I am tired, so very tired, and so full of self-hatred. But my ego is too swollen to dwell on negative thoughts about myself. Instead, I like to direct these feelings toward those who are similar to me. Therefore, I've become weary and resentful of other white guys who get wrapped up in black music. I know, it's typical, pathetic white guilt. And the last thing I want to do is play the race card-- especially in music, the colorblind, level playing field of sound. But if I hear one more pale kid who stole my wardrobe except with nicer shoes declare 36 Chambers a "classic," or worse, a "masterpiece," I'm going to cry.

Derjason make a point to cover their asses, specifying that their music "owes more to A Tribe Called Quest and the Beatles than it does to Beck." Yet, I can't help but find that statement even more suspect than if they'd just left the obvious comparison to be made on its own. After all, Tribe and the Fab Four raised the bar of fresh beats and songcraft, respectively, to unreachable heights. At least with Beck as the given standard, these guys could have a one-in-a-million shot at competing with the master at his own games of half-hearted irony and downplayed ineptitude.

Derjason is the combined effort of brothers Jason and Derek Richey. The story is, Jason laid a heavy foundation of sampler-made beats, then shipped it off to Derek who built on and completed the record. But aside from the occasional fluttering woodwind sample or appealingly simple bassline, Jason's groundwork for It Don't Show is largely unimpressive. And what Derek piled on top doesn't show a large margin of talent between the two brothers. It's nice for them, I'm sure, that they can work together without much reason to feel competitive. Being brothers isn't easy.

Derek Richey's insubstantial contributions are at least an appropriate accompaniment to his brother's skeletal backing tracks, even if the end result isn't appropriate for listening to. On the opening title track, Derek slathers a headache-baiting amount of reverb on his vocals, nasally repeating key phrases in vain attempts at a hook. Even sadder, this process plays itself out over the course of several other songs. On a few tracks, such as the pleasing Mid-Eastern groove of "Little Stories," Derek does manage to bang out some skilled guitarwork. Sadly, a great album is not made on theatrics alone.

The second side of It Don't Show features vocals by rappers Level and Grumpster. But you have an imagination, right? I don't think I need to go in-depth on that one. I know, i sort of just came out and said it anyway, but it's tacit. Let it not be taken for granted. We are on a higher level of communication. Too bad these guys aren't.

-Al Shipley