Straight Outta Saint Paul

I was remiss earlier this month -- when posting about the music that was currently occupying my life -- in not mentioning Twin Cities hip-hop band (yes, band) Heiruspecs. The band -- yes, band! -- consists of two rappers (one usually serving as more of a beat box), a keyboard player, a bassist and a drummer. Their second album 'A Tiger Dancing' was released late last year and can be sampled here.

It's one of those albums that grows on you and slowly tries to push all other music out of your head. While oddities like beat box/Michael Winslow-impersonator Muad'dib simulating record-scratching and trumpet-playing with his voice capture a listener's attention, it's the solid, if often lighthearted lyrics and inventive instrumentation that have kept the CD in heavy rotation at KBOSS. It's catchy yet quirky stuff. But what would you expect from a band -- yes, band -- that counts Run-DMC, The Roots, Jay-Z and Spoon among its influences?