K-OTIX
Universal (Bronx Science)
Reviewed by Jason Thornberry

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I had heard a quite few compliments about this Houston trio. They wore out the stage at the South By Southwest music conference, and subsequently got asked back for six consecutive years. I was excited when I put their debut album into my stereo, but my smile quickly made a rapid descent into a confused "Huh?" then a sarcastic smirk of contempt, and then completely sank into a look of utter disgust. I guess the chaps at the Bronx Science label imagine that they're onto something new when they send out an advance CD.

This is what I heard long before the first emcee even got near the mic: "This is a Bronx Science promotional presentation". That first track was an "Intro" with Darth Vader's uncle advising me that the new K-Otix album was gonna drop soon.

Track two, "Legendary" got bum rushed as well, with our friend greedily hogging the mouthpiece to remind me, in a faux-dramatic bed of reverb, that this was a "promotional copy", and he had to make sure that I can't actually just enjoy this CD. Ever. "This is a preview of the K-Otix LP, Universal". About twenty seconds later: "You are listening to a promotional copy of The K-Otix Universal album on Bronx Science Records." And then: "Make sure you go pick up the album when it drops in store this summer." And then "Bronx Science Two-Thousand and One, baby." Again, in case I actually forgot: "Promotional Copy!"

Sorry, K-Otix, but exactly 3:03 of Big Brother was all I could tolerate. This CD goes directly in the trash. Shiz-ing! I'd give it to the little kid who lives next door, but I think even she has more discerning taste, and would probably bounce this off of my head. Blame the record company.

© 2001 - Jason Thornberry