Reviews (36)

CJ Great Album From A great Artist!!
I was very impressed with this album.Normally before I buy a cd, I try to find a person who has it so I can listen to it to see if I like it.This cd I didn't really do that.I kinda just took a stab in the dark and I think I hit something.I bought this cd the first week it came out, because it was pretty hyped.From start to finish, this cd is excellent and I don't normally skip any tracks, unless it is to get to Lord Have Mercy or Gotta Have It.Both of those songs are off the chain.Every song has great production and Beans raps with passion and heart on everyone.In Lord Have Mercy, the first line is awesome.He says,

"I'm trying to climb the stairways to heaven like Led Zepplin"
and then a little later he says
"I do my dirt so my kids see heaven on earth"

I love this song just because it is so heartfelt, and also because it is one of the few solos Beans has on the cd.He really brought in a lot of geust stars, but it turns out to be for the better because Beans works well with them.The best Collaboration would probably be Don't Stop feat. Snoop Dogg.Snoop plays a very small roll by doing the hook and another small part of the song where he says:

"Let's toast to the man, that when he get out, that he gonna do the things he rapping about, a true player for real"
and then Beans comes in with
"Haters stay out my face and know that thing still by my waist"

I love every song on this cd and it is a must own for this year.

Other Great Albums this year
Common-Be (Deluxe Edition)
Game- Documentary
Kanye West- Late Registration
Weezer- Make Believe
Fall Out Boy- From Under the Cork Tree

More Rawness from Beans
I can admit that I didn't think this album was going to be great as I put into the cd player, but I can honestly say that I was impressed.With Beans having legal problems, you would think this cd was going to be a rush job, but it wasn't.Feel it in the Air was a very good way to start this cd off and it's followed by I Can't Go On This Way w/ Freeway.Beans featured enough people on the album to reach all geographical areas.

West Coast - Don't Stop featuring Snoop
South - Purple Rain featuring Bun B
Midwest/North - Wanted (On The Run) featuring Cam'ron
Eastcoast - It's On featuring Jay-Z

Favorites -
-Change - very nice track
-It's On
-Feel It in the Air
-Purple Rain
-Lord Have Mercy
-Look At Me Now

another nice 3rd album from another nice aritst-3.5
What surprised me most about this album is that Kanye West didnt produce any tracks on this album because he produced 2 of (in my opinion) the best Beanie Sigel tracks: The Truth and Nuthin' Like It. The album starts on a high with Feel It In the Air, major props to Heavy D for producing this track. I say that because it might as well of been a Kanye West production. It comes in with a sexy, soulful vocals from a new artist Melissa. Feel It In the Air is deep with strong rhymes about jail and collectin props. The album continues with another great song I Can't Go On This Way featuring Freeway & Young Chris (that also could of been a Kanye West production). The low point of this song is how Beans talks bout dentil plans his teeth look alright to me!!! The next to songs hit a low point for the album with One Shot Deal which sounds like it riped abit of Young Gunz Future of the R.O.C. Then in my opinion the albums worst song Gotta Have It featuring Twista (who i love) and Peddi Peddi (who i hate). Major dissin to Chad Hamilton who i loved on Young Gunz's album. The Rest of the songs are alright (Except Purple Rain). So then we skip to track 8: Change a magnificent song with Rell (who i love) and Melissa Jay (who ive never heard of???). Major props to Ty Fyffe. Then Bread and Butter which i dont care for but then Lord Have Mercy!!! GREAT SONG!!! Major props to Ruggedness! Then we come to Flatline, i really dont know what Beans sees in Peddi Peddi, hes just rubbish! After which we come to Tales of a Hustler Pt2. Great song!!! Nice Saxaphone in the back. Next song Look At Me Now i dont care for one bit! The next 2 tracks It's On and Wanted on the Run are both great tracks!
In conclusion this album has its ups and downs but if your a Beanie Sigel fan i would recomend it.

"Fire proof booth"
So far one of the best lp's dis year.No, im not down with the ROC but, they doin there dam thang' this summer.They must have somebody new in office or sumn'!No doubt the Roc holted all the rumors...Who says a ROC w/o Jay won't work?Guess who's pulling the strings at Def Jam?!!All his tracks are hot, plus he had good influences on writing when he was a freshman rapper so it all damn near brough tears to my eyes.Shouts out to tha boy Shawn!!!

best hip hop album 2005
really inpressed with beanie's work. loved the tracks bread and butter, and both tracks with peedi. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

love it or hate it
to anybody who is not a big fan of quasimoto I suggest you download a couple of his songs first before you go out and cop this. to anybody else who is a big fan, this is one of the best releases so far of 2005. There are some sick beats, and Quas does his thing as well. I would have liked to see a couple more tracks with Doom, since "Closer" is one my fav quas songs ever. Overall, you either hate Quas or you love him, and there is not very many people in between, so listen to this before you buy it, but to Quas fans like myself, it will definitely not dissapoint.

As good as the first, if not better.
If you are a true quasimoto fan, this album will not disappoint. Like the first one, you have to listen to it a couple times before it really sets in how good this album is. The beats, and lyrics aretop notch, with hilarious samples throughout. First listen through I was severly disappointed, but as the first album I kept listening and this rough rock turned into a real gem. Do not miss this album!

Too bad so sad
Listen to the other dudes telling you that this is not a great album."The Unseen" was super tight, this is pretty whack.Some decent beats, but the whole album is chopped up into little tiny bits and there is almost no flow through the whole thing.Songs could have been dope if they had lasted longer and not been cut up so bad.Really disappointing.You can't be perfect all the time.

WOWZA
Album of the year so far in my book.Amazing how so many ideas can pour out of a 2-3 track and yet sound so cohesive.The album weaves in and out of ideas just like a comic book would.I know some people on here complain about the breaks in tracks for chatter or whatever... but listen... it all makes perfect sense.Ever listened to The Books?Ya, same idea.It gets to the point where these 'pointless' breaks become the whole point of the track. Take 'Bus Ride' and 'Life is' for example, those breaks turn out to be the hooks of the song... just genious.Anyways, if you are unfamiliar with Madlib's other projects... you might want to listen to 'Madvillainy' first because its pretty simliar but has MF Doom as the featured rapper.

What happened..???
Since I love Quasimoto's debut album "The Unseen" to death, I realized my record collection would be incomplete without this album, wether it sucked or not... So when it came out, I ordered it straight away. Now I've been listening to it for a week or so, and I'm still trying to force myself to enjoy it as much as I enjoy "The Unseen", but I guess I have to realize that it will never happen.

There are some good beats on the album, and Lord Quas drops a couple of dope lines, I have to admit that, but for the most part the album stops to many times, interupting your listening experience. Also, on some tracks his voice isn't as tweeked as we are used to. It's not far from just beeing Madlib's voice!

I have to say I prefer listening to the superdope, chill & jazzy hip hop album "The Unseen" over "TFAOLQ", but thats just my opinion... PEACE!!! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Nice departure from the mainstream crap
If you're sick of the mainstream trite crap, check this out.Walking Dead with Chester Bennington is a dope track along with the stellar effort from Chuck D and a few other less know MC's that add their talent to several tracks accompanied by Z-Trip's renowned skills on the wheels of steel.

Average cd from a great DJ
"Shifting Gears" is a decent, good, not great, release from the extremely talented DJ Z-Trip.Z-Trip was the king of the mashup before it became the trendy hip, cool thing to do."Uneasy Listening" is a classic, if you can somehow locate it.

"Shifting Gears" is more of a regular producer album with a bunch of guest MC's.It's very similar to DJ Babu of Dilated Peoples cd.It's very up and down: some MC's are good, some not so good.I guess it depends on which rappers you like/dislike; that may affect your opinion a lot.

Luckily, the last song Revolution features his classic mashup mixing.His ability to blend two completely irrelevant records together into something tight is amazing.

I think it's too bad the whole album wasn't mostly instrumentals with a few vocalists scattered throughout.Instead it's a mostly average guest-MC-vocal album with a few fantastic instrumentals thrown about.Three stars.It's reasonably priced too, which is great!

Goddamm that DJ made my day !!
Having followed Mr Z since about 98, he finally releases a mainstream CD, which is something of a departure, believe me, trying to get hold of anything from this elusive DJ is a result.So has he sold out ??No, he definitely has not, although this is not Uneasy Listening Vol 2, its not a mix CD, although all tracks blend into each other effortlessly.The tracks are so diverse, you never know what to expect next, soul, funk, rock, hip hop and that is Z-Trip`s trade mark, never a dull moment throughout.Some purists might persist that this is a confused CD, trust me he has hit the mark, when listening to this CD you're feelings are taken for a journey of bends, you just cant see what's coming !!Drill Sergeants, Breakfast Cereal's, ambient wave sounds lapping on a beach, yes really !!Suffice to say at the prices I have seen this CD for, you really cant go wrong, the only catch being that you will want more and more of this maestro of the decks, and as you will soon find out, that is not such an easy journey :>)

On a personal note, the outstanding track for me is "Shock and Awe" such power and emotion from a song, listen to the lyric's,Z-Trip and Chuck D it really doesn't get deeper or nastier !!

Good, but not THAT good
Being from AZ I've seen this dude live and own some of his underground cd's.So I know how sick this guy is. This cd is good, but it's not sick.Z is very capable of making some sick sounds, but his full talent isn't really present on this cd.One of the other reviewers said that Z couldn't get a lot of his samples cleared, and I think that hurt him.This is a very solid cd, but lacks in something that doesn't make it a five star.the song with murs and super nat is my fav on the cd.If you're looking for a good "mixed tape" cd check out Prefuse 73's Surrounded by Silence, which is pure butter.

