CEX - "Maryland Mansions"
Jade Tree Records
Equal
parts Aphex Twin and Eminem, CEX (aka Rjyan Kidwell) is the epitome of
deeply disturbing, self-hating music. If you have anxiety or self-image
issues, this may or may not be the music for you. It has the
possibility of either providing a comforting reassurance of your
worldview, or leading you to grab a razor blade and make for the
bathroom.
Maryland Mansions is a phenomenally dark album,
no doubt about it. But the fact that Kidwell manages to make such
lyrical statements work as well as they do without falling into whiney
Dashboard Confessional territory is a testiment to his lyrical
abilities.
The beats have bounce, as well. "The Strongest Suit"
induces a head-knodding fit that Dr. Dre would envy. "Stop Eating" had
me jumping up and down in my truck, scaring the hell out of passing
motorists.
CEX is on the upswing of his career. He just got done
playing All Tomorrow's Parties in the UK, alongside such big names as
Mogwai and Turbonegro. It's the next big thing, kids. Jump on the bus
so you can say you heard hime before he got big.