Argyle Pimps
Invisible Jet Skis
Independent (2006)

By: Nick Nocketback

Fresno’s Own Geriatric Jurassic Duo Wax Metacognitive Self-Deprecatory Poetics with Flava!

Few bands these days tackle the important issues and take on the atrocities of the world. The Argyle Pimps defy prescribed standards and rage against the elderly, whites, Japanese, and Phoebe Cates, a truly revolutionary ensemble. My first encounter with this flamboyant Argylian team was last summer at an Immortal Technique show at The Belmont. Obviously the two were of differing backgrounds and I initially had reservations. However, after steady rockin’ this disc in the whip for over two weeks now, I am a believer.
The Argyle Pimps consist of Boney Beezly and Jamie Lee Nelson of Fresno. Content for the album is sundry and random with themes ranging from undependable vehicles to old school 80’s metal music and Howard Hughes. The genre could be considered playful hip hop in the vein of Ugly Duckling and Def Poets Society. What stands out is the production. The album is put together well, with track samples including Modest Mouse—track 2, and a remarkable recreation of “Mr. Wendal” by Arrested Development—track 10 (my personal fav). I suppose one could say these cats are the hip hop equivalent to Weezer.
Invisible Jet Ski’s is an ambitious effort with premium beats (imagine rocking out at a speak easy in the 20’s), self-deprecatory lyrics about getting dissed by females, and an actual Metallica snippet on the album itself, via a yellow, Sport Walkman tape player. This disc is ripe with nostalgia for those of us who’ve grown up with the television as our au pair. Their flow is articulate, hilarious, and both cats enunciate their vowels, something missing in hip hop music today. Moreover, each track is distinctive and in many cases, base heavy—for those of you still into mini-trucks.
Officially, the album drops in December, but between us, you can get it at argylepimps.com or at any of their shows throughout the central valley. Beezly takes Euros only so hit the Washington Mutual before hand. Also, look for the Pimps in an upcoming episode of Gilmore Girls.