Amplivate BY Kid Beyond Reviewed by Jason Shaffner    According to Wikipedia, “beatboxing is the vocal percussion of hip hop culture and music.” What would an entire album of beatboxing sound like? Kid Beyond answers this question on his debut EP, Amplivate, but only the savviest listeners will guess that the four-piece band they think they hear is actually a lone man with a talent for twisting his voice into unexpected shapes.Kid Beyond takes beatboxing far past the human drum machine; indeed, every sound on Amplivate emerges from his throat. The snare taps, bass thumps, and turntable distortions one might expect sit front-and-center, and Kid Beyond performs beatbox standards with aplomb. What distinguishes him from other purveyors of his art, however, is that he does not stop at rhythm, pronouncing guitar licks, synth beats, and brass wails too. Employing a digital looping machine, Kid Beyond layers these various “instrumental” tracks beneath a surprisingly competent singing voice. Amplivate is a strong trip-hop debut, much more than merely an experiment in stretching the boundaries of beatbox. Amplivate begins with an excellent cover of Portishead’s “Wandering Star.” Although the background rhythm on this track closely resembles traditional beatbox, Kid Beyond immediately introduces us to his voice. Hold the presses, everyone: he has the chops to complement those beats. “Mothership” wields a funkier hip-hop sound, as Kid Beyond turns up the bass and blasts the trumpets. While I remain skeptical of any Mothership lacking George Clinton at the helm, this is a fun track, and Kid Beyond’s rhymes prove stronger than expected. Changing tack again, “Deep Inside” burns slowly, fueled by a potent bass line and heartfelt vocals; the drum track remains sparse and quiet. The first ninety seconds of “I Shall Be Free,” the fourth and final original track on the EP, are flush with plot. A man encounters a soldier who says he is fighting against greed and hatred: “When you love without limits, unconditionally, / When you love without fear, then you shall be free.” Fortunately, if you listen past these earnest but corny lyrics, you will find a solid song with a catchy hook. Amplivate is an exciting debut from an artist who has been wowing audiences for years with his onstage virtuosity, having performed alongside such varied acts as Buckethead, String Cheese Incident, and Imogen Heap. As jaw-dropping as his live performances might be, looped beatboxing faces a challenge when the listener cannot see the performer. Although I harbored my own doubts about how his talent would translate into digital form, Amplivate proves me wrong. |
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