Classic
Seriously, if you want some music that not only stands out but that will stand the test of time, this is it. one listen and already i can feel how much energy went into this. this album is exactly what i wanted. Buy this now and you will not regret it

Peace ... Read more

Amazon.com

Any lingering doubts as to the depth of Eminem's skills or his potentialfor raw yet compelling honesty are dispelled on The Eminem Show's firsttrack. Armed with a quicksilver flow and a thundering rhythm track (the recordwas exec produced by longtime mentor and partnerDr. Dre), "WhiteAmerica" finds Eminem ferociously mauling the hand that feeds him, lambastinghis critics, the industry, and the racism that, in many ways, helped makeMarshall Mathers more than just another rapper. "Let's do the math," Em sneers,"If I was black I would have sold half/ I could be one of your kids/ Little Ericlooks just like this." After the bombast ofThe Marshall Mathers LPand Eminem's well-noted use of sexual epithets, this kind of material is mademore controversial because it actually rings true. From a brutal retort to hislong-estranged and equally troubled mother ("Cleaning Out My Closets") to asurprisingly tender ode to his child ("Hailie's Song"), Eminem examines hislife, loves, arrests, addictions, failures, and successes with surprisinginsight, making this a funk-drenched hip-hop confessional well worth the hype.--Amy Linden ... Read more

Reviews (674)

VERY SOLID CD
curtins up-pretty [bad] song he you just hear footsteps

White America-Rap/Hard Rock pretty good song i like the mix in the music...

cleaning out my closet-very cool the beat is sweet and rapping is awsome he talks about how he made some [cruddy] mistakes very emotianol

square dance-dont get fooled by the title its a fair RAP song

The Kiss-VERY GAY SKIT

soldiar-very cool song hardcore rapping nice chores i like this song a lot!!!!

say goodbye hollywood-this is a cool song i like the CHORES

without me-amazing raps lots of disses reminds of his other cds

skit-the skit where eminems maneger tels him 2 leave his gun at home lol

sing 4 the moment-I LOVE THIS SONG IT HAS VERY GOOD BEAT AND TYTE RAPPING

superman-gay

hallies song-this is a very solid song about his dauguter

when the music stops-this is a solid song amazing raps by d12 about what it will be when music is not a big thing

say what u say-one thing EMINEM AND DR.DRE DISSING JD

til i collaspe-my favorite song on the cd feat nate dogg he does a sweet part in the song

my dads gone crazy feat hallie eminems daugter-weird song about how eminem has gonr crazy hallie says that

curtins close-a hobo sings part of without me

I usally hate eminem but this cd is very tyte so if ur not gonna by it cause u hate eminems other CDS then by it

A PERSONAL AND THEMATICALLY SOUND ALBUM
Welcome to his show. His personal show. Like nicely-crafted concept albums in hip-hop (Ice Cube's earlier recordings come to mind), none of the songs in THE EMINEM SHOW particularly stand out. The production, most of which Eminem does himself, has a pervasive rock and organic sound to it, thus setting it apart musically from THE SLIM SHADY LP and THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP. Eminem's main focus, lyric-wise, is his personal life, hurling more vicious barbs at his mother ("Cleaning Out My Closet", "My Dad's Gone Crazy") and showing the usual affection to his beloved daughter Hailie, attempting to sing--with hilarious results--in "Hailie's Song". The lyrical delivery is simply incredible: there is no doubt that few MCs today could do multi-syllable rhyming the way this guy does. But there is more to this album than just a rock-rap edge, family matters, and dazzling rhyming. He gets socio-political, ostracizing a segment of American society that acts hypocritical towards hip-hop ("White America"); verbally (and subliminally) smacks Canibus around (e.g. "Square Dance"); and still has time to bring in a few guest appearances, with memorable results (most notably Nate Dogg on "Till I Collapse").
If there are any flaws with this record, it is that the music and the subject matter can get tiring and repetitive; indeed, if you listen close to the last couplets of the second verse of "My Dad's Gone Crazy", Eminem might have just revealed his lyrical Achilles' Heel. Also, he could have done without the song "Drips". And clocking in at about 77 minutes, the album only exacerbates its relative redundancy. But it is altogether a strong concept album, considering the dearth of quality material released by MCs today.

how about niggaz and wiggers learn how to act like people?
rap is not music and there is no talent involved. you know why cops pull blacks and wiggers over? it's because they're blasting this gay crap and it's annoying. if i were a cop, i would pull "yall" over and shoot you in the back of the head. all rappers and followers are insecure and the only way they can get attention is to blast this garbage in their cars. the bigger the s.u.v. you drive, the smaller (...)you have. stop trying to prove yourself, the aryan nation hates you.

"I'D RATHER LISTEN TO WEIRD AL'S COUCH POTATO"
EMINEM CAN'T RAP PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH. DON'T BUY THIS CD WILL SMITH GREATESTHITS IS JAMMING SO IS THE WEIRD AL SONG COUCH POTATO. WEIRD AL WON A GRAMMY DID EMINEM NO I WONDER WHY?

Guess Whose Back, Back to Suck
"Look at me. I'm a whiny little baby whose getting sued by his mom and ex-girlfriend, and probably by my daughter when she's old enough. Wah! Wah! Hurry up give me my bags of money and my big ass expensive car so I can cruise by all the big mansions on my many streets on my closed off home complex on my personal island. Look, I think I can rap but I suck penis more than I rap. And I must be gay because I named myself after a tough ass candy product, but I spelled it all aweird like a loser f**kface. Damn I suck. I can't wait to kill myself when my daghter says she hates me and starts listening to METAL. Because her father sucks (literally once again)at life." ... Read more

Album Description

Take a moment...

Take a breath... The air is electric, and you've got one last chance to taste it... before all hell breaks loose.The signs are all there if you look:written in the fields, spreading across the sky, and droning in the wind.Enjoy the sounds that reach out to you for they might be the last you ever hear... Take your last gasp and enter... The Calm.The Dark Carnival has spoken throughout the Joker's Card saga, and the world waits to see if this Calm will find them silent, or if it's just the sign of chaos to come...The Calm shall settle across the ENTIRE WORLD, before all is consumed by the storm! ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Just release a Single CD for "Rollin Over"
Because thats the only good song on here. Ive been down with these guys forever, but they have really dissapointed me with their last two LPs. They got to grow up at some point. All their immature sh*t sounds the same.

The new production is quite good
First off I was at one point a huge fan of ICP and I have heard damn near everything they have released and with the exception of 90% of the Bizare albums I have been down with there sound for better or worse.Though as of late Twiztid has out done ICP on every turn I can't help but feel that this album marks a positive turning point for Joe & Joey.The new production on this joint is interesting and a welcome break from all of the copy catesque garbage most hip-hop fans are suffering through right now and as always violent J is on point lyrically.For some strange reason this album reminds me of the high points of Tunnel Of Love.Worth the money and long live anybody who goes tooth for tooth angainst Feminem and spanks his little blasphemous rappin on Tupac's music (...)

A New Era For A New Generation
Okay....wow...first off, this album hit me like a slow then unforgiving gush of wind. I was pleased with all the songs and new beats offered, though very different from anything else I've heard from ICP before, this met my expectations on all levels. Ever since becoming a proud, card-carrying (proverbally) Juggalo last year in September, and having collected over 12 years of music and various other ICP items here n' there, I became a fan instantly once being exposed to them by a friend at work on a weekly basis. Once I was a full-fledged fan, I began to feel down about all I've missed in the last 12 years of ICP's history, and I had just become a fan during the last of the famous Joker's Cards saga, The Wraith: Hell's Pit. Then with the announcement of The Calm EP being released in mere months, I felt a newfound joy come over me, as this marks the first ICP release I've been a part of since its original announcement to its eagerly anticipated release date. I say to all ICP fans, Juggalo's, Juggalette's, Ninja's, Ninjette's...give this CD a chance and feel the new sounds of a new ICP style, enjoy the music for what it is and prepare yourselves all..for the storm that will approach in The Calm's wake.

Better than the last effort.
This EP isn't bad. While it isn't up to the level of some of their prior efforts, it is an impovement over Hell's Pit which was very dissapointing. Here's hoping things continue to improve on their next release. After Hell's Pit I was leary of picking up the EP. But I'm glad I gave them a second chance as there may still be hope. Plus at $5 it didn't set me back much to find out. Give it a listen and judge for yourself. Just shop around as it's really not worth paying more than $5 for...

Excelent
Imma down juggalo, I had been straying from the light but its a great cd broght me right back in great for those who have been down for awhile and those curious about it, unlike somepeople who reveiwed its a great cd, the choruses are the best and it brings the most devestating sound in years. I recommend this. ... Read more

Reviews (871)

White rap exists after all, and this is nearly flawless
This is simply the best album on my shelf. That is comparing Eminem to the likes of Korn, 2Pac, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube, The Notorius B.I.G. and others. Here we do see maybe a lack of effort by Dre, producing around 0-2 songs beyond the single releases. But Eminem is a lyrical master, telling lots of stories or otherwise just rhyming funny lyrics. In "Brain Damage" he has a conflict with a school bully, and "As the World Turns" features a disturbed young kid who "Murders his Guenea pig and stuck him in the microwave" who eventually has a brush with a divorced whore. "Rock Bottom", "Still Don't Give A F*ck", and "If I Had" are turnarounds with Slim Shady talking serious about his screwed up life. Outstanding, and well worth your $$$...

Ratings: (tracks 1, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 16 are interludes) My Name Is: 100; Guilty Conscience: 99; Brain Damage: 97; If I Had: 87; '97 Bonnie and Clyde: 93; Role Model: 95; My Fault: 95; Cum on Everybody: 94; Rock Bottom: 98; Just Don't Give a F*ck: 96; As the World Turns: 99; I'm Shady: 96; Bad Meets Evil: 93; Still Don't Give a F*ck: 96

The Best
This is prolly the best lyrical album since Nas' "Illmatic". Eminem will always be one of the greatest rappers, and his debut showcases his unbelievable rhymes. Songs like "Rock Bottom", "Bad Meets Evil", "Still Don't Give A F***", and "If I Had" are unreleased classics. Em's lyricism rivals Canibus' flow, but Em's is much better. This album isn't better than "The Marshall Mathers LP", but it is better than "The Eminem Show"(that cd was also really good).

