Sukpatch - Haulin’ Grass & Smokin’ Ass

RELIVING SUMMERTIME BLISS AD NAUSEAM

Well, this is obscure. Even the process of listening to Sukpatch's Haulin' Grass and Smokin' Ass proved nigh-on impossible. It was recommended in a comically-long list of influences for Lil Ugly Mane's Volcanic Bird Enemy. How does it stack up against the myriad of dubious connections to my inevitable AOTY? Musically, there's issues I'll comment on in a moment. But stylistically, it's a no-doubter. Chris Heidman's breathy, concave vocals, in conjunction with Sukpatch's excitable aura and heavy reliance on percussion, finds commonality in the crevices of Lil Ugly Mane's masterpiece, namely tracks like 'Benadryl Submarine,' 'VPN,' and 'Stock Car.' There's even awkward, sample-led transitions between tracks, like flicking through TV channels, and a guileless view on mangy surrealism. Interestingly, though they reached the same destination, Sukpatch did so through adolescent, summertime nostalgia - fuzzy and rose-colored - while Lil Ugly Mane endured medicated drug addiction on his way to idealism.

Now to the negative, and it's a noticeable one. The drums. They play a pivotal role in every song, but they're ripped from well-known drum breaks like The Incredible Bongo Band's 'Apache,' The Honeydrippers' 'Impeach The President,' and The Winstons' 'Amen, Brother.' All incredibly prominent, impossible to ignore. Sure, Sukpatch's humble amateurism benefits from such DIY-construction, but the prevailing dominance of such Hip-Hop mainstays proves to be Haulin' Grass' fatal flaw. 'Flock-Sultan,' 'Smooth Guys,' 'High-Lawn.' Really any of the 15 songs start, end, and grind through unmistakably bland percussion. However, combining such cheap annoyance with rudimentary psychedelics (a la Silver Apples) and frankly-adorable vocals has its merits. Songs like 'Florida Orange,' 'Stained-n-Strained,' and 'Bucked Hide' flourish in the elementary. There's a school vacation nonchalance that wafts through the air of Haulin' Grass, as montage music for sedated pool parties, romantic flings, and bike rides to the park fill the air. While straightforward, the rhythms and melodies are intoxicatingly-economical (seen on 'Straightest Lines' and 'St. Louis Runs').

There's even instances, oddly enough, where Sukpatch's legitimate, Lo-Fi baldness finds equal amongst the rejuvenated Bedroom Pop of today. 'Hollow Tips' is the most obvious; subtle and satisfying. I'm reminded of Bedbug or Floating Action; left alone to their own devices. On the flip side though, the aberrant Alternative Dance of the early 90's emerges on 'Flock-Sultan,' 'C.King,' and 'Au Pair,' acting as a little brother to The Stone Roses. Incapable of polish, yet retaining all the charm. Which, just so happens, to be an accurate description of Haulin' Grass & Smokin' Ass.