Security Screenings [audio CD] Prefuse 73

Just as the ringing in your ears from the dense, concussive cocktail that was 2005's Surrounded By Silence has softened, Prefuse 73 follows up that album with a masterclass of sliced-up breakdance noise rock. Where as Silence saw Prefuse productions paired with all-star guests like Ghostface, Aesop Rock, GZA, Blonde Redhead and El-P, Security Screenings is a collection of the type of instrumental material that slayed fans in the first place. Warp Records. 2006. When prolific beat junkie Scott Herren is at the top of his game, he's a musical mad scientist splicing and dicing multiple genres together to craft tunes that are a heady mixture of head-nodding beats and hedonistic pleasure-textures. And right off the bat, on track two, "With Dirt and Two Texts," it's clear that Screenings is a return to form for Herren. Imagine Boards of Canada in love with hip-hop; that's what you have here. There is very little guest vocalizing this time; it's more of a "background" album, in the best sense. The whole thing buzzes with the blurry experimentation of Herren's Savath and Savalas side project, but it always remains grounded in a solid click-hop groove. --Mike McGonigal