"Rock Bottom"- A solid three verses about depression. Very impressive.

"Role Model"- Sounds like he freestyled these two verses. Really cool("I'm cancerous so when I rap you wouldn't wanna answer this, if you responded back with a battle rap you wrote for Canibus").

"Bad Meets Evil"- Nice verses and beat. Em's then friend Royce Da 5'9' guest raps and together the two rappers take on the world.

"If I Had"- Probably the truest song on the album. Em lets out his anger on this over a depressing beat.

"97 Bonnie & Clyde"- A darkly humorous parody of Will Smith's "Just The Two Of Us". It basically tells the story of Em taking his daughter to drown her mother.

"Still Don't Give A F***"- This song resembles "Criminal" from Eminem's sophmore album. Very cool.

Overall, like I said, the lyrics on this album are some of the best. And for all the present day Eminem haters, Em's got this locked and he's gonna end Zno's wannabe career.

Sick!
I liked my name is that's funny! Gooooood lyrics and great beats.

Nice for a first album.
Slim Shady is one of my favorite psychopathic rappers. He's also white, like me. "The Slim Shady LP" is no doubt a tribute to the s**t he's put up with and his sl*t wife, Kim Mathers. Some of my favorite songs on this album are "Guilty Conscience", "My Name Is", and "Just/Still Don't Give a F**k". Although this album is good, the Marshall Mathers LP surpasses it in many ways, in my opinion. If you haven't picked this one up yet, do it now, or if you're a parent who doesn't want their kids listening to disgusting words, then pick up the clean version. Great job, Em! You rock!!

One Of Em's Finest
Simply a classic Marshall Mathers masterpiece. Slim gets help on the mix boards with one of rap's most admired producers of all time, Dr. Dre. Dre makes songs like "Guilty Conscience" stand out with a unique feeling that you won't get from listening to anything else. My favorite tracks (in no particular order) are: My fault, As the World turns, Role Model, Guilty Conscience, My name is,'97 Bonnie and Clyde, Just don't give a F--- and Brain Damage. This album often gets hard knocks due to hits harsh lyrical content. Since buying this album two weeks ago, I have listened to it quite a few times and the lyrics do not bother me at all. However, if you are under 16, I do not reccomend playing this album in front of your parents. Eminem is one of the most talented emcyees to pick up a microphone in years. He makes words rhyme brilliantly in ways you could never immagine. If you are thinking of buying em's third release-The "Eminem Show", or his sophomore effort-"The Marshall Mathers LP" I deeply reccomend picking up this album first. It will help you relate to what he is saying in his newer releases, and will let you travel deep inside the mind of Em's dark alter-ego-Slim Shady. If you love classic rap like Tupac, Biggs, Nas, Jay-Z, Dre, and Snoop-then I promise you will fall in love with this album immediately. 10/10-lyrics 8/10-beats (if you want some very tight beats buy "The Marshall Mathers LP") 9/10-production, 10/10-Flow. Pick up this album soon! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Not since the days of the Clash and the MC5 has rock seen such political force as in the uncompromising debut from this L.A. quartet. Expanding the hip-hop/metal style of bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage tap the spirits of vintage Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, coupled with hardcore punk intensity and Public Enemy-style grooves. "Bombtrack" opens the LP with a shot of adrenaline and singer Zack de la Rocha's infuriated chorus of "Burn, burn, yes, you're gonna burn!" The intensity doesn't let up an inch on the militant "Killing in the Name" (with the inspiring chant, "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!"), the ultrafunky "Bullet in the Head," and the engrossing "Fistful of Steel." Tom Morello combines time-honored metal guitar riffs with sounds that suggest a hip-hop scratcher over a rhythm section that simply takes no prisoners. Intelligent and aggressive, this is unimpeachably one of the best hard-rock records ever made. --James Rotondi ... Read more

Reviews (442)

Music as brutal and uncompromising as the cover art.
From the beginning in 1992, Rage Against The Machine rank as the best, most intelligent foray into the tepid rap-metal genre. While their radical politics may not be for everyone (I'll get to that in a minute), when they were "on" not many mainstream bands could rival their intensity. Rage Against The Machine's debut is perhaps their most consistent and best album.

The debut has a different feel from their later releases--the song structures are stretched longer, and the lyrics read more like political slogans than the poetry of The Battle Of L.A. The rhythm section also plays a more prominent role, with Tim C.'s funky slap-bass rhythms and tight drumming by Brad Wilk. Tom Morello's guitar playing never fails to amaze, with big Led Zeppelin-esque riffs (check out the Kashmir homage on Wake Up!) and unique electronic blips and effects.

Zach De La Rocha is a unique vocalist--love him or hate him, few can argue with the power of Rocha's delivery and lyricism, somewhat remiscient of Chuck D. from Public Enemy. And the lyrics here are VERY powerful. Take Know Your Enemy, for example (which features a strong guest vocal by Tool's Maynard Keenan):

"Yes, I know my enemies/
They're the teachers who taught me to fight me/
Compromise, conformity, assimilation, submission/
Ignorance, hypocrisy, brutality, the elite/
All of which are American dreams.."

The last line is repeated several times, driving the song home and leaving the listener stunned. And the album achieves this level of power again on Wake Up, with the verse:

"Ya know they murdered X/
And tried to blame it on Islam/
He turned the power to the have-nots/
And then came the shot/
What was the price on his head?"

The rest of the album approaches or matches this level of quality, with only Settle For Nothing leaving me somewhat cold. Definitely worth a purchase, then check out the great third album The Battle Of L.A. (skip over Evil Empire).

Note: I agree with some of the political views and disagree with others expressed on this album (such as the pro-socialism stance), but ultimately it is possible to enjoy the top-notch music and not agree with the rhetoric. As far as being charged as "hypocrites," yes they are on a major label. However, a great deal of Rage Against The Machine's proceeds go to Amnesty International and other organizations, so I wouldn't be so quick to call them "sellouts." Just thought I'd contribute my opinion.

A Historic Album For Music
In 1992, everything was about grunge and flannel. Enter Rage Against The Machine. While everyone was finding a way to rip off Seattle bands, RATM were smelling revolution instead of teen spirit. RATM weren't the first ones to rap over riffs (see: Anthrax's "I'm The Man"), but they were the first to really do something with it. Melding Black Sabbath-esque guitars, Public Enemy political raps, and a punk rock tinge in both their music and intensity, RATM gave birth to an animal known as "Rage Against The Machine" that would forever change music. RATM's anti-government political stance in their songs is as relentless as Tom Morello's riffing. Just look at the names of these songs: "Take The Power Back," "Wake Up," "Know Your Enemy," "Freedom"--this isn't your typical rock album here, folks. Everything hear has a meaning, and it doesn't stoop down to the level of sticking cookies up your girlfriend's ... Zack De La Rocha's furious vocals are nothing short of amazing. Every lyric, every gasp of air he takes, and every scream shakes the skull like only Fat Freddie could dream of. "Instead I warm my hands on the flames of the flag" goes one line, "So called facts are fraud, they want us to allege and pledge, and bow down to their God" goes another. Then, there's Tom Morello--my personal pick for the greatest guitarist ever. Taking a page from Tony Iommi's book (Black Sabbath--maybe you've heard of 'em?), Tom's guitars are dark and sludgy--but with that extra punk rock kick that guitarists in Iommi's era were missing. But while Iommi had those dark, sludgy, demonic riffs, Morello has dark, mean, ugly and nasty riffs that are fueled by punk rock rage. And who could forget Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk? Hands down, one of the best rhythm sections in rock history. Tim and Brad alone are amazing musicians--Tim's bass playing rivals Flea's, and Brad's drumming is fast, powerful and devastating--but together, there's no stopping them. They're funky, they're awesome, and they never fall victim to being redundant. As a whole, RATM are unrivaled. Limp Bizkit, Taproot, Papa Roach, etc. couldn't get the rap-metal formula right with hand-written instructions from RATM stapled to their foreheads. It's easy writing a review were you disect a song and talk about its good or weak points. But not here. You see, ALL these songs are top-notch, rock classics. From the religion bashing of "Killing In The Name," to the goverenment bashing of "Know Your Enemy," to "Freedom" which is about Leonard Peltier, this disk is perfect anyway you look at it. But my personal favorite was "Freedom." Saving the best for last, RATM create a relentless rock song that is up there with "Bulls On Parade." The way the song rolls and stops, then kicks into high-gear, and then builds up with so much tension and explodes like the atom bomb is just perfect. "Rage Against The Machine" is sheer perfection, any which way you look at it. It's aggressive, it's defiant, it's intelligent, it's groundbreaking, and it's a masterpiece. Just like all the classic albums, this one will forever stand the test of time.

"When ignorance reigns, life is lost..."
I first got into Rage Against The Machine in 7th grade, when I was into crap like Limp Bizkit and purchased Evil Empire because people said I would like it if I liked Limp Bizkit. In retrospect, that comparison is a big insult to Rage. That's like comparing "Goodfellas" to "You Got Served".

Anyway, I really liked (and still like) Evil Empire (especially "Vietnow"). However, I didn't get this album until this past January. Before then, I had a few of the songs on mixes, but that's it. I listened to samples in the store and really liked what I heard, so I purchased it. Forget Wimp Bizkit; this is rock-rap done RIGHT!

First of all, the musicians here; Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk (now of Audioslave); are all very talented. Check out the slap bass, the riffs, the drumming. Add Zack De La Rocha's politically-charged rhymes over top of them, and you get what might be the only band in history influenced by both Led Zeppelin and Public Enemy, which may sound like mixing pizza and ice cream but comes out sounding damn good. Most of the songs on here are favorites.

