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A retiree from the local music scene of Kyova, former punchline rapper-turned-pop-punker Two Dollar $am sang his swan song in August of 2023 in the form of a sweltering six-track, 16-minute EP: Localism. Michael Taylor Pritt, a man of many creative hats, fires on all cylinders in this release. Full of references to popular culture and the nature of the American work-life balance, this EP is an energetic earworm from an artistic enigma.
We open the EP with a rolling guitar riff which appears to be inspired by the legendary California-based funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It is clear from the start that Two Dollar $am has decided to shake up the formula and create his own wave, boasting beach rock vibes and sun-soaked melodies, and celebrating the carefree spirit of summertime fun while recognizing the pitfalls of vacation culture.
The title-track and opener, “Localism”, features lyrics such as “I think it’s about time. About time, take a bite out of life,” referring to his yearning for more, wishing to live a life full of fantastic experiences, while also understanding that he is indeed failing to live in the moment. We get some Y2K nostalgia in the second verse in the form of physical media reference: “a Bob Marley CD by the wayside,” he sings, before making the existential statement to “Live while you can cause age has no prime,” reminding us to live despite our limiting beliefs.“Salt life says a world of dedication says the bumper sticker bought on vacation,” pokes fun at local vacation culture; we spend all year working to go on vacation to a handful of the same East Coast beaches, not realizing that we should be living in the moment for the other 51 weeks of the year.
We move onto “Rollercoaster,” a funky and beachy beat. Two Dollar $am opens with the lines “Florida man is on the run, the media is having so much fun,” poking fun at Florida culture and Internet memes, while criticizing sensationalist headlines that solely exist to drive clicks and generate ad revenue. He makes references to spreading fear with conspiracies, before claiming that “Life’s a rollercoaster ride, we have our hands in the sky. You know we’re having fun, but I know we’re scared to die.” It is evident that this introspective line about the ups and downs of the average human life reveals one of Two Dollar $am’s biggest fears, which can be said of many people, but there’s something special about the way it’s articulated. We also get other powerful lines, such as “Another kid was shot today, the NRA has something they wanna say,” and “Social media isn’t a safe space. How many likes would it take to make sure that you’re okay?” Two Dollar $am is reflecting on the dangers of social media, and asking a thought-provoking question about his very own psyche.
The standout track on this EP is the aptly-named “Aquarius”, a reggae-inspired acoustic guitar track with a bustling bassline. Two Dollar $am reflects on asking questions about things that he should know and the nature of having regrets in life before delivering a powerful line that you won’t soon forget: “I’ll let you know when I finally find myself.” In the follow-up line, he ponders on the cards that each human is dealt in life, observing that some people naturally had advantages that he didn’t have and others had disadvantages that he didn’t have. Reaching a critical mass of zen, Two Dollar $am is on a journey to find himself, and he’s finding himself fast. “Life’s full of twists and turns and people that will leave. My past is my past because it’s behind me,” references Mr. Woodcock and highlights the ever changing nature of life and relationships.
Perhaps the most hip-hop influenced song on this EP, “Happy” is a throwback to the original days of Two Dollar $am as a punchline-rapper. Beautiful guest vocals from the elusive Aalysa complete the chorus: “I never knew it could be this way, I’m finally happy man I really hope it stays that way. Who cares if you don’t have it all? Cause all you need is a little fall to teach you how to love so strong.” While TDS’s punchline raps are youthful, they pack a hard punch with introspective lyrics about staying true to yourself and loving who you are. Overall, this is a very heartfelt track and will be sure to resonate with you at some point in your life.
The interlude “One Dollar Rick” serves as a perfect break from the music, and we get a guest vocal from actor-rapper Simon Rex, claiming that “Anyone named Two Dollar $am is a hell of a lot better than a dude named One Dollar Rick.”
The interlude leads directly into the last song on the EP, “Remember When,” a post-punk-inspired track that sees Two Dollar $am going back to his experimentation with different styles of punk rock. He reflects on a past relationship and the nostalgia surrounding it, asking the question “Do you remember when we felt like the only two alive?” While this is my least-favorite track on the EP, I do understand the impact of this line and was struck by it pretty hard on my re-listen of Localism.
Overall, Localism is a stellar release by a musician that I hope and pray will rediscover his passion for making music. One of my all-time favorite local releases, Localism asks the powerful questions and ridicules the silly nature of our lives. A testament to Two Dollar $am’s versatility and willingness to experiment with different sounds and styles, some tracks may resonate more than others, but the EP as a whole is a cohesive and enjoyable listening experience that showcases the artist’s unique perspective and lyrical prowess. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his music, Localism is a release worth checking out.