2nu - Ponderous (1991)

2nu were certainly a pop oddity. The duo, consisting of Jock Blaney and Michael Nealy from Seattle, would have been one of the last artists that you would expect to have a hit, but they managed to the first time out of the gate with their track "This Is Ponderous", with the help of major label Atlantic. The track, which was basically a spoken-word piece of story-telling over a dancey beat and sound effects, reached number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album soon followed, and though the songs varied in musical style, one thing kept them all together, and that was the narration of Jock Blaney. His voice is reminiscent of Brian the dog from Family Guy, and the stories range from odd and funny to surprisingly touching. There are elements of jazz, reggae, soul, funk, rock, and just about every other genre throughout the album, and it was certainly unique, especially in the 1990s. But though a secoond single, "Spaz Attack", saw a promo release, the album failed to generate enough buzz to ensure more hits. And really, the fact that they had a hit at all was a surprise, given how quirky their music was. But a dedicated fan base (including my friend Max) encouraged the boys to regroup in 1997 and in 1999 they independently released the EP Command Z and full length album 2NU2.com, changing their name to 2nu² to reflect their next phase. However, nothing more would be heard from them until 2007, when they independently released The Best Of 2nu (though they left off two tracks from this album that they didn't like, "Why." and "I Like That", and another, "Spill the Wine", because they didn't have the rights, as it incorporates an old Eric Burdon & War song).

Download Ponderous

1		This Is Ponderous
2		I Like That
3		Why.
4		Count 'Em Up Queek
5		Frank's Chair
6		Spaz Attack
7		Two Outta Three
8		Spill The Wine
9		Her Name
10		DDS Blues