Prefuse 73

Play the Reads the Books EP for your indie-ignorant friend and then mention that "hip-hop" is often a descriptor applied to the work of Prefuse 73 and they'll wonder what the heck you're talking about. The little sister of Surrounded by Silence, Reads the Books shares one track with the full-length, but little of its temperament or attitude. This is soft and personal Prefuse 73 manipulating source material provided by quirky darlings the Books. The sound is closer to the Books than Prefuse, but there's that Prefuse whimsy and those cuts and stutters that make so much sense. The softness of it all makes this an easier sell for Books fans than Prefuse heads, but seeing the more personal side of the flashy producer flushes out his character nicely. Claudia Maria Deheza's sweet vocals on "Pagina Ocho" are a tantalizing preview of the promised, Prefuse-helmed album from the singer and enough of a reason for longtime fans to check out this short, sweet, somewhat underwhelming diversion. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide