REVIEW: “Gesamkunstwerk” – Dead Obies

Dead Obies, Gesamkunstwerk (Bonsound)

Recorded live at Montreal’s Phi Centre over three nights last October, the group’s second album hits like a Keb zeppelin March 4. The title, a German word that essentially translates “total, all-embracing” work of art, is bang on. Based off the live experience, the recorded product and a first video, the project captures the essence of that philosophy while avoiding any confusion that this is a “live album” — it’s an album, recorded live. Beatmaker VNCE’s signature style is enriched by live accompaniment from Kalmunity Vibe Collective, as the five MCs find their stride more confidently as individuals to create a bigger, brighter whole than they have yet achieved. Songs such as “Waiting” and “Where They @” stand to become bona fide hits, or at least move the group that much deeper into the public consciousness, for keeps. Will Gesmkunstwerk be the album that catapults Dead Obies to greater heights outside the province’s rap scene? Ich denke schon. 9/10 Trial Track: “Aweille!”