The angry, anti-authority/government diatribes are what made this album a classic twelve years ago. Before 1992, there weren't too many albums with "[...] you, I won't do what you tell me!" as a lyric. And I think "When ignorance reigns, life is lost" is very relatable to the Iraq war going on today.

Overall, if you want a REAL rap-rock record, check this one out first, then get the others.(...)

Classic
Their self-titled debut would prove to be Rage Against the Machine's best effort, though they hardly slipped over the ensuing years and albums. This is a classic in the truest sense of the word: it begs you to pull it out of your collection at least 2-3 times a year, and it represents some of the best music from its time and place. RATM reminds you that the best music SAYS SOMETHING, whether it's politically-motivated or just something the artist feels the need to share with their audience. Rage's blend of incendiary metal riffing (courtesy of Tom Morello's groundbreaking guitar work), pounding drums, and scream-in-your-ear agenda-pushing lyrics was powerful, unique, and uncompromising. This is an essential album for anyone that listens to message-heavy music.

finally, real rap/metal
I have to say, listening to Linkin Park, P.O.D, etc, RATM is by far the best rap/metal band out there. Alot of rap/metal bands just talk about sex drugs and stuff cough*, cough*, Limp Bizket, cough*. But Rage is differnt they talk about right and wrong. Zack De la Rocha is one of the most respected people out there for his political opinions on our US Government, his lyrics are expreesed in various amounts of anger in hardcore rap. Tom morello, 1 word, AMAZING, his guitar playing is crazy. And would you believe that most of these cool sounds are made by guitar, thats awesome. Timmy C with the bass, very good, the bass blends perfect with the guitar. And Brad wilk, another jaw dropper, his drumming is also amzing, when you listen to all the tracks, the drum pattern is perfect. There Self titled debut is filled with lots of great rap, guitar solos, and plenty of screaming.

1)Bombtrack (4:05) - great opener to the album, also a nice intro too. 8/10
2)Killing in the Name (5:14) - After listening to this track I was amazed, great song to listen to when you're pissed off, my third fav. track. 10/10
3)Take the Power Back (5:37) - a very political song with some great lyrics. 8/10
4)Settle for Nothing (4:48) - not my favorite but still good. Has a cool guitar solo. 7/10
5)Bullet in the Head (5:09)- cool guitar, another great track one of my favorite. 8/10
6)Know Your Enemy (4:55)- cool lyrics, and great guitar riffs. 9/10
7)Wake Up (6:04)- first heard it in the matrix, another great guitar, best lyrics. 10/10
8)Fistful of Steel (5:31)- meh, ok. 6/10
9)Township Rebellion (5:24)- meh, ok. 6/10
10)Freedom (6:05) - An excellent way to finish the album, my favorite track. 12/10

In all, out of all the best RATM albums pick this up first then move up to there other ones, Evil Empire, Battle of L.A, Renegades, and Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The biggest (and only relevant) member of the St. Lunatics crew fully indulges his rap-meets-R&B fixations on the enjoyable (if predictable) Suit. Whereas companion CD Sweat is geared toward the male thugs in the clubs, this one's for the thugettes. More lyrically compelling than Sweat, Suit shows a softer, more cerebral, less flashy side to St. Louis's favorite son. Check out "Die for You," Nelly's ode to youth, and the calypso-tinged, introspective "In My Life," which reveals a more worldly rap duke underneath the band aids and chunky jewelry. Nelly's unique "singjay" flows tend to take a backseat to the beautiful harmonies of guests such as Jahiem, who sounds like a modern-day Teddy Pendergrass on "My Place," and Anthony Hamilton, whose spot on "Nobody Knows" reminds us why he's the most underrated of the contemporary soul balladeers. When Nelly said he was going to introduce his Midwest style to a wider audience, he wasn't kidding: even country star Tim McGraw joins the fray on "Over and Over." --Dalton Higgins ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Nellys greatest
dang i love this whole album, it shows the many sides of nelly that not everyone knew he had. my fav. song is "in my life". that song can put anyone in a happy mood. and "die for you" is so sweet, his lil girl sounds soo cute and i didnt know he had 2 kids till hearing this track but the whole album is off the chain if u aint got it go cop it! and Sweat too!!

I LOVE NELLY!!!
this album is the bomb! all of the songs are so awesome. it is way better than sweat. fans of songs like "ride wit me" "utha side" and "pimp juice" will be very pleased with this work. here is a rating of all of the songs.

Play it off: w/d Pharell Williams
this is a good first track. it really sets the mood, with its killer lyrics and chorus by nelly and pharell.
I give it 9/10.

Pretty toes: w/d Jazze Pha and T.I.
this is my second fav track. it has a smooth flow and sounds sort of like MY PLACE. I love it!
10/10

My Place: w/d Jaheim
this is absolutely marvelous. i cant say anymore. this lead single is really a classic
11/10

Paradise:
this is the best song on suit. it is very sexy and sensual. nelly is not only a good rapper but a good singer. this song has excellent vocals and a nice beat.
12/10

She Don't Know My Name: w/d Ron Isley and Snoop
this song is pretty good. snoop's verse is nice and ron does an excellent job on the chorus.
8/10

N Dey Say:
this song is okay. if you listen to the lyrics it has a good message. the chorus is a little weak however. overall it is a nice song.
8/10

Woodgrain and Leather Wit a Hole
this song is pretty good except for the first minute where nelly just talks. it is about his pimped-out car. it sounds almost identical to pimp juice.
7/10

In My Life: w/d Mase and Avery Storm
This is my FAV song!!!!!!! it is awesome. mase and nelly tear the mic up. Avery Storm's chorus is very cool. the whole track is very laidback. congrats nelly!
15/10

Over and Over: w/d Tim McGraw
i DO NOT like country music but this track surprised me very much. It is very nice. It shocked me to hear nelly wit' tim mcgraw. They did a nice job. A+
8/10

Nobody Knows: w/d Anthony Hamilton
very laidback and subtle. anthony's chorus was nice. he has such a nice voice. the verses are a little weak however.
7/10

Die for You
i dont really care for this song. the whole vibe doesnt do anything for me. oh well, not bad nelly.
5/10

Overall album: 10/10
you gotta give nelly his props for this album.
... Read more

Reviews (33)

The best Dance song in Ages
My family and I heard the Cha Cha Slide in the Gambia West Africa on our holiday in March of this year (2002),the kids raved about it so much but no one knew the title or the artist as it was a recording given to someone in the hotel on a visit from the USA.The staff in the hotel gladly taught us the dance moves and we havn't stopped dancing yet.So after searching the net I found the title and artist and ordered it straight away.its an excellent dance song and I am amazed that it isn't popular in the UK (that I will have to try and remedy).I would love to know all the dance moves as well as the words and any other songs that are of this kind.

Cha-cha slide
This is delightful! It taps into some of the basic steps from dance and weaves them together with a great beat. Most importantly, though, it enables a person, like myself, to feel a simple, fun, and energizing rhythm. It is a GREAT way for people to share an activity together, especially those who may not be able to find common ground in verbal communication. Get it! Do it with family (especially dysfunctional ones during the holidays) and friends. Watch the introverted, cerebal, shy, intellectual and even cynical types move their bodies in ways they may have never moved them before! You'll giggle!

In the bum bum
This track is like so not kewl dude! It's like, hello, this track isn't kewl at all man, so it's like, duh, i mean, like, whateverrr man. This TOTALLY sucks man, it's like so not kewl. I hate you all. Moo har har har.

CHA CHA SLIDE
This is a great song (the cha-cha slide) for young girls. My daughter has been a cheerleader for 3 years and she is 9. This song helps break the tension or shyness between other girls on her squad. It is great if your child may be overweight, she (he) could use this song as a cardio exercise. I was at the San Diego Sports Arena for competition with about 7,000 other cheer squads. During intermission this song was played and 90% of the cheerleaders were dancing to the steps of this song. Now my opinion is if almost 7,000 girls liked it than use your own opinion. I like it, It is better than watching my young daughter dancing to ME AGAINST THE MUSIC W/BRITNEY SPEARS.

Wicked an groovy
The Cha cha slide by Dj Casper is a real hit. It has that sort of twang that gets you moving where ever you are. I really would give this song a chance even if you don't like this sort of music. It is a great work out and gets everyone off their ass and dancin' to the grooovy beat. Even older people can love this song.It has a party feel and makes you dance even if your cat has just died. 'Everybody clap your hands' for Dj Casper the cha cha slide man who rocks our world!!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

The joke of Licensed to Ill's cover--that the Beasties could crash their jet into the side of a mountain and keep on tickin'--serves as a good metaphor for a career that even some of their 1986 admirers thought might be over after the one-time-only shock of this full-length debut. That thousands of funk-junkie wannabes have since failed at re-creating its groove, breaking-the-law vibe, and ear-splitting mix of rock and rap is an even better joke. And funniest of all is the record itself, which packs dexterous boasts, aural puns, and lots and lots of yelling into a disc that can still be listened to with as much pleasure as it gave in '86. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (167)

Still Illin'
It's hard to believe, but sometimes true that what goes around, comes around. I saw the Beasties on stage in London in September 1986 (with Run DMC and LL Cool J) shortly after this album came out (they were last on the bill and played only three songs, including "Slow and Low" and "Fight For Your Right"). The prevailing opinion at the time was that "Licensed To Ill" was one of the most obnoxious releases in the history of music. But what a party! The Beastie Boys seemed like a one-hit wonder when they changed record labels and took three years to release their follow up (Paul's Boutique), plus the fact these white boys were being universally panned by most of the rap community. But the Boys must be having the last laugh, and listening to this album again, it still sounds good. I am amazed at all the kids that weren't even born in '86 are discovering this record, which attests to the band's endurance, although the band owes a lot to Rick Rubin, their producer who meshed the Boys' brashness with great sound samples. As a parent I can say that, based on the feedback I've read here, if you are trying to decide on a music purchase for your teenager, this may do the trick.

