Horris Records – July 10, 2020
(Sunday) Schoolhouse Rock
Since the first time I heard Andrew Nielsen, AKA MC Lars, on 2004’s nerdcore rap classic The Laptop EP I knew he had a knack for getting into some unique situations, whether that meant sampling Piebald, creating an imaginary screamo band for the chorus of “Signing Emo,” or spitting Poe verses on “Mr. Raven.” This is a man that has somehow been invited to open for Nas, Say Anything, and Insane Clown Posse, had guest spots from “Weird Al” Yankovic, The Donnas, and Wheatus plus written an EP entirely based in the world of Roger Rabbit with 2018’s Notes from Toontown. Somehow though he has continued to pull off the sort of “WTF” moments that one would never expect and that didn’t stop this year with The Bible LP. Yup… its a full length all about the Bible.
The Oxford-educated Nielsen has previously released plenty of singles and albums regarding poetry and prose, but the self-proclaimed originator of “lit-hop,” has decided to base a full length album on the greatest story ever told. It would be easy for audiences to worry that things are either going to get preachy or mock people for their beliefs, but that’s just not Lars’ style. The subject matter is well researched and despite the catchy hooks and hilarious word play, there is a reverence to the LP.
The first seven tracks are focused on the Old Testament as MC Lars presents an intelligent and absurdist take on the good book. Opener “You Only Had One Job” bops through the story of creation and the fall of man, before Noah takes center stage in “That Means No More Unicorns” which includes a 25 second outro giving credit to a Far Side comic panel for the inspiration. “Sodom and Good Morals” is the last of Genesis based tracks following Lot’s protection of his angelic visitors.
The Bible LP covers Exodus, David and Goliath, Jonah and the Whale and somehow even manages to shoehorn Joe Exotic references in the Daniel in the Lion’s Den story on “Carole Baskin on these Fools.” Now the Gospel of Lars explores Luke with the birth of Jesus getting the R&B treatment with “Marebnb,” injecting harmonies of “No Diggity” into no room in the inn. Luke continues to be the source material as we get to here about “Not the Last Supper.” Lars closes the full length with Revelations on “Seven Angels” explaining his reasons for the album and juxtaposing biblical verses into his rhymes to ask if the present is the end times.
MC Lars is fun enough that my kids will ask to listen to him and smart enough that I can feel good about it when they do. The Bay-Area rapper has taken from the Bible’s cup and drank from it turning the parables to verses like he was turning water into wine. As if the music wasn’t fun enough to warrant getting a copy of the album, all profits from the album will be donated to the Black Organizing Project, an Oakland-based organization that works for racial, social, and economic justice. You can read more about the organization and donate directly here.
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/
