CMJ Monthly, May 2003
by Richard M Juzwiak
Pete Miser
Radio Free Brooklyn
Ho-Made Media
Early on Radio Free Brooklyn, former Five Fingers of Funk head Pete Miser announces his goal: "I'm trying to change the world before I change my mind." If in the process, he's one of indie hip-hop's most quotable, it's a fortunate byproduct - Miser's aim is affecting and uplifting the (relative) masses via an identity exploration. A bedwetting back-packer alienated by values glamorized in the mainstream, Miser creates a litany of his hip-hop haves (love, style and pride)and have-nots (floor length minks, golf carts on rims and Versace gear) on "Got That." The shiny-happy vibe is tempered by space filled , tentative beats too busy being smooth to cloy. He builds himself a musical gymnasium for his verbal somersaults and low-key floor exercises delivered by a voice that could belong to the husky athlete brother of Black Sheep's Dres. Indeed, black sheep-ism in Miser's blood-an oft-examined aspect of himself in his lyrics is his multiracial make-up."Anglicized my name to 'Miser' some say a self-conscious attempt to exempt myself from bigotry sent my way/ But I say they read too much into it," explains the half-Chinese Miser (whose real last name is Ho), in "Ho-Made." Brooklyn's sole weakness is length-no matter how consistently witty and inspired, an hour is just too much time to listen to someone talk about himself.
