Saul Williams’ latest effort, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust, lives up to its name in both ambition and scope. You can't just pay homage to David Bowie's seminal alter ego and not follow through. And thankfully, Williams does with a record that teleports genres with each song, and which doesn't hold back on diagnosing us and the state of our nation. Williams recorded the album with the help of Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, whose trademark factory drums, shredded synths, and hypnotic hooks are spotted all over. And following the trail blazed by Radiohead last October, Williams released the album online for free in November on his official site. The album is now available out on CD and vinyl (remember those?). In a conversation about the new disc, Saul Williams tells me why his 12-year-old daughter thinks Barack Obama is the best candidate, why you can't trust Wikipedia, and just who exactly Niggy Tardust is (hint: look in the mirror).

Saul Williams couldn’t make it to last night's S.O.B.'s, so he sent Niggy Tardust in his place. Saul’s inventive and controversial character, the basis of his new album The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust, took the stage clad in sparkly war paint and feathers in front of a large painted backdrop. While the band all wore feathers as well, they maintained distinct personae, with touches like Willy Wonka shades and indescribably sculptured hair. “All I tell the band members," says Saul "is, ‘you know that thing you’ve always wanted to do? Go there.’ We’re on a stage, which is an elevated platform above the audience. They don’t need you to be onstage acting like you fit in with the audience.” And as far as his own costume, he explains, "Before I go onstage I’m looking in the mirror trying to not recognize myself. So I keep adding until I don’t see Saul. And when I no longer see Saul I know Niggy’s present.”