Tom, after releasing his debut album, decided to leave Rephlex Records to be with Warp Records. And along with the label shift, he released two new EPs, and later Hard Normal Daddy in 1997, what many consider to be some of his best work...
Hard Normal Daddy is technically how I got introduced to Squarepusher. I first heard of this album (and some other albums by Tom) through the Wonky Angle's Top 100 Electronic Albums of All Time list, where this album here was placed at #43. Which, given this is the first time I'm mentioning him, I'm going to preface, I feel like I'm going to be mentioning the Wonky Angle a lot though these reviews, so expect that when it comes. Anyways, I saw that list, and the praise that he gave the album, and decided to check out the 'Squarepusher' for myself. So, instead of listening to this album, I chose to listen to the Big Loada EP instead. I would later listen to some of the tracks on their own, but it's only recently that I got a copy of the album, that I have listened to it in full. And it's reeeeally good.
The first two tracks are very similar to the ones heard on Feed Me Weird Things, and are a good example of not only what the the rest of the album will sound like (like the ones on Feed Me Weird Things), they are also a good showcase of the polishing Tom has done on the formula that he originally had on Feed Me Weird Things: Coopers World (spelled with no apostrophe) is stylistically similar to Squarepusher Theme; being a chipper fusion track with slight Drum & Bass elements, but Coopers World is a little funkier and is built around a slightly more cohesive structure. I think I prefer this to Squarepusher Theme, in no other way than that Coopers World just… consistently makes me happy when I listen to it [=
This album does suffer from some slight pacing issues, but they aren't nearly as present or confusing on this album as they were on Feed Me Weird Things. Maybe the last three tracks make the album drag on a little, but with some recent listens, they've grown on me to a point I think they do just fine with keeping my attention. And plus, Rebus is a way better ending than Future Gibbon. This album also doesn't really have any bad tracks (Feed Me Weird Things also didn't either, even if Kodack went on a bit too long): my least favorite track is Anirog D9, which is just a one minute interlude that's not even that bad.
This album also has some of his best Jazzier tracks. The somber keys and catchy, weasel-like clarinet emulated synth-lines on Papalon, the funky interstellar sonic experience that is E8 Boogie, the previously mentioned Coopers World, the suspensefully stringed two-parter Rat/P's And Q's and, to a slightly lesser extent, Male Pill Part 13 (no offense, it just doesn't add a whole lot) are all great. Especially the first three I mentioned, being some of my favorite tracks on the album. Not to say there's just Jazz on this album - there's still stuff for the ravers! The mildly spooky Vic Acid, the more Drill & Bassy Chin Hippy, and obviously Rustic Raver (even if that one still has some elements of Jazz in there).
But, one of my absolute favorite tracks is Fat Controller. None of the things in this track should work together, but they do. It has Jazzy drumming, a highly compressed bassline that sounds like the noises a giant robot would make as it terrorizes a city and a bass solo that is as weird as much as it kicks ass (complete with record scratching!{?}). It's odd, but it's grooves are nevertheless infectious and rock solid. And, say what you will about it, I think we can all agree it's the best song to have ever've been named after a Thomas the Tank Engine character (beyond the main theme, of course) (prove me wrong, I'm not experienced in this field).
It would be a shame however, if I didn't mention the second track on the album, Beep Street. With it's cold synths and breaks of varying intensity, it comes together to slowly make a lush emotional splendor that, while it's structurally similar to Tundra, I can't deny, even though I (currently) prefer Tundra's darker atmosphere, a part of me says that it's just better. And I think that that's a good way of describing Hard Normal Daddy: just... better. I know I'm repeating myself a little here, but I went into this album thinking that it was gonna be super overrated, and that Feed Me Weird Things would be better. And maybe it lacks a little of the variety and charm of Feed Me Weird Things and it takes a few listens to fully get (I guess Feed Me Weird Things does too), but yeah, it's better and is some of his best. I really like it, and I think you should listen to it if you wanna get into Squarepusher and if anything I said intrigues you.
Now, for anyone who wants to buy this album: well, there appear to be no bad versions (Japanese versions come with bonus tracks from the Vic Acid EP), but the prices for both CD, vinyl and cassette versions are pretty expensive. There might be a 30th anniversary version coming in 2027, but as of now you'll have to spend up-to $35 or higher for CDs and $100 plus for vinyl and cassette.
| The one you should listen to: | Should I listen to it?: | Cans or Woofers?: |
| E8 Boogie | If it peaks your intrest, yes! | Cans |
(*I DO NOT earn a cut of the revenue if you purchase this album. Remember to buy it on Bandcamp Friday to fully support the artist and/or band [=)
(Review 2 writen on 1/26/26)