This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive.
By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, December 2004
Handsome Boy Modeling School are Prince Paul and Dan the Automator. Prince Paul has been producing since the 80s and is most famous for his work with De La Soul. Dan the Automator you may know from Gorillaz, and a lot of the creativity and originality of their self-titled album shows through in White People.
Rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop seem to merge into one genre well. With enough talent and fun, a great record can be made. This one benefits from guests like Cat Power, The Mars Volta, Qbert, De La Soul and many more, including John Oates… yes John Oates.
When I first put this album on, I had some expectations. Their debut album was incredible, everyone said to me “that Cat Power track is the best part of the album” and the other thing everyone told me was “it’s not as good as their first album”. I hate to disagree with so many people I like, but I think the Cat Power track “I’ve Been Thinking” is actually quite boring and one of the worst tracks on the album. It drags the album in a place that could have actually ruined the entire album. If it hadn’t been followed with the best track on the album “Rock and Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This) Part 2” it probably would have ruined the album.
“Rock And Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This) Part 2” is one of the most interesting songs I’ve heard in a long time. The introduction introduces the listener to early days of hip hop, while mixing rock and roll, classical music and rap. With Qbert scratching Vivaldi’s Four Seasons blending rather perfectly with moments of hip hop and rock and roll.
“First… And Then”, “If It Wasn’t For You” and “Breakdown” are some other highlights. What makes these stand out from the others is that they are all original in their approach and create an interesting sound not found anywhere else. At other times, White People can be too derivative. “The World’s Gone Bad” sounds too much like a bad Bob Marley song and gets very annoying very quickly.
Filler tracks are throughout the album with “testimonials’ about the wonders of The Handsome Boy Modeling School. These comedic tracks might make you look funny on the subway laughing at the outright stupidity of it, but it’s all good fun.