When hip hop and rock come together, it can often be a polarizing experience. It can be an excellent marriage that’s exemplified through the political rap rock legends Rage Against The Machine and legendary collaborations that include the ‘80s version of “Walk This Way” courtesy of Aerosmith and Run-DMC and “Bring The Noise” that came out during the same decade with Public Enemy teaming up with Anthrax. It can also be horrible with the likes of Limp Bizkit (yeah, I said it), Crazy Town and Reveille being primary examples. Providence hip hop artist Jesse The Tree and Cranston native Damian Puerini, who is the co-guitarist and co-vocalist for the alt-rock act Tall Teenagers as well as the guitarist for hardcore punks The Hammer Party, did something more akin to the former rather than the latter a couple months ago. Their collaborative effort is called Blobfish and they released a stellar self-titled album under the project’s name back on December 12.

From listening to the record, I don’t know if Puerini just used samples for the musical arrangements or if he used any instrumentation, but I really dig how the guitar chords counteract with the beats. This dynamic creates a unique energy that revs up via Jesse’s lyrical delivery while walking the fine line between being laid back and rapid. There’s some NBA references being made as well along with an overall vibe that encompasses elements of funk, jazz, psychedelic and orchestral styles. I like how each song is different while a distinct cohesiveness is being established. There’s a flow that takes the senses on a journey without getting too off-course.

It sounds like a sitar is being used in “Slim Reaper” and when the beat gets put over it there’s sheer brilliance being exhibited. I’ve seen Jesse perform “Tony With The Ducks” live as a solo artist and I love that this track is included in the album. The chorus is absolutely emphatic and if it doesn’t stick in your head for a while then you don’t have a pulse. “Pyramidskeem” leans toward the psychedelic aesthetic as another steady beat sets the tone. Other highlights off the album include “Bootleg Goochy Shoes”, “Carry The Globe” and “Pigpen”.

I don’t know the next time Puerini and Jesse The Tree are going to be performing as Blobfish, but I do know that they’re each going to be performing with their respective primary creative outlets in the near future. To keep track of what Jesse The Tree has going on, follow his page on X at @JesseTheTree401. To be in the loop on Puerini’s two bands he’s in, follow Tall Teenagers on Facebook at facebook.com/TallTeenagers and follow The Hammer Party on the same platform at facebook.com/TheHammerParty. Before you do that, look up Blobfish’s self-titled debut album on Spotify and dive right in. If you like your hip hop with a little bit of weirdness, then this record is ideal listening material.