Soul Coughing

Soul Coughing has something for everyone

Soul Coughing
"El Oso"
Slash records

Mix equal parts beat poet Jack Kerouac, revolutionary rappers A Tribe Called Quest, mix thoroughly with a hearty mix of dance breakbeats and minimalist guitar parts, and your outcome could only be Soul Coughing. Soul Coughing's newest release, "El Oso," sticks to this formula to a tee, and proves that many molds of music can be blended to form a more successful enterprise.
Soul Coughing was an unheard of band until their hit single "Super Bon Bon" appeared on "Irresistible Bliss" in 1996, and that only gave them limited attention among the masses. Industry big wigs, DJs, and esoteric music fanatics everywhere have been counting the days until "El Oso's" release, as was demonstrated by write-ups in SPIN magazine, CMJ new music guide and Alternative Press. The album does not disappoint, nor does it stray from their tried and true mix of dance, rap, alterna-rock, and ambient beats. Of the 14 songs found on "El Oso," not one is a weak song, and over half of them have infinitely catchy beats.
The first single, "Circles," is already on heavy rotation on the Point, and despite the inability of critics to pigeonhole Soul Coughing into any one genre, the cd has sold well in its first week out. Soul Coughing may very well pass over the brink of truly alternative music, and become the next big thing without sacrificing any of their musical integrity, a fantasy held by many musicians.
Even with its slower beats, "El Oso" begs to be danced to and the lyrics are thought provoking to the point that they demand to be listened to. Soul Coughing's "El Oso" is an album for those wishing to try something different. With everything from rap, rock, dance, ambient, and even some jazz thrown in, it will appeal to many. -Cory Blackwood