One of the most influential and essential albums of all time
I listen to a lot of different music, ranging from Slayer to Sublime, and have never really been much of a fan of rap or rap-rock. But before there were bands like Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit, there were the Beastie Boys, and "Licensed to Ill" is the album that catapaulted the three Brooklyn white rappers to phenominal success. Mixing hard rock riffs and furious raps, this album contains the classic party anthem "Fight For Your Right", along with radio staples "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" (featuring Slayer's Kerry King on guitar) and "Brass Monkey". "Rhymin & Stealin" and "She's Crafty" find the group sampling Led Zeppelin, while "Girls" and "Paul Revere" are hilarious. Produced by legendary producer Rick Rubin (Slayer, Danzig, Red Hot Chili Peppers), the Beastie Boys have pretty much disowned all their older material, which is a shame considering how excellent this album is, and how fresh it still sounds nearly 20 years after it's release.

its awsome a few of the songs not so good
its awsome like (fight for your right) but just a few sucked but i did not hate the fact i bought it i love it still i think its a good product here at amazon so i recomend it to all of you

Debut album that packs a punch
No one expected the Beastie Boys to last as long as they have, and that is part of this album's appeal. Who would have thought way back in 1986 that these white boys who practically yelled and screamed over tracks that masterfully blended rock and rap would still be topping the charts nearly 20 years later?

The then-novel concept of rock-rap is courtesy of the genius of producer Rick Rubin. He really knows how to craft a song full of hooks. The beats on this album are so massive they practically burst out of your stereo. Every song has a hook that digs itself into your brain and stays put. The best example of this would be "Paul Revere", an undeniably entertaining and catchy classic.

This wouldn't be much of an album though if it was only a producer who makes it worth listening to. Mike D., Adrock, and MCA have a great chemistry and work very well together. They are so confident and playful it's impossible not to have as good a time as they're having. They even know how to pull off the silliest of rhymes (check out "Girls" for proof).

This is a fantastic album. I just got it last week and I have been listening to it over and over ever since. If you are a fan of good, dumb fun, then I highly recommend this CD. Sure, it may appear to be a lot of screaming and yelling, but why complain when it's done so well? There are so many good songs here, including the big hit "Fight For Your Right" (which has held up very well over the years). I give this album my highest recommendation.

Bratty little SOBs with a fine CD.
People like to complain about this album: it's stupid, it's immature, it's sexist, blah, blah, blah. Well of course it is. It's supposed to be. And it succeeds spectacularly! Have a sense of humor people. Okay, on to the album itself: a fantastic blend of rock and rap (Thank you Rick Rubin, for such a concept!), with the perfect trio of smart ass punks, ya know the ones who came close to getting beat up everday at school but managed to smooth talk themselves out of harm's way? These are the guys. The rhymes are silly, but for the love of all that is good and holy, who can stand another thug reppin' his hood (when you know he grew up in the 'burbs of Jersey), talkin' 'bout his ho's and his ice without the slightest trace of irony? Rap is not known for its sense of humor. Licensed to Ill rescues it from drowning in it's own sense of self-importance and then manages to sneak a few sucker punches in on it's own. Great album, great rhymes, great beats. Long live Paul Revere! ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Simply Amazing
What can I say? Talib Kweli and Mos Def are meant to collaborate. Black Star is one of the greatest alliances in hip-hop. Their styles copmliment each other. They are both amazing lyricist, Talib Kweli especially. They both contribute amazing examples why hip-hop is real and they both tell stories through their mindblowing songs. The best song is by far "RE:Definition" I think Talib Kweli shines on that one. Other great songs are "Respiration" "Brown Skin Lady" and "Thieves in the Night" All songs are high quality. "Children's Story" is a nice play on Slick Rick's classic song. This is a classic, beginning to end.
I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this to any hip-hop fan looking for a change from their normal music. This album is like none other. I would also recommend 'Reflection Eternal' by Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek 'Quality' by Talib Kweli and 'Black on Both Sides' by Mos Def.

Some Blackstar Power For Ya!
The name Blackstar brings to mind notions of afrocentric pride. These notions are brought to fruition by messengers Mos Def & Talib Kweli. Mos Def was introduced on tracks by De La Soul and Da Bush Babees which placed him in line to carry on as part of the next generation in the Native Tongues movement. He joined up a long with Talib Kweli on Rawkus Records in the late 90's which was the spot for underground hip hop. Kweli although from Brooklyn is part of the Cincinnati based Wanna Battle Crew along with Rawkus mate Dj Hi-Tek and groups like Mood & Lone Catalysts. Together they come to form "Blackstar" bringing intelligent rhymes without going too far over your head, classic battle rap dexterity and uplifting messages. Backed by soulful production provided by Dj Hi-Tek, Shawn J. Period, Da Beatminerz and more. It'll be hard to find a more solid production squad on a single album backed with such equally pleasing emcees. Mos Def brings heat as arguably the stronger of the two with great lyrics, and his slightly West Indian tinged vocal style that dabbles in a sing-song ragga vibe at times. Talib also has a unique delivery & flow accompanied by his concrete lyrical prowess. These guys aren't your average hip hop clones. You can tell they have read a lot from their lyrics constantly dropping knowledge (their name was taken from a shipping company designed to repatriate blacks from America back to Africa), no wonder they own a bookstore. This is one of the finest releases in rap from anywhere in the later half of the 90's. So now I will show you what all the fuss is about....

Astronomy (8th Light) ~ From this opening song you get a good idea of the capable force on this album. Mos & Kweli trade off verses using "black" as a constant them throughout. The production is done by Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz with koldass cuts by Evil Dee on the plates. It is a funked out bass driven number. Late night koolin' out vibe with awesome word play.

Re: Definition ~ Lyrically this is in my opinion the strongest song on the album. Kweli opens up in a solid battle stance with flares of intelligent lines woven in. Mos' verse right after outshines him, the lyrics are fire, as well as his dope chorus. The beat is done by Dj Hi-Tek and has a real thumping bassline, hard rapid drums, light string arrangement and nice echo effect for a very dense sound. Sample of Mos Def's first verse:

"/What, lyrically handsome, call collect the king's ransom/
/Jams I write soon become the ghetto anthem/
/Way out like Bruce Wayne's Mansion, move like a phantom/
/You'll talk about me to your grandsons/"

Brown Skin Lady ~ One of the best love themed hip hop songs ever put together. Blackstar both drop clever heartfelt lyrics about the type of ladies they love a real positive approach to women that is both amusing and self depreciating. Mos is on the hook once again with some kool adlibbing at the end. J.Rawls of Lone Catalysts handles the beat with a solid drum and bass funky backing beat combined with nice acoustic guitar and vibraphone as well as the occasional kettle sound tossed in.

Respiration ft/ Common ~ The track opens up with a couple of dudes talking about cars. Then the beat comes in with a chick repeating something in what sounds like Spanish. Mos Def, Talib Kweli & Common on the same song spitting, doesn't get more ill than that. They all bust fuThieves In the Night ~ Perhaps the most intelligent song on the album. Kweli & Mos Def drop verses exposing the evils of today and the lies we all live in. The best hook on the album too. The production by 88 Keys is full of jazzy percussion and a beautiful key loop with interesting change ups.

One of the definitive rap releases of in recent memory. An album solidifying Rawkus as the primo underground label of the time period. Two emcees with great chemistry and original sound. They come together with a fantastic panel of producers and stand out guests. If you like intelligent and accessible lyrics with finely crafted beats, check this out. Hip Hop essential listening 4 stars! peace, love & soul...

Classic Hip-hop
Black Star is just such a nice album there is nothing else to say about it. Each track has knowledge droppin on it, my personal favorite is Thieves in the Night. Talib and Mos Def are a blessin to hip-hop. Classic.

Best Hip-Hop Album for the New Millenium
I don't care what Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Outkast, Eminem, Naz, Kanye West or anyone coast to coast says, Black Star's album is the best hip-hop album of the new millenium. There is not one whack lyric on the entire album. These brothers laid it down like no others in the past. They combine intelligent lyrics with a battle rap style that few MC's can match. Their versatility is boundless. It's a shame that this will be their only album together. I would love to have heard their underground hits. I rank this album as one of the baddest hip-hop albums ever.

Finally, an intelligent yet widely known rap LP.
Lately, hip-hop has been going to the dogs, with cash-oriented monkeys like 50 Cent or Chingy on top. I was watching Chappelle's show, and I heard Mos Def's song Don't Push Me, and it was great. Having already heard of him, and Kweli, I decided to try this album out. The only track I didn't love was Twice Inna Lifetime. Here's an overview of the best songs:

Astronomy (8th Light)-Great start to the album, a very catchy poetic black pride anthem. Me and my friend are now always like:
Ya know who else is a black star?/Who?/Me!/Ya know who else is a black star?Who?/Me!

Definition-I really love this song. It has a great Jamaican-sounding chorus and great poetic rapping again.

RE:Definition-Even stronger song than Definition, with a different sound.

Children's Story-An eye-opener about the commercialization of hip-hop.

Brown Skin Lady-Possibly the best song on the album. A slow, relaxing song about women. They have a respectful attitude about
women, and I'm not worried to play this around my parents.

KOS-Determination-It's just a great, uplifting song.

Hater Players-The hardest song on the album, also about commercialized rap.

Respiration-Up against Brown Skin Lady for best on the album. A gem about corruption in the city.

Thieves In The Night-Another relaxing gem, and the last great song on the album. Very intelligent and poetic.

