Artantica

For those who think of rap-metal fusion as something invented by bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit, Urban Dance Squad is back to remind you that they've been doing it for ten years now -- and from a home base in Holland. Led by a cheerful shouter named Rudeboy, this band has been shaking people's fillings loose with roaring guitar and funky drumming since Fred Durst was in junior high. Now, after an extended hiatus that saw the band's previous albums remastered and reissued as well as Rudeboy pursuing his techno/drum'n'bass muse as a member of Junkie XL, the UDS is back with what may be its most interesting and varied album since Mental Floss for the Globe and its most compelling one since Persona Non Grata. "Letter to da Better" nicely combines singing and rapping, "Craftmatic Adjustable Girl" makes extensive use of turntablist DNA under Rudeboy's jackhammer flow, and "Music Entertainment" marks perhaps the first time a theremin has been used on a hip-hop album. Nothing here has quite the raw power of "Demagogue," but everything on this album is worth hearing more than once. ~ Rick Anderson