So...How's Your Girl?

by Handsome Boy Modeling School

Overview

The concept behind Handsome Boy Modeling School -- if you separate it from its origins in a Chris Elliott sitcom -- can be taken as a subtle parody of hip-hop's player affectations: two geeky producers masquerading as jet-set male models. Given that framework, and the fact that those two producers are eccentric geniuses Prince Paul and Dan the Automator, you might expect So...How's Your Girl? to be a goof from top to bottom. And that isn't the case. The album ends up as more of a showcase for their eclecticism, tailoring productions to their collaborators and creating a colorful universe where classicist rap, turntablism, trip-hop, and electronica all get along comfortably. Parts of the album are surprisingly atmospheric, and rely more on the texture of the sound than the star power of the guest -- which makes sense for a producer's album. The finished product does lack some of the sheer craziness one might have anticipated, but the meatiness of the best music also keeps the Elliott-centered comedic interludes from turning the project into a mere novelty. The DJ cuts -- the duo's own "Rock n' Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This)" and the DJ Shadow/DJ Quest team-up "Holy Calamity (Bear Witness II)" -- are some of the most exciting tracks on the album, and of the rappers, Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Brand Nubian's Grand Puba and Sadat X turn in the most memorable performances. The electronic collaborations range the farthest afield, and provide some of the most intriguing highlights -- especially the bluesy trip-hop of "The Truth," featuring Moloko crooner Roisin Murphy. Meanwhile, Alec Empire and El-P -- each arguably the most abrasive experimentalist in his field -- live up to their billing on the massively distorted "Megaton B-Boy 2000." It's true that a few of the quirkier experiments never quite get off the ground, but by and large, So...How's Your Girl? is packed with imaginative, intriguing music. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	10/19/1999
Label:	TOMMY BOY MUSIC
UPC:	0016998125823

Tracks

1. Rock n' Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This)
2. Magnetizing
3. Metaphysical
4. Look at This Face (Oh My God They're Gorgeous)
5. Waterworld
6. Once Again (Here to Kick One for You)
7. The Truth
8. Holy Calamity (Bear Witness II)
9. Calling the Biz
10. The Projects (PJays)
11. Sunshine
12. Modeling Sucks
13. Torch Song Trilogy
14. The Runway Song
15. Megaton B-Boy 2000
16. Father Speaks

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Handsome Boy Modeling School   Primary Artist
Bob Elliot   Primary Artist
Josh Hayden   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Chris Elliot   Primary Artist
Prince Paul   Primary Artist
Father Guido Sarducci   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Biz Markie   Primary Artist
Josh Haden   Guest Artist
Kid Koala   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Turntables
Money Mark   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Grand Puba   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Sadat X   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Paula Frazer   Featured Artist,Vocals
Del   Guest Artist
Trugoy the Dove   Guest Artist
DJ Shadow   Guest Artist,Featured Artist
El-P   Featured Artist
DJ Quest   Featured Artist
Mike D   Featured Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Del the Funky Homosapien   Featured Artist,Vocals
J-Live   Featured Artist,Vocals
Roisin   Featured Artist
Miho Hatori   Featured Artist,Vocals
Encore   Featured Artist
Dave   Featured Artist
Sensational   Featured Artist
Sean Lennon   Featured Artist,Vocals
Alec Empire   Featured Artist
Dan the Automator   Violin,Vocals,Keyboards
Paul Huston   Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Gordon Shumway   Koto
Nathaniel Merriweather   Turntables
Chest Rockwell   Horn,Turntables
Brandon Arnovick   Guitar
Roisin Murphy   Vocals

Technical Credits

Miho Hatori   Performer
Mike D   Performer
Dan Nakamura   Composer
DJ Quest   Performer
Grand Puba   Performer
Father Guido Sarducci   Performer
El-P   Performer
Howie Weinberg   Mastering
Sean Lennon   Performer
Handsome Boy Modeling School   Producer
Money Mark   Performer
Alec Empire   Performer
DJ Shadow   Producer,Performer,Programming
Dan the Automator   Mixing,Composer,Producer
Willie Dixon   Composer
Kevin Wolahan   Design,Art Direction
Paul Huston   Composer
Toni Isabella   Executive Producer
Josh Davis   Composer
Bob Elliot   Performer
Paula Frazer   Performer
Biz Markie   Performer
Del the Funky Homosapien   Composer,Performer
Sadat X   Performer
Roisin Murphy   Composer
Mark Nishita   Composer
Prince Paul   Mixing,Producer,Performer