MC Frontalot - Secrets from the Future
There’s a song on this CD about digital encryption, and another about text adventure games, which only a tiny portion of us played and remember playing over 20 years ago. Talk about reaching out to your niche audiences.
Thing is, MC Frontalot makes you want to understand, if only to work out how incredibly clever he is. Intricate rhyme schemes, well constructed backing tracks (he’s moved far beyond the simple mixing of copyrighted hooks here, moving more into the realm of original music and even a fair amount of singing) and a love of geek culture that practically makes me feel like a jock are fast becoming Front’s signature elements.
Secrets from the Future is, in every measurable way, a leap forward from his first effort — from songs about creationism, Asperger’s syndrome, a famous comic book store and the above-mentioned, among others — it’s clear he intends to charge boldy forward, beyond the Star Wars and weed smoking references. Even the couple of short skits don’t feel like padding — they’re as funny the tenth time around as they were the first.
The only slight mistteps, in my opinion, are the two remakes from his first album — “I’m Gonna Be Your Man” just doesn’t feel right without that illegally procured Dr. Teeth sample. And while “Romantic Cheapskate” actually sounds the same (sporting new lyrics that work in a bit of a broader context), I’m sorta used to the original. Sorry, man. It’s your own fault for being so damn insidious.
The piece that really makes Secrets from the Future worth the price of admission is “I Hate Your Blog.” A simple encapsulation will not do this song credit. You owe it to yourself (and Front) to plunk down the $15 and check it out.
This album is available exclusively at MC Frontalot’s website.