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Review: MF Doom – Unexpected Guests

November 9, 2009 | Written by Stone

Category: Reviews | Tags:

4.5/5

DOOMcoversmall

MF Doom is a tortured soul. The Masked Black Man created the Doom persona out of the ashes of the failed KMD hip-hop group back in the day, and he has grown to become somewhat of a legend in the underground hip-hop community. Even though Doom has damaged his brand by duping paying fans with lip-syncing impostors (from which he says is a part of the plan–“If I was to go out there without the mask on, they’d be like, ‘Who the fuck is this?’ I might send a white dude next … I’ll send a Chinese nigger. I’ll send ten Chinese niggers. I might send the Blue Man Group.”) there is still a demand for Dumile to drop another album.

However, the long awaited followup to 2004’s Mmm…Food and 2005’s The Mouse And The Mask still seems to be on hold. There hasn’t been a peep from Doom’s camp about a possible release and his fans aren’t holding their breath to see it reach the light of da. Even though Doom claims to be in the studio, constant delays, and the lack of information has almost forced fans to give up.

At least there is Unexpected Guests to hold us over.

Unexpected Guests throws together an impressive amount Doom rarities, including KMD’s “Sorcerers,” “ Quite Buttery” with Count Bass D, and other collaborations with Masta Killa, Talib, Gza, including one offs like “One More Ale,” 12 inch rarities like “My Favorite Ladies,” as well as the previously unreleased Dilla collabo “Sniper Elite.” Instead of the thrown together sound of similar projects, Unexpected Guests is sequenced in such a way that it sounds like a cohesive and complete album.

Until Doom gets his act together and drops a proper followup project, Unexpected Guest will serve as a fitting substitute. Gold Dust is known for somehow finding the rarest tracks possible for their compilations, and this time they dug deep, finding cuts that I’m sure Mr. Dumille himself didn’t know he had. For the Doom fan, this is a must have. For the casual listener, its a portal into the world of rap’s most complicated mind. Buy this album today.

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Profile: Recognized as an international music tastemaker by industry insiders and musicians "in the know," Stone (aka Winston Ford) is the creator of The Couch Sessions, the premier online destination for alternative urban music and culture.

9 comments

  1. rafi

    “However, the long awaited followup to 2004’s Mmm…Food and 2005’s The Mouse And The Mask still seems to be on hold. There hasn’t been a peep from Doom’s camp about a possible release and his fans aren’t holding their breath to see it reach the light of da. Even though Doom claims to be in the studio, constant delays, and the lack of information has almost forced fans to give up.

    At least there is Unexpected Guests to hold us over.”

    Apparently you somehow missed Born Like This from spring of this year?

    Comment by rafi on November 9, 2009 at 11:02 am

  2. ben

    yeh do your research, born like this is one of the best hip hop albums of 2009! also this unexpected guests cd is ok but nothings that rare really… ive had it all for ages, does anyone know though if ? feat kurious is a different version or the same as operation doomsday?

    Comment by ben on November 9, 2009 at 12:36 pm

  3. Ben Jammin’

    Come on Stone. Really.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MF_Doom_discography

    Comment by Ben Jammin' on November 9, 2009 at 5:05 pm

  4. DJ Underdog

    Bless,

    I am doing the album release party tomorrow. Here are some of the flyer links. Stay Up and if u can post the flyer, I got u on a cd. Bless !
    Fusicology
    http://www.fusicology.com/new/index/events/detail.cfm?rid=31&id=26628
    Washington Post
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bar-club-events/mf-doom-album-release-party-and-karaoke-contest,1159422.html
    EF Lifestyle
    http://www.eflifestyle.com/2009/11/mf-doom-album-release-party-karaoke.html
    Well and Good
    http://wellandgoood.blogspot.com/2009/11/events.html
    DC to BC
    http://dctobc.com/mfkaraoke

    Comment by DJ Underdog on November 10, 2009 at 7:45 pm

  5. Funk Cleavage

    Word dude just forgot about ‘Born To Do It’. It was a half assed effort. but still.

    Comment by Funk Cleavage on November 11, 2009 at 11:20 am

  6. Mede

    What idiot wrote this review? No wonder most journalist get paid crappy money. Born Like This was a great album.

    Comment by Mede on November 16, 2009 at 1:54 pm

  7. MF Doom – Unexpected Ghost :: indie shuffle

    [...] where are you madvillainy?? we want more! until doom gets his act together and drops a proper followup project, unexpected guests will serve as a fitting substitute. gold dust is known for somehow finding the rarest tracks possible for their compilations, and this time they dug deep, finding cuts that i’m sure mr. dumille himself didn’t know he had. for the doom fan, this is a must have. for the casual listener, its a portal into the world of rap’s most complicated mind. buy this album today – The Couch Sessions [...]

    Pingback by MF Doom – Unexpected Ghost :: indie shuffle on November 17, 2009 at 10:53 pm

  8. DJ EUROK

    THIS ALBUM IS BANGING. CLASSICO

    Comment by DJ EUROK on November 18, 2009 at 1:56 pm

  9. MF Doom – Unexpected Guests :: indie shuffle

    [...] where are you madvillainy?? we want more! until doom gets his act together and drops a proper followup project, unexpected guests will serve as a fitting substitute. gold dust is known for somehow finding the rarest tracks possible for their compilations, and this time they dug deep, finding cuts that i’m sure mr. dumille himself didn’t know he had. for the doom fan, this is a must have. for the casual listener, its a portal into the world of rap’s most complicated mind. buy this album today – The Couch Sessions [...]

    Pingback by MF Doom – Unexpected Guests :: indie shuffle on November 19, 2009 at 7:16 am

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