Overall, if you don't have this album, buy it. Believe the hype. ... Read more

Album Description

Lovage is the supergroup of Mike Patton (Faith No More),Nathaniel Merriweather (Handsome Boy Modeling School),Jennifer Charles (Elysian Fields) & Kid Koala. Guestsinclude Damon Albarn, Africa Bambaata & Maseo (De La Soul)Chest Rockwell. Produced by Dan The Automator. Available on CD & 2LP from 75 Ark Entertainment. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Bizarre, but just dive in and you'll love it.
On this recording, Nakamura combines his hip-hop sensabilities with a lush-jazz orchestration that sounds like something out of Burt Bacharach or Serge Gainsbourg. Jennifer Charles' sexy sigh of a voice is the perfect complement for this sort of thing: she invests the songs with an over-the-top sensuality which is by turns hilarious and alluring. Mike Patton does a great job too- the Mr. Bungle frontman wisely restrains his voice to a seductive whisper on most of the tracks, and if he occasionally digs in and reminds the audience of his past experience (notably on 'Pit Stop'), that only adds to the music's superb sense of irony. Did I mention irony? The head over heels lushness of the music aside, there are bizarre sketches strewn throughout the album: excersises in sound collage which feature "well known sexperts" (to quote the liner notes) appearing to rant incoherently about socks or shilling for nonexistant cocktail mixers. What makes this recording a must-have, to my mind, is that despite the dripping irony the music is always catchy, often touching and sometimes downright compelling. Another reviewer questioned whether this album was a joke or not- a fair question. I think the stellar musicians involved with the project from top to bottom decided to have it both ways, and succeeded remarkably well.

You just can't go wrong w/ Patton......
Buy this album, now. Definitely one of the year's best by far. The mix of musical styles is brilliant, genius. The Automator proves once again that he is one of the most diverse musicians around. Mike Patton can sing anything and sound good, his vocal style is just amazing. He has range like no other! Everything he gets involved with is brilliant. The duets between him and Jennifer Charles are beautiful, seductive, funny and best of all straight raunchy sex. This album has got the chill groove down pat. I don't think that there is one bad track on the album. Excellent guest musicians, genius music you can't go wrong with.

Perfection
The Most AMazing Cd I have EVER HEARD ... ive had it in my disc changer for 3 years now and havent taken it out once ...

Really funny, Mike Patton's great, and music good
This is actually a really good album. Not just a novelty. I bought it because of Mike Patton, which there's not a whole lot of. Mike is great, the music is good, and there's lots of great comedy. It's definitely something that would be fun to listen to with other people. I haven't tried it, but it might also be good to make love to your old lady by.

Grrrr, baby, very grrrr
This album starts well and gets better as it goes. Patton & Jennifer Charles blend voices beautifully to create a sexy vibe. "Pit Stop" is among the best of this CD. Kid Koala shines on the track "Everybody Has A Summer." His scratching is smooth and makes this track worthwhile. The live show was incredible and the disc is amazing. A must have! ... Read more

Reviews (53)

A nice collection of hits.....
This disc is great for the person just discovering 311! All of the good hits are here....TRANSISTOR...DOWN...BEAUTIFUL DISASTER....and others. However, if you are a hardcore fan of 311 (like myself), you will still want to listen to the individual albums because their best songs were not released as singles. I am glad, though, that they did include the remake of the Cure's LOVE SONG on this CD as I just didn't have the heart to buy the 50 FIRST DATES soundtrack just for that song. And...what a nice remake they did at that! Way to go, guys! Like I said, it's a nice retrospective, but stick to the individual albums for optimum listening pleasure!

Everyone Should Stop Complaining
I wish people would stop whining about this album. Everyone person who's complaining about the track listing should actually look at the title. It's 311-Greatest Hits 93-03, not 311-Best of-93-03. Whoever wrote the review that stated that the band even posted the reason why this is not a greatest hit's album is obviously the only person who gets it. It would be impossible for 311 to gather songs for a Best Of compilation, because almost every 311 is great. Now, that being said, the 17 songs on this album(14 orginal, 1 cover, and 2 new songs) are great and, while they don't nessascarily capture the potential of 311, it offers a fantatic rock album that any true 311 fan, or a fan of rock music in general, can appreciate. So, if you can look past all the complaints you will discover a great album that is well worth it's price tag. Here's to 11 years of 311, and hopefully 11+ years to come.

Best Songs=Homebrew, Do You Right, First Straw, All Mixed Up, Love Song, Creatures(For Awhile), Beyond the Gray Sky

Damn Good Songs=Down, How Do You Feel, Beautiful Disaster, Flowing, Don't Stay Home, Amber, You Wouldn't Believe,

Okay Songs=Come Original, I'll Be Here Awhile, Transisitor

Greatest Hits, NOT Greatest Songs
If you are a die hard 311 fan, there is no point in buying this album. We all know theyre best songs do not become hits because theyre not poppy. This CD however does capture all the great songs that casual 311 listers would enjoy. I still love all the songs to death, but I prefer throwing all the 311 CDs in a disk changer and pressing shuffle. You can run that all day. My only true complaint about the CD is their single "First Straw" I gotta say, it sucks. My friends and I coulda sworn we heard it before, not a cover, just so formulated and poppy. I hope its not a sign of whats to come because I know theyre producer sucks and tried to mellow them out, look what hes doing to Pepper as well.

the best of the best
I just got back from an awesome concert put on by 311 today here in there hometown of omaha nebraska. it was a free concert for the city of omaha s 150th bithday. well they played a lot of the songs of this album, and in my opinion all their songs on all their albums are really good. Every album they have made is good, this is a good compilation for those who maybe havent heard the songs off of some of the earlier albums as well as their latest. Must have album the 311 live is another awesome compilation from them.

on the verge
The greatest hits of the greastest band? Yeah, true, but as a true fan I prefer the length albums better. This collection is good but I'm a bigger fan of some of their songs that weren't singles (ie Uncalm, Jack'o'lantern's Weather, Eons, etc.) . This is a good collection though for those of us who don't want to or are too lazy to constantly switch albums to hear one particular song. I wish the remix album would have been included, but that is just wishful thinking on my part. Anyway, as most 311 is one of the most original and diverse bands out there and they are only getting better so check this out if you have the chance. ... Read more

Amazon.com

More than a mere rap album, Mos Def's long-awaited The New Danger combines hip-hop, blues, soul, and rock in an 18-track package that seeks to transcend convention. In that sense, it shares a similar spirit with Andre 3000's The Love Below or Common's Electric Circus, with mixed results. Mos's reputation has been built on the strength of his lyrical charisma, and songs like "Close Edge," "Grown Man Business," and "Sunshine" show that his skills haven't faded just because he's Emmy-nominated. He's already proven that he can cut more than just street heat--best evinced on the soulful, poetic "Umi Says," a surprise hit from his previous release, 1999's Black on Both Sides. Yet, the rock- and blues-inspired songs here, while by no means poor, are acquired tastes, given their tendency to noodle--they simply can't compare with Mos's cutting verbal displays. The album's length and sometimes clunky sequencing can make for challenging listening, especially when so many of his more experimental cuts come early on. New fans might find the album's eclecticism intriguing, although older fans will likely be a bit perplexed. --Oliver Wang ... Read more

Amazon.com

Despite the number of guests on hand, Dr. Dre's decade-/century-/millennium-ending sequel to The Chronic is, like its predecessor, less a stack of posse cuts and more an elegantly seamless work from West Coast hip-hop's premier auteur. Deliberately cinematic in everything from its mix of moods to dramatic musical surges, 2001 is Dre's assessment of the gangsta life in medium shots. No longer fully immersed in violence and random sex, yet aware of their attraction, he often lets his guests blow steam about whatever's on their minds. When he takes stock of gangbanging circa late '99, though, he drops his neutral tone; he even provides another half-joking but stern warning to protégé Eminem on "What's the Difference." Between his discovery of Slim Shady, visits from old pal Snoop Dogg, and, most of all, the masterful sound and flow of this CD, Dre should shut down all talk of his supposed irrelevance. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (521)

Simply Awesome
The greatest thing about this CD are the many different rappers featured, nearly every song features somebody, that's amazing. I won't even name everyone, but you must know that's a great thing about the CD.
"The Watcher" tells us about how time flows in rap business, "F*** You" is a sexual song featuring Snoop Dogg and Devin The Dude, "Still D.R.E." tells us he hasn't changed since The Chronic CD, "What's The Difference" features Eminem and XZibit, the lyrics don't tell much, but it's a great song. "Forgot About Dre", featuring Eminem, has one of the best lyrics of this CD, "The Next Episode" features old friend Snoop Dogg, no need to say they both kick ass, "Let's Get High" is hot, "B**** N****" tells us a little about people in the streets, wrong people. Every track in here is highly enjoyable, but the best ones are above.
This CD has the Clean and the Instrumental version too, but the explicit one is obviously the best. Clean rap CDs aren't rap, you loose so many things during the Clean process...
Overall, this is one of the 10 best rap CDs ever, a must for any music fan, absolutely worth your money. Great beats, great lyrics. That makes a great CD.

WESSSSSSIDEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yo whut a way 4 the good doctor 2 come back 2 the game. he rilly didnt do much stuff after the chronic xcept w/ pac, scarface, rbx, the firm & king t. the guests on this album frum original chronic is snoop, kurupt, nate & kokane. he got big name guys 2 like eminem, xzibit, king t, devin, defari, mc ren, tray d & mary j. blige. He does 1 w/ her on the last song thats dedicated to his decesed bro. lord finesse co-produced it. the beats all bump like a '64 blue chevy impala on d's. the only bad thing is he has maybe 2 many new cats on there. hittman, knoc-turnal', 6-2 & time bomb are the best are the best 1's and so is the girl 2. i think they all rep cuz 2. the best skit wuz pause 4 porno w/ that guy jake steed. best songs r # 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19 & 21. theyre all good though xcept 4 maybe the watcher. eddie griffth is on some skits and hes funny and eminem's homeboy royce da 5' 9" along wit em, x, kurupt & jay-z all ghost write 2. mel-man co-produces the whole album...and its the best of the millenium. just wish daz & rbx were there.

