Their reception was clear when the response was returned few times. Maybe Oddjobs aren't "even cooler than Cool Hand Luke" as they boasted.
Few songs fought their way out of the jumble of melodies.
Their most recent single, "Drybones," featured a catchy chorus, while "Running Out of Time" was more intricately performed. The latter showcased the MCs' tight unity as they bounced rhymes off one another.
After another failed attempt at audience participation, this time trying to get the audience to divide and yell "high" and "low" when prompted, the group attempted to delve deeper with some "spoken word."
The "spoken word" involved an impromptu yet obviously well-rehearsed joke involving the poem "I am a bird/I am a snail." The MCs then launched into a rap similar to the "spoken word," beginning with the rhyme, "I am the baddest barracuda ever seen in the sea."
Although the majority of lyrics were inaudible, those that were heard showed some impressive lyric writing. The two friends were a powerful working combo, bouncing lyrics and lines off each other throughout the show.
Unity was apparent between the MCs, but they lacked a unity with music pushed by the DJs. The turntables and vocals became a messy mismatch of music.
Like the beats that backed them up, the energy from Advizor and Crescent Moon seemed overpowering. Veins jumped from their necks as they rapped, waving their arms and dancing around the stage.
Their energy was unmatched by the crowd, who nodded their heads and occasionally threw up their arms in agreement to the rhymes.
One MC noted, "Y'all have some energy; this is lovely." The comment was more appropriate for the group itself.
Introducing one song, the MCs boasted, "You can rock out ... to this one." Oddjobs didn't forget to rock out, but the audience never got in the groove.
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The Arts & Entertainment Editor can be reached at artsdesk@unc.edu.
