Side projects benefit from the low expectations
that generally treat them as little more than one-off goofs. But Droppin'
Science Fiction, the
debut by The Mighty Underdogs (featuring Blackalicious' Gift Of Gab, Lateef The
Truth Speaker, and producer Headnodic of Crown City Rockers) doesn't need to be
graded on a curve: It's the rare supergroup that's actually super. Though it
dabbles in the blues (with the tellingly titled "So Sad" and "Escape"), the
overriding emotion is fun verging on joy. Gab and Lateef let their imaginations
run wild on trippy story-songs in which they pretend they're terrifying
beasties ("Monster"), head back to the Old West alongside noted varmint MF Doom
for an atmospheric spaghetti Western ("Gun Fight"), and hook up with Quannum
mate Lyrics Born to discuss wacky travel shenanigans on the infectiously goofy "Ill
Vacation." Headnodic crafts lush, melodic backdrops for Gab and Lateef's
flights of lyrical fancy, from the sinister space-alien synthesizers of "Science
Fiction" to the gorgeous '70s-style soul of "Folks." The album concludes on a
triumphant note with the ecstatic, celebratory "Victorious," a richly earned
victory lap from a top-notch trio that's simultaneously new and reassuringly
familiar.