There's something about the current direction of independent hip hopthat makes it more interesting to listen to than most major labelstuff. The freedom to mix and match elements of other types ofunexpected music genres makes for great listening. Backing trackcompositions and production stand out on their own and can be just asinteresting as, if not more than, the MC's sharp rhymes and skillfuldelivery. Halifax-based Vaughn Robert Squire (aka Sixtoo) is a triplethreat as he handles the roles of DJ, MC and producer with equalprecision. Having contributed to collectives such as Anticon and theVinyl Monkeys, as well collaborating with fellow east coast Canadianhip hop artist Buck 65 for the Sebutones, Sixtoo is equally comfortablein each of those roles and the proof is apparent throughout Antagonist Survival Kit'sten tracks. The cool, relaxed groove of "A to Zero" is woven with tightrhymes and scratches, distant melodica lines and warm acoustic guitarpicking. An upper register bass guitar motif repeats on "Fear ofFlying" to clipped machine beats and pulsing synth drones beneathpolyrhythmic lines and rhymes. "Outremont Mainline Runs Across theSunset" brings sparse vibraphone to the mix of laid back, boomy drumloops and great lines such as "Love doesn't tear us apart/You see, it'sthe little things" and "When we start looking in mirrors forcharity/It's embarrassing." The impressive twenty minute instrumental"The Mile-End Artbike/Suicide Manual" moves through separate sectionsthat have the common thread of electronic/hip hop meets musiqueconcr?e, using other elements such as electric guitar, Rhodes piano andassorted percussion. Some of the disc's tracking is mixed with one andtwo minute interludes that could be seen as teasers as they stand outimmediately, only to subside and lead in the next great track. Sixtoohas been described as being an important catalyst for hip hop'sevolution and advancement. A few listens to Antagonist Survival Kit give weight to those words. Read More