Dr.Dre 2001
I think that this album is ok, but for sure, Dr.Dre can't touch Eazy E. I like the songs F*** You, Still Dre, and the next episode, but if you want some real gangsta rap, than just pick up an Eazy E album.

BEST DR. DRE !!!!!!!
this cd is wayyy better than chronic. a must-buy! songs 5-11 are my favorites.

it sucks
being a rapper myself, this cd is a piece of crap. if u listen close the lyrics and some of the old westside style beats are not even average. dr dre shouldnt of had so many guests (half of them cant rap). it shoulda just been him, snoop, nate, eminem, knockturnal and hittman. this is one of the worst albums i have ever heard. the lyrics are the weakest parts of the album. its a 1 outta 5. dont buy it. download the 6 good songs out of 23 off of kazaa or somethin. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Simultaneously serving as both endless fodder for intellectual debates and the album most likely to be blaring out of the adjacent car's window, All Eyez on Me is a phenomenon that packs a wallop with every listen. Unquestionably the most nihilistic album to top the Billboard charts--and it's doubtful that any will match it--Eyez also manages to dish out the good-times dance tunes and still flow seamlessly. Recording commenced within hours of Tupac Shakur's release from prison, and a year's worth of pent-up ideas are unleashed with a fury akin to lifting the lid on a box of plutonium. The line between high art and insufferable reality, possibilities and self-destruction, has never been so blurred. Eyez is a landmark achievement that is unlikely to be topped by any heir apparent to the hip-hop crown. --Gregg Turkington ... Read more

Reviews (188)

2pac is the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time).
Without question 2pac is the greatest rapper who has ever lived, if you weren't convinced by "Me Against The World" this album pretty much proves it. This is 2pac's most commercial album without question it produced 6 hit singles and sold millions of copies. There are also many underrated tracks on this album; Ambitionz Az A Ridah, Got My Mind Made Up, No More Pain, Only God Can Judge Me, Can't C Me, Holla At Me, Ratha Be Ya N..., All Eyez On Me, and Ain't Hard To Find. This would still be a great album even without the hit songs; All Bout U, How Do You Want It, 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted, Heartz Of Men, Life Goes On, California Love, I Ain't Mad At Cha, and Picture Me Rollin' all of which are featured on 2pac's "Greatest Hits". If you weren't keeping track that's 17 excellent songs, even the ones I didn't mention are still good. The production is great throughout the entire double disk set thanks mostly to Daz, Dr. Dre, and Johnny "J". There are also plenty of great guest artists; The Outlaws, Nate Dogg, Daz, Kurupt, Method Man, Redman, KC & Jo Jo, Snoop Dogg, Rappin' 4-Tay, Dr. Dre, Danny Boy, Big Syke, CPO, Richie Rich, E-40, B-Legit, and C-Bo. It's hard to say if this is indeed 2pac's best album, personally I like "Me Against The World" a tad bit more, but anyone who considers themselves a fan of Rap music should have this classic album.

All Eyes On Pac - Best Pac Album Ever
I Have Heard The Majority Of Pac albums and i would truly have to say that all eyes on me is the best one, this album feels so complete with only 2 or 3 fillers, but its 28 tracks were talking about. Disc 1 starts with Ambitionz as a ridha which is classical, with raw lyrics and beats. Then You Got some pretty west Side Material on this cd especially the great duo of pac and snoop in 2 of amerikaz most wanted and some very strong tracks, my favorite ones on disc 1 was Life goes on, Only God Can Judge Me, And my favorite is Trade war Stories. Great disc for Pac. Disc 2 is a continuation to this great album, Can't C Me, great opener, and Shorty Wanna be Thug probably my favorite and plus with songs like wonda why they call you B**** and Picyure me rollin makes it better, Also with tracks like Ratha be a Ni*** with a tight beat and All Eyes On Me is just Classical, It finishes off with a good track bout Heaven Aint Hard to Find. This Was the best Pac CD ever for me so get it right now.

One of the best rap albums.
I love this album, i think cd 2 is better than 1, but its all good. 2pac is one of my favorite rappers and i got to say this is his masterpiece. If you are going to buy any 2pac album i suggest you buy this or any of his other alive ones, his dead ones are good but his alive ones are the way he wanted them to be so they are the best, buy this or thug life volume 1. All the songs are good.

Very Good
All Eyez On Me is a really good cd. I found the cd inspiring and it influenced me to write lyrics of my own, because of its great tracks. On this one theres alot of songs that made it on the Greatest Hits cd, like "Life Goes on", "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" featuring Snoop Dogg, and "How Do U Want It" featuring Jojo of Kci and Jojo, and theres also alot more. And to me this is his best cd. It has good beats mixed by producers like Johnny J,Dr.Dre even produced one song called "Cant C Me", and great lyrics by the legendary Tupac Amaru Shakur.

All Eyez On 2Pac
This is an awesome album! "All About U" is one of the most awesome songs I have heard in my entire life. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, KC & Jo-Jo, and many more artist's voices can be heard on this album. 2Pac was, and is always going to be one of the greatest. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Their remake of "Killing Me Softly" was the hit, but that's only the beginning of the story. A hip-hop trio whose talents reach out into the world of the pop song (Wyclef Jean is a fine guitar player, and Lauryn Hill's a heck of a singer), the Fugees are also all distinctive, inventive rappers--you find yourself waiting for each of them to take the next verse in turn. The beats are the familiar crossed-armed boom-bip, but the group's understated grooves and subtle effects lie low in the mix. Aside from two kicky covers of classics (the other is Marley's "No Woman, No Cry"), The Score'sfocus is on the stars' rhyming with the free-form grace of performance poets and showing that they've thought deeply about the issues they raise. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (60)

"It's Time To Settle The Score!"
What can I say? The Score by the Fugees was definitely their best effort. While the group soon split up and the members, with the exception of Lauryn, tried to capture the Fugees' formula with less success, The Score still stands the test of time. On this release, the Fugees matured from Blunted On Reality and became much more focused. The beats are interesting relying on nice drum and bass lines mixed with reggae, soul, and lots of hip-hop flavor. The lyrics are very good, and the group seems very confident and relaxed when it comes to the delivery. Check out the classic "Fu-Gee-La," the Diamond produced title track, and the posse cut "Cowboys" featuring members of the Outsidaz. And of course, the two cover tunes work. Lauryn proves she is a great singer on "Killing Me Softly" while the "No Woman, No Cry" cover adds a new twist to the classic Bob Marley song. The only low points with this album might be the skits which can get monotonous and stupid after a while. Otherwise, The Score definitely deserves a listen.

A 5 Mic classic according to the Source and Me
This one was a massive comercial sucess in 1996 here is the song
by song review of the Fugees score album.
2.How many Mics-Classic freestyle joint like for Supernat this is not as good as those versions but it is very tight 10/10
3.Ready are Not-One of my favorite rap songs 10/10
4.Zealots-Early 60s 10/10
5.The Beast-Great Produced Album this is tight 10/10
6.Fu Gee La-I was always a fan of the Fugees this tight 10/10
7.Family-They did great on this album 10/10
8.Killing me Softly-Hip Hop Soul classic 10/10
9.The Score-Carribean feel I did not no Pras was this tight 10
10.The Mask-This albums got it all rap-hip hop-raggae not his usual stuff and also Soul 10/10
11.Cowboys-this is pretty raw all of it MCs 10/10
12.No Women Cry-I guess a cover 10/10
13.Manifest-I love the Carribean feel to this album 10/10
16.Mista Mista-Accoustic Guitar pretty tight 10/10
This Album sounds great I have been sleeping.
Lyrics 10/10 Production 10/10 X Factor 10/10 Style 10/10 Voice10

Music 10/10 Innovative 10/10 Classic 10/10 Guest 10/10 Blends 10
Overall 100 This album sounds completely Masterpiece the Source
was good for giving the Fugees there respect they deserve this is a 5 Mic Classic wich is *****Classic

This Is Hip-Hop
"The Score" is one of those unique albums that can never be outdone. Wyclef Jean, Pras, and Lauryn Hill all work together in giving us this classic sophmore album. Guest appearences by John Forte(a member of the Refugee Family), Tha Outsidaz(Rah Digga, Young Zee, Pacewon), Diamond-D, and Omega all do well, but it's really the main trio that make this album great. Wyclef's crazy flow, Pras' laidback rhyming, and Lauryn's angellic voice bring a beautiful flava to this LP that no one else could've done. "How Many Mics" is an example of all three members rhyme skills, especially Pras' who spits, ("too many MC's not enough mics, exit your show like I exit the turnpike"). "Ready or Not" is one of my all time favorite songs, because of the cool beat and the memorable last lines of Wyclef Jean("I think not I'll send a letter to my friends, a born again hooligan only to be king again") and Lauryn's opening line("I play my enemies like a game of chess") and lastly Pras' opening("ready or not refugees taking over"). "Zealots" is a well made song in which Wyclef sings the hook and Lauryn teaches Hip-Hop physics over an amazing beat. But it is Pras who delivers the best lyrical verse("I compress sound sets with my rap DBX, then drop vocals on my 456MPEX, bring terror to the shop of horror, as you cry meamore, the phantom dies in the opera"). "The Beast" is a weirder song and not one of my favorites, though it is not to be skipped. "Fu-Gee-La" is another favorite of mine because of its Caribbean lyrics and beat, and amazing chrorus by Lauryn. "Family Business" is a sad song but another great one with guest rappers Omega and John Forte, rhyming over a frantic beat with a verse surprisingly by Pras(it's the only chorus he does on the whole album). "Killing Me Softly" is a solo song by Lauryn Hill who remakes the song with a Hip-Hop groove. "The Score" is quite simply a lyrical song, produced and guest featuring Diamond-D, the trio drop some of their best rhymes in between a scratched hook. "The Mask" is another good song, with a great chorus and verses. "Cowboys" is the gangsta western song featuring Tha Outsidaz. The mix of Carribean rhymes and hardcore rap is amazing and turns out good, even with the oh-lae-he chorus by Wyclef. "No Woman, No Cry" is another remake, this time of Bob Marley's classic song(Wyclef solo). "Outro(Manifest)" isn't an outro but another real lyrical song where you can actually hear the anger in the trio's voices. The first and best remix of "Fu-Gee-La" is the last great song on the album. The final remix of the song isn't very memorable and not one of my favorites. The final song "Mista, Mista" is very confusing. It's a sad song but you can't help laughing at the constant cussing through the whole song.

