The Loneliest Punk (RSD 2019 Exclusive)

It took roughly a decade for Fatlip to make his solo debut, but the generation shift (or two) aside, The Loneliest Punk is indeed an enjoyable album, regardless of how out-of-time it seems. The onetime Pharcyde member retains everything dazzling about that group before it lost its dazzle in the wake of Labcabincalifornia, most notably a goofy demeanor spelled out in rambling rhymes that skip along carnival-esque productions. It's puzzling why Fatlip disappeared for so long, releasing the promising What's Up Fatlip? single way back in 2000 and nothing -- nothing! -- until this album's 2005 release (the single does appear here, oddly enough). In any event, there's not much gain in solving that "What was up, Fatlip?" puzzle. The man seems to revel in riddle. Better to just enjoy the music at hand, for it plays like a mid-'90s alt-rap time capsule. Yes, a resurrection of the classic Delicious Vinyl aesthetic in the age of crunk -- that alone is reason enough to celebrate the return of Fatlip. Granted, The Loneliest Punk isn't the long-lost masterpiece some longtime fans may have hoped for, given its over-long running time and abundance of skits, some of which are funny, others not so funny. But it's still a relatively impressive album and should prove mighty enjoyable for anyone who believes the singular Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde was one of the best hip-hop albums of the '90s (or of any decade, for that matter). ~ Jason Birchmeier