Dave, thanks for all the kind thoughts. I regret using the "rape" analogy. That word only means one thing and I'm stupid for using it this way. Steve

A Tribe Called Quest?

That first album really opened my head up. Glad they're back at it.

Fisk is a living god and undisputed genius. Shawn has amazing gifts, one of the smoothest most soulful voices of his time. I dig hyperbole and celebrate Poneman's capabilities, but seriously: Massive Attack April 8, 1991.

"The Full Sentence" owned my Summer of 1999. I was right out of high school and it sounded like nothing I'd ever heard before. It's still my favorite thing Sub Pop has ever done. Those mellotron vibraphones! Those dirty B3s! The gospel choruses!

Rich, you make a good point. How about first American triphop artist?

I think it's a stretch. But that's why I'll never be a music critic.

How about, "fucking amazing"?