Action Bronson - Mr. Wonderful (Explicit) (LP)

Benefiting from mixtapes like rock bands used to benefit from pre-debut tours, chef turned rapper Action Bronson is wonderfully loose and comfortable on his first full-length, the audaciously and aptly titled Mr. Wonderful. Album opener "Brand New Car" forgoes the usual bombastic intro for a cheeky, goofy track, one that stops and starts at will while offering "That girl on top of me: pornography/She only want me for my guapery" in a voice that's gruff and powerful, like Ghostface meets Chris Farley. Billy Joel is skillfully sampled by producer Mark Ronson on the cut, while highlight "Terry" later uses the Piano Man's name as a sign of success (from then's "First time whacked off, was a Penthouse" to now's "Billy Joel at the Garden/Should I get a skybox?"), but all the insider chef talk, all the cutting-edge alt-hip-hop references, and all the left-field production ideas from the underground days remain, as Mr. Wonderful is a subtle way to join the major leagues/major labels. Hooks and