Note: Over the Counter Culture is a free, digital-download-only release available at timfite.com (as of 2/20/07). Tim doesn’t consider this overtly hip hop statement to be the proper follow-up to his genre-blending, folky debut Gone Ain’t Gone (2005).

Also Note: Tim Fite is formerly one half of the comedy rap duo Little T & One Track Mike, probably best known for their 2001 single “Shaniqua.”

Lyrics: Criticism of the co-opting and commercialization of hip hop culture to market and sell products for big business. There are a couple anti-war, anti-Bush Administration shots, too.

Vocals: The laid-back, Southern drawl flow of Bubba Sparxxx meets the piercing, comical venom of Eminem meets the nonchalant, junk rhymin’ style of Beck.

Production: Understated beats peppered with a cut-and-paste collage of bendy guitars, funk rock riffs, futuristic synths, cinematic strings samples and more.

Heavy Rotation tracks: “I’ve Been Shot”; “Over the Counter Culture”; “In Your Hair”

Medium Rotation tracks: “Place Your Bets”; “Camouflage”

Recommended: Tim Fite has taken the early Beck concept of slacker attitude and limitless musical mishmashing and revitalized it for 2007. Over the Counter Culture is much angrier and issue conscious, though. Tim’s got a lot on his mind and he delivers those thoughts in many creative and exciting ways.

Grade: A- (Top 20 Albums of 2007 Candidate)