My new favorite song? Busdriver’s “Casting Agents and Call Girls” off his upcoming album, Roadkillovercoat. Unfortunately I did not get the OK to post it. They did, however, give me the go-ahead to post “Kill Your Employer,” another prime cut of the new album.

MP3: Busdriver - Kill Your Employer
Working at a college radio station has done wonders for my musical tastes. It seems like every day I’m exposed to someone’s music that will push my tastes. Some stick (electroclash) and some do not (noise), but it’s always interesting. Case in point, for two years I always came on after a hip-hop show. No matter what time or what day, I was always on after hip-hop. But here’s the great part: it was good hip-hop. They played MF Doom, J Dilla and too many others to name. So slowly but surely, I’ve spent the past three years becoming acclimated to good hip hop; and in a way, it almost feels like I’ve been preparing myself for this album. It’s not something to take lightly.

A skilled hip-hop artist has many weapons at his disposal and knows when, and how, to use them. Take Busdriver for example. The production’s all there on “Kill Your Employer,” but he doesn’t rely too heavily on it. Too many Top 40 rap artists try to ride their hook like a lame horse. It might work for a while, but you won’t get very far. Rather, Busdriver delivers his lyrical wit with the speed of a Shakespearean work fired from a cannon. It’s cutting delivery for some socially relevant material.

Busdriver on Myspace
Buy the “Kill Your Employer” 12″

Busdriver also guests with Subtitle on the new Islands record and it just so happens to be my favorite song from it.

MP3: Islands - Where There’s a Will There’s a Whalebone

Still at CMJ