The chemistry between Doom and Danger Mouse is clear, and Danger lays a solid base for Doom’s most impressive outing since 2004’s collaboration with Madlib, Madvillainy. A clear testament to the benefits of hours of crate digging, Danger supplements the unique array of melodies with his own brand of thick, cleverly chopped and manipulated beats and strings. Danger utilizes a combination of ’70s funk and music that could have only be found in advertisements, television shows, and movies more than 20 years ago. Danger Mouse’s production is consistent, fresh, and rarely falters. That’s not to say that all albums have to be serious though, and musically The Mouse and the Mask isn’t short on talent and style. However, while the skits are funny and entertaining through and through, its difficult not to feel the air of seriousness wafting away as the album progresses. Doom has been one of the most effective users of comical interludes in the past and doesn’t disappoint this time around. It specifically tandems with Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, bringing in characters from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Brak Show, and Space Ghost Coast to Coast for cameos and skits throughout the record. Keeping true to MF Doom’s penchant for themed albums (see MM.Food? or Vaudeville Villain), The Mouse and the Mask is centered around cartoons. The prolific duo, who dug deep into the barrel of creativity to come up with their alias for the project, Danger Doom, came forth with an effort that won’t drop jaws but will undoubtedly keep the heads of Halo 2 tournament participants bobbing with satisfaction for months to come. The Mouse and the Mask, the long-awaited joint-venture of Danger Mouse and MF Doom, is neither of these. The end result, however, more typically ends up being a stale sounding side-project that could never have lived up to the hype in the first place.
There’s a natural expectation when two great artists are combined that they will produce something mind-blowingly transcendent that will change the way people look at music and life forever. More often than not, highly-anticipated collaborations between musicians who are on the top of their game are perennially some of the most disappointing albums of the year.
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