Tons of Friends: Tons of DGAF

the "NOT Tons of Fidget edition"





BOOM CLAP BOOM CLAP BOOM CLAP BOOM CLAP

Yes, Crookers could have released the epic fidget house album that we were all waiting and hoping for. Or they could have done something very DGAF and done something that nobody was expecting. So let's all chill the fuck out and appreciate the fact that they did the latter instead of deciding to pigeonhole themselves in one type of genre.

Don't get me wrong, Crookers' unmistakable bouncy sound is what initially drew me in as a fan and kept me there, beat after relentless beat. It seemed like they'd perfected their signature style. Crookers made some of the most addictive, exhilarating, crowd-pleasing remixes this side of fidget... So where do you go from there? Well, you can either keep doing what you're doing, or step out and prove you that you're not just a one-trick pony.

Of course we all, myself included, wanted Crookers to come out with an album that took their original sound a step further. Even though I would have danced my ass off to an album like that, I actually respect Crookers more for releasing an album with a more mature and sophisticated sound, and something less predictable. *gasp* I think it was a badass and interesting move to put the accapella version of "Day N Nite" instead of reminding fans yet again of their obvious straight up smash hit remix. It was like putting a middle finger up to everyone who was wishing for the rest of Tons of Friends to sound like the original "Day N Nite" remix.

We wanted soul claps, they gave us subtlety. Before writing it off, try listening beyond the surface. It's not going to instantly beat you into submission like their older songs... this time you actually do have to pay more attention to the details because it's no longer about face-melting instant gratification. But because they've moved away from their distinct sound, this album does at first sound subdued and even underwhelming by comparison... but once I gave this album a chance, I was hooked. It took a few listens to realize how much the production is integrated with the vocals. Let's face it, the old Crookers sound was pretty overpowering, so this time they've stepped back to allow the guest vocalists to shine, which was a pretty generous and respectful move.

The new Crookers sound is about atmospherics and textures; it actually forces you to listen to the quality of songs and dynamics rather than flashy samples, beats, or basslines. Of course they're still there, but in a different perspective. I think Crookers went in the right direction by proving they could be insanely versatile producers. Tons of Friends boasts a diverse range of pop, R&B, hip hop, electro, reggae and even the indie/country/folk of "Lone White Wolf"... Crookers can tread them all, without losing consistency, or relying too much on past formulas. The future is now, and the future is DGAF. Tons of DGAF.

My only real complaint? "Festa Festa" is not on this album.

check them out at crookers.net

DGAF Profile #7: Phra of Crookers

The "Crookers! Phra and Bot!" Edition

UPDATED 1-20-10

This profile should have been done last year. We talked about giving Phra a DGAF profile, but somehow it didn't happen. So we've awarded him the first DGAF profile of 2010. There's not a whole lot we know about Phra, who is one half of DGAF DJ duo favorites Crookers. But then, there's not much to say about him either, because we think these videos more than speak for themselves:






Save time and go to 1:10, 5:05, and 6:30...

He can cook like a chef, rocks a pink polo shirt like nobody's business, and started off as a hip hop DJ at 11 years old! It doesn't appear that he'll blow you off if you approach him, no matter how drunk and obnoxious you are (as witnessed at the Custom Hotel after Hard Summer in August 2009). If you've seen Crookers DJ, you'll have even more evidence that he's DGAF. But we're pretty sure you haven't heard him rap. Yes, rap. He can rock the decks AND mic with equal DGAF.

His Twitter name is also Phrappuccino. PHRAPPUCCINO. As you can see we're not making this up. You sure as hell won't find that at your local Starbucks. I think he should do a rap album, and maybe it could be called "phRAPpuccino".

But what kind of name is "Phra"? We assumed it was short for "Francesco", his real name, and spelled with a "ph" for fun (phun?). But on further investigation, we accidentally found out on Wikipedia that "Phra" was a Thai title of nobility and royalty! It was probably intentional, but even if it wasn't, that doesn't make him any less DGAF.

No wonder the upcoming Crookers album is going to be called "Tons of Friends". Who wouldn't want to be friends with someone that DGAF?