Dorp – Omnipresent Bob EP

Dorp were one of the forerunners of the explosion of formidable talent that happened in South Africa during the 90’s. They left their home turf some time ago, and acquired new members, but that talent has certainly continued to blossom.

Omnipresent Bob is a 5 track EP with a bonus video track, and the only complaint I have about it is that it’s too short! This is definitely not background music, as Pieter Bez’s voice crawls inside your head and makes its home in your synapses, while the rest of the band grabs you by the throat and drags you on a headlong rush through the songs.
The fast-paced London Out There is probably the best known song off this EP, but my favourite is Wait, a homage to anyone who has ever lived with frustration. This band’s use of evocative imagery in all their songs means that during this track, which oozes impatience, I felt my skin get itchy and my head jangled as the song has you teetering on the edge during the verses before plunging you into nervy action for the chorus. Like I said, not a comfortable band but an exquisite one.

Dorp’s music reflects a disparaging take on life and their sardonic wit is a huge part of what makes this band great. As all good bands do, they have matured over the years, foregoing the nonsensical magic of the Danger, Gevaar, Ingozi days to assume a darker role, but still with the same clever lyrical wordplay. In its initial format, the band had a strong ska influence, which has now been refined into a more sophisticated blend of hallucinogenic vocals and attention-seeking electro-rock. The best way I can think of to describe it is that their older albums like Danger, Gevaar, Ingozi made you feel like you were lazing in a smoky blues lounge or getting hotboxed at a house party. Omnipresent Bob, on the other hand is more like the time someone spiked the punch with acid, heart racing, images flowering in the mind’s eye. This EP has all the grit of the London Underground coupled with the sultriness of a South African summer night. Get your hands on it as soon as you can.

Check out more info on this great band at www.dorp.co.uk or www.myspace.com/dorp