Ruined

A collaboration between Kid606 and celebrated New Jersey hiphop trio Dälek, known for their constant touring, highly gifted lyricism, stream-of-consciousness rhyming, forward-thinking, bomb-squad rhythms, and Big Black-inspired clusters of noise. Alternately moving between languid arrangements reminiscent of vintage Amiri Baraka fronting free jazz ensembles to synth-driven glitch hop and Chain-Reaction-meets-digital-hardcore, Kid606's contributions evoke a sense of darkness and confrontation (in place of his customary in-your-face rhythmic assaults or clouds of blissful ambience). If the swirling sax-like sounds of the original "Ruin It, Ruin Them, Ruin Yourself, Then Ruin Me," and the faux-sitar processes don't defy your expectations, the gorgeous CD-only track, "Vague Recollection" will knock you flat with austere, distorted allusions to an overheated Hammond organ.