Ordinary Man

Debut release from UK act signed to Massive Attack's Melankolic label. For fans of Beck, Eels and Massive Attack. Featuring 'Bedroom Dancing' from the 'Cruel Intentions' soundtrack. French Limited Edition. Includes a bonus 3 track CD of previously unrelea

Day One's underground hip-pop debut is the kind of literate yet accessible rainy-day disc that slowly insinuates itself into your life. You find yourself singing along to it even when it's not on the stereo, or trying to picture what a character in a particular song looks like in person. Ordinary Man borrows equally from the upbeat, lyrical hip-hop of De La Soul, the moody, intricate trip-hop of Massive Attack, and the melodic, laid-back storytelling style of Wyclef Jean. "In Your Life"--a positively sweet ditty with lyrics that wrap slice-of-life love stuff up with a taste of self-deprecating humor--is a musical update of Cornershop-style multicultural indie pop. The rhymes are wordy but slow; the beats are phat, dance-world-savvy, and downbeat; and the melodies are original (i.e., they're not all stolen from Sting or Bob Marley). It's quite a record. --Mike McGonigal