Hesher - "Self Titled Debut"
Release February 2001 on Warner Brothers Records

Cibo Matto worked with Hesher on a track for his first CD, "Self Titled Debut". I was interested in listening for Miho's vocals on "Crazy American Cheese Sandwiches", so I got a copy of the CD. When I first started into the CD I was met by a heavy duty rap barrage in the song "Presto-Chango". A rather satiric take on the Who's 60's Anthem redone as a hip hop track titled "Whose Generation" followed.

Finally to track 3 of the CD... the one I was waiting for... the one with Cibo Matto... "Crazy American Cheese Sandwiches". ... right, more food... anyway - The song takes off with a rap vocal laid on top of a heavy metal guitar. The chorus comes in like some kind of school choir. Except these kids seem to have forgotten their table manners. The hard driving beat gives way to a small psychedelic palace. A stringed instrument serenades the princess Miho as she coons to us the words we long to hear, "Crazy American Cheese Sandwiches". The magical spell is broken by Hesher rapping over that metal guitar chord progression, and then they drive it all back home.

Having finished with listening to the Cibo Matto portion of the CD, I was going to abort my little journey into Hesher's rap world. Before I got to the CD player, the next song had started. There was a short piano introduction followed by a desolate male vocal over a quiet beat box. Then the production started crawling out of the corners. On track four, "Out my Window", Hesher begins a demonstration of his songwriting and singing talent. So it was, that the CD stayed.

The CD stayed. Because not only was the music good, but here was a dude that claims, "He's a talented but gloriously lazy cat whose lungs look like the bong hidden in the back of your Dad's closet that hasn't been cleaned since 1974. " And claims that his CD, "serves as the star map to his psychedelic trip." I mean, I'm into star maps too... so the CD stayed in.

The Hesher debut is a CD titled "Self Titled Debut". This saves the critics the trouble of explaining to us that this is Heshers self titled debut CD. After the hard driving rap and metal start, the CD presses onward through an eclectic batch of songs. The production team of the Stimulated Dummies, Dante Ross and John Gamble, is very effective in introducing various key musical themes to allow the songs to move from one musical idea to areas of ever changing demographics. There are quiet moments and berserk ramblings. The Stimulated Dummies are two of Hesher's friends and they are known for being the Grammy award-winning producers behind Everlast and Santana. This CD revolves around thoughtful songwriting and creative studio production.

Cibo Matto fans will notice that there is similarity to Cibo Matto in the musical diversity and attention to production details of Hesher's CD, "Self Titled Debut". All of the songs are unique with a variety of themes and styles. Hesher has worked with the producers to create melodies and soundscapes that remind us of many of the great musicians over the past 40 years. It even moves into some moments of complete classical overdub. The music is supported by a back up cast of visitors in the studio that included Cibo Matto , Everlast, Chino Moreno of the Deftones, Biz Markie, Warren Haynes, and the Bad Brains.

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