Album Review: The Beatroot Road – Humanimal
There are myriad approaches to carving out a place on the musical landscape. Some artists feel most comfortable in a particular style, be it Americana, Scandinavian death metal, hip hop, EDM or somesuch else. Others prefer to defy easy labels, bending each project (song, album, video, whatever) to the stylistic needs, predilections or obsessions of the moment.
The latter seems to be the chosen path of The Beatroot Road. Each of the ten songs on Humanimal charts its own musical path, seemingly unencumbered by what the previous or next track sounds like. The title track ls melodic, hypnotic electronica. “Underground Roots” is equal parts Middle Eastern atmospherics, Latin beats and a very subtle prog sensibility. It’s weird, wild and entrancing.
“Arlington” is a wide-screen romantic pop of the sultry variety. The ghostly vocals are alluring, with a character suggesting a film soundtrack. “Milte Hi Ankhen” is a jarring left turn, with an exotic Northern African (or Southeast Asian? Or Both?) character. The hip hop vocals that come in part way through the song are unexpected, to say the least. “Dance, Sinners, Dance” combines a reggae beat with some other textures that wouldn’t seme to fit (but kinda do).
There isn’t a lot beyond eclecticism that ties these tracks together, so listeners looking for a unified or consistent musical character are likely to find themselves bewildered by Humanimal. But for more adventurous listeners, the album is undeniably fascinating.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.