 EP release Breath Control, their debut album Boomtown (’05) and label-showcase Red Tape Renegades: Vol 1 (’07). From the horn section reminiscent of a Japanese monster flick, sounding the impending doom and destruction like the fading echo of an air raid siren on album opener O Shit! to the sunshine and lollipops wrapped in a mother’s hug on 80s Babies - The Out Of Money Experience displays a far greater diversity of sounds and assortments of instruments than ever before heard on an Optimen record.
The album isn’t only advanced and progressive in terms of its production values and musicality, however. It is also the most diverse work that The Optimen have released topically. While they still deliver their standard (though stepped up) form of ‘battle’ inspired rhymes, replete with ‘bragadociousness’ they have dug deeper this time around, mixing through a palette that begins with reminiscing on days past (80s Babies and time pre-money troubles in Pay Cheques) to the approaching of 30th birthdays (all this year) for emcees Sammsonite, DATS and Kristoff in 30 Rock.
On The Rocks gives insight into the rocky relationship goings on the boys have with alcohol, which has been personified here, and Something in the Air featuring local hero Lazy Grey is a pseudo-socio-political address on how we could all be making greater efforts to connect with each other and put our differences aside in the name of getting high… really, really high. Before the album is through, though, The Optimen have to pay hommage to the mostly African American musicians who paved the way for them as a sample-based act but also just for the incredible and inspirational music they have gifted the world with. This track, Respecognise, features the newest Red Tape signess, The Archetypes, as well as the powerful and soulful singing voice of Kel, who takes the track out appropriately.
Indeed, for The Optimen, the last five years in the culmination up to this sophomore release have been a journey of epic proportions – and for the listener that’s what The Out Of Money Experience brings – it’s a journey.
If this isn't your new favourite album for this year then it won't be far from it, or your money back*.
*Not a real guarantee.
OPTIMONEY
Whether you’re a social recluse, or just too busy to get to the shops, you can still get your hands on a copy of The Out Of Money Experience. All you have to do is head over to the Optimen website www.theoptimen.com to pre-order yourself a copy, all without the hassle of putting shoes on! That's right – it gets delivered straight to your door, Homeschool.
Not only that, the first 500 retail copies will also get $5 of 'Optimoney', which is already rumoured to be the official currency of the 2012 'end of the world as we know it'. Each $5 piece of Optimoney can be used towards your purchase from our new online store @ www.theoptimen.com, so make sure to hold onto it when you get it and don't throw it away, because it could save you real dollars!
All pre-orders also get an amazingly awesome signed poster by The Optimen. Who says you only get chocolate for Easter!
The Out Of Money Experience is in stores April 9 through Red Tape Entertainment / Inertia Distribution
The Out Of Money Experience
Sophomore Album, Out Nationally on Friday April 9
Though the title might sound like a desperate plea for help in these trying times of economic uncertainty or, more predictably, the ‘old as the ages’ cliché of the starving artist, The Out Of Money Experience is really anything but. This much-anticipated sophomore album by The Optimen (The OPees to their friends – and they will take all the friends they can get) is the result of work: hard work. The sort of work that keeps you up late at night and makes you late for the next day’s “working for the man”. And it shows.
The Out Of Money Experience was heralded late last year with the release of the album’s first single Fire Fighters, which quickly had people salivating with strong reviews and airplay across the country. After five years The Optimen were back, and people were excited; Beat Magazine kicking off the party saying “The breathless efforts of three emcee s and the fat brass lines make for some very easy listening. Would totally dance to this if I was drunk” and The Dwarf exclaiming “Cue sirens, funky horns and a drum sound most hip hop crews would give their right kidney for and you’ve got yourself a slick sounding track…Bring on the album boys, it’s been too long.”
For fans and critics alike, the wait is over.
To enhance The Experience for the listener, The Optimen have continued to show considerable growth from their 2002 EP release Breath Control, their debut album Boomtown (’05) and label-showcase Red Tape Renegades: Vol 1 (’07). From the horn section reminiscent of a Japanese monster flick, sounding the impending doom and destruction like the fading echo of an air raid siren on album opener O Shit! to the sunshine and lollipops wrapped in a mother’s hug on 80s Babies - The Out Of Money Experience displays a far greater diversity of sounds and assortments of instruments than ever before heard on an Optimen record.
The album isn’t only advanced and progressive in terms of its production values and musicality, however. It is also the most diverse work that The Optimen have released topically. While they still deliver their standard (though stepped up) form of ‘battle’ inspired rhymes, replete with ‘bragadociousness’ they have dug deeper this time around, mixing through a palette that begins with reminiscing on days past (80s Babies and time pre-money troubles in Pay Cheques) to the approaching of 30th birthdays (all this year) for emcees Sammsonite, DATS and Kristoff in 30 Rock.
On The Rocks gives insight into the rocky relationship goings on the boys have with alcohol, which has been personified here, and Something in the Air featuring local hero Lazy Grey is a pseudo-socio-political address on how we could all be making greater efforts to connect with each other and put our differences aside in the name of getting high… really, really high. Before the album is through, though, The Optimen have to pay hommage to the mostly African American musicians who paved the way for them as a sample-based act but also just for the incredible and inspirational music they have gifted the world with. This track, Respecognise, features the newest Red Tape signess, The Archetypes, as well as the powerful and soulful singing voice of Kel, who takes the track out appropriately.
Indeed, for The Optimen, the last five years in the culmination up to this sophomore release have been a journey of epic proportions – and for the listener that’s what The Out Of Money Experience brings – it’s a journey.
If this isn't your new favourite album for this year then it won't be far from it, or your money back*.
*Not a real guarantee.
OPTIMONEY
Whether you’re a social recluse, or just too busy to get to the shops, you can still get your hands on a copy of The Out Of Money Experience. All you have to do is head over to the Optimen website www.theoptimen.com to pre-order yourself a copy, all without the hassle of putting shoes on! That's right – it gets delivered straight to your door, Homeschool.
Not only that, the first 500 retail copies will also get $5 of 'Optimoney', which is already rumoured to be the official currency of the 2012 'end of the world as we know it'. Each $5 piece of Optimoney can be used towards your purchase from our new online store @ www.theoptimen.com, so make sure to hold onto it when you get it and don't throw it away, because it could save you real dollars!
All pre-orders also get an amazingly awesome signed poster by The Optimen. Who says you only get chocolate for Easter!
The Out Of Money Experience is in stores April 9 through Red Tape Entertainment / Inertia Distribution
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