he 3 MC and 2 DJ combo, Oddjobs, are currently easing their way into national underground hip-hop stardom. Despite having strong ties with fellow Minnesotan luminaries Atmosphere and Eyedea, the Oddjobs’ increasing recognition is more than a simple case of piggybacking. With their debut album, Drums, the Oddjobs are closer to fully realizing the untapped potential exhibited on previous releases. The Shopkeeper’s Wife serves as a companion EP to the album, and continues their path as hip-hop’s new prophets of social issues that don’t sacrifice listenability under the guise of being next-level.


Due to their subject matter, tangential visions of Stevie Wonder and “Funky President” James Brown appear. The heart of the Oddjobs, production duo DJ Deetalx and Anatomy, helps cement this initial image through their unique production approach. Despite employing live musicians on only a few tracks, every composition has a breathing, organic feel. Paying close attention to detail, adding drum fills, altering the tempo, or muting extraneous elements, the duo carefully fits the mood or lyrics of the current MC speaking -- not the other way around. This is a far cry from early recordings, where the engaging production seemed separate from the MCs, and the listener’s attention would easily stray from the wordsmiths.


Each MC’s conflict, turmoil and general confusion with the ways of the world help fuel each track. The opening track, “Hypnotized”, pleads the listener to see past oversimplified projections, ranging from creating a straw man for all of one’s problems known as “The Man” to coping with a disillusionment in the American dream. Wanting to help out others on rickety paths while still trying to coming to terms with internal strife is the focus of the title track, while the (comparatively) lighter material of maturing on the mic and the desire to spread their message to the masses is explored on “The Mighty Fine”. The trio of Adviser, Nomi and Crescent Moon has grown comfortable with one another, so the mic-passing and the choruses delivered in unison comes across naturally.


The highlight is the closer, “Transparent”, which serves as an anthem for those who grew up with financially and morally deadbeat fathers. An emotionally charged solo performance by Crescent Moon is able to effectively play off of the power of the deep bass and perpetual cymbal rush. As he professes on the chorus, “We don’t need no motherfucking broke ass fathers in our life/If I see you walk the street, I promise you I won’t look twice”, anyone with a heart is working emphatic overtime.


While the relentlessly thoughtful rhymes can be overpowering at times, it serves less as a criticism towards the Oddjobs and more as a telling statement on what the listener requires of his MCs. Thus, making this EP another step forward for the group.