The main point is that "The Score" is one of the many classic rap albums of the 90's and was very groundbreaking, because it brought Hip-Hop to the entire world. If you like this album go pick up the trio's solo albums:

*Wyclef Jean- "The Carnival"
*Lauryn Hill- "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill"
*Pras- "Ghetto Supastar"
*Wyclef Jean- "Ecleftic: 2 Sides 2 A Book"
*Wyclef Jean- "Masquerade"
*Wyclef Jean- "The Preacher's Son"

The Fugees are broken up now, but they will always be remembered as one of the greatest and most creative rap group of all time.

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ONE OF THE BEST !
The Fugees are definitely the most complete group of all times. TLC, WuTang, etc all are real good groups, however The Fugees integrated every form of music into rap and made hiphop globally respected. Their themes and videos were the best of all times. The Score is really a street classic. From " Ready or not", cowboys, "the beast". Everything is tight. Lauryn is fascinating though. She really makes fugees what it all is. their breakup is a great loss to the enrichment of hiphop.

The Score [EXPLICIT LYRICS]
The Score [EXPLICIT LYRICS]~ The Fugees is avery good album with great fun and good lyrics. Hill is a good singer and the other guys prevent her from getting to cynical and boring which is her tendency otherwise. A very good album and one should buy it ... Read more

Amazon.com

This debut revolutionized hip-hop (and launched half a dozen solo careers), as much for The RZA's raw barrage of off-kilter, off-key loops and sound effects as for its elliptically violent lyrics. Martial arts--at least as they appear in kung fu movies--are the Wu-Tang Clan's favorite metaphor, but they're also the organizing principle of the group, a crowd of eight rappers, each with his own way-out-there "fighting style." They created their own little self-contained culture, with its own symbols and shifting identities, and let listeners figure it out for themselves. Unless you're willing to immerse yourself in its world, it can be baffling and a little dry, but its aggression and originality are undeniable. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (218)

My Favorite Rap Album Of All-Time
This is without a doubt the best album found in hip-hop today. This is also the LP that inspired me to be a rapper. Some of the hardest and best metaphors can be found on this one CD. (I developed my style from this LP.) What I like about this CD is that every member of Wu has his well-deserved shine. All of these songs can be considered calssics. Wu-Tang has always been my favorite group. A group that has Method Man, GZA, RZA, Inspectah Deck & Ghostface Killah must be the greatest of all-time. A group that has these 5 lyricists AND produces hit after hit; hot album after hot album is definitly somewhat sacred. The top songs on this cut are C.R.E.A.M., Method Man, Can It All Be So Simple, Protect Ya Neck & Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin Ta [Mess] Wit. If you don't have this LP, then your life just isnt complete. Below is my track rating (1-5):

Track 1 - 5
Track 2 - 4.5
Track 3 - 5
Track 4 - 4.5
Track 5 - 5
Track 6 - 5
Track 7 - 5
Track 8 - 5+++
Track 9 - 5+++
Track 10 - 5+++

Track 11 - 5
Track 12 - 4.5

Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
In a world where every hip-hop album is a classic, the Wu-Tang Clan's 1993 debut would still stand apart from the rest.
On the surface the drawing point is the stripped down and basement-raw production; complete with kung-fu samples, thumping drums and piano loops...a complete contrast to the gangsta-funk dominating the radio at the time.
But the real gem here is the individual appeal of eight completely different and instantly recognizable mcs each bringing their own unique sound to the table.
At the top you have Method Man's straight-blunted charisma, ODB's insane rambling and Ghostface's high pitched slang. You get a dose of Raekwon's rapid-fire pitch followed by GZA's slow and calculated wordplay. Inspectah Deck is an mc's mc, while RZA's wicked flow goes straight for the throat and U-God's gruff voice assaults the track.
All-killer, no-filler...there is something on here for every rap fan, from underground to commercial.

best wu cd
This CD is impeccable. Except for that one idiot who's claiming 50¢ is the greatest, i think we all agree that this cd is nearly flawless. I'd say that every track is the best song on the cd. I highly reccomend this is your a wu fan at all, and if youre not, you should probably buy it and give it to someone who is, therefore making their life complete.

A Classic Legendary Album
Even if you are not really into this kind of hip hop, you will still probably enjoy this album. Its just quality and original. And it is also historically signficant, and spurned the many solo projects of Wu Tang members, and even led to many TV and movie appearances (Method Man in How High and Method & Red; Raekwon in Black & White)

On the other hand, it shoudl have had more tracks. I mean, after all, with all those Wu Tang memebrs, do you mean to tell me that they could only come up with like a dozen songs?

Great album
rapstar400reviews:

Enter the Wu-Tang(36 Chambers):

I love rap. But Wut Tang is garbage. With high expectations I heard this album, and im like WTF is this. its trash, pure trash. the beats are horrible, and the lyrics are too.

W U T A N G S T I N K S B A D L Y.

Get Rich or Die Tryin:

1st off this album is NOT A 3.5. You stupid rap haters, if u dont like rap DONT WRITE A FRIGGIN REVIEW!!! Also, 50 might not be that underground garbage yall "REAL" hip hop fans listen to but admit it, he knows how to make a song.
In Da Club- A PLUS
Dont Push Me- ft. Lloyd Banks, Eminem- A+
Many Men- A+
Patiently Waiting-A+
If I Cant- A+
PIMP- B
Wanksta- A+
21 Question- ft. Nate Dogg- A+

PLEASE GIMME A BREAK!!! In my opinion, this album is the Doggystyle of this generation of rap. A rapper with alot of Charisma, and energy, BLOWING THE F UP!!!!!!!!

My review:

I don't find words to explain how ignorant this so called rap or hip-hop fan is.Please learn about hip-hop and then write reviews.Or stick listening to your crappy commercial poppy beats of Fiddy Cent.Learn about hip-hop and then come and speak.You ignorant f*ck.You say the underground its garbage.Keep listening to you Britney Spears hip-pop "artists".Ignorant f*ck.The people who give 1 star to 50 cent are not rap haters.They are true hip-hop heads.And 50 does not make his own beats.Stupid.How can you call yourself hip-hop fan and say wu its garbage.Ok it may not be your style but don't call them garbage.Ignorant stupid person.You don't know anything about hip-hop. ... Read more

Album Description

While Edan’s critically acclaimed debut, ‘Primitive Plus’, was a celebration of Hip-hop’s golden age and a true throwback, his sophomore album, ‘Beauty And The Beat’, is a vast musical collage that contains many different influences; Hip-hop, rock, pop, dusty breaks, hazy loops, luxurious off-kilter samples and curveball tempo changes that are all crafted into one cohesive piece of art. Edan’s vast lyrical imagination and technical wizardry (he also self-produced every track) alone make ‘Beauty And The Beat’ a standout. The album’s lead-single ‘Fumbling Over Words That Rhyme’, a track which true Hip-hop enthusiasts and historians will not only appreciate, but ultimately debate is a perfect sample of what ‘Beauty And The Beat’ has to offer. ‘Smile’ is a gripping behind the scenes look at a successful yet internally tormented star. ‘Promised Land’ - the symbolism of imagination and its power to overcome all that is perilous with positivity, patience and understanding show how Edan has progressed both artistically and as an individual. Check out ‘Rock And Roll’ for a heavy hitting beat and ‘Torture Chamber’ for amazing mic skills. Features Mr Lif (Def Jux) , Percee P (Stones Throw), Dagah and Insight. The double vinyl version a US pressed, thick vinyl, in a shrink wrapped ‘old style’ ‘60’s heavy card jacket. Edan will be deejaying at Fabric on February 4th and touring the UK in March. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

PSYCHEDELIC OLD SKOOL ECHOPLEXXED FRESHNESS
The seamless melding of psychedelia, old skool sonics, fresh beats, surreal rhymes, and Echoplexx. Edan Portnoy (Boston's Edan) has crafted a masterpiece. This is the best and most cohesive Hip Hop album I have heard since Madvillany. Equal parts Prince Paul, Brian Wilson, Ultramagnetic, and George Martin-esque hazy psychedelic soundscapes. This is a timeless release that only gets better with successive listens. I have heard some people deride this album due to it's length. However, is it not better to have a flawless 36 minute album then an overblown 70 minute opus in which half of the tracks are unlistenable garbage?
Edan has really elevated his production on this gem. As usual his rhymes are on-point, fresher with each successive listen. Edan is part of that rare unique class of true hip hop scientists, in that he is equally adept at rhyming, production, and DJing (an increasingly rare breed these days). It's so refreshing to hear a true Hip Hop album, and not some computer produced garbage full of empty lyrics, throw away beats, obnoxious choruses, and R&B schmaltz.
This album starts out with a dope intro giving a little indicator as to the sonics that await. The sound is much lusher and fuller than on previous Edan releases, utilizing warm samples, Echoplex, mini-moog, fat breaks, and the ill construction. 'Funky Voltron' with Insight kicks the album off proper with a 1988-style Ultramagnetic sounding beat backing the seamless interplay of Edan & Insight. 'I See Colours' is a lovely shout-out to D.A.I.S.Y. Age Prince Paul flawlessly constructed. Following this, 'Fumbling Over Words That Rhyme', is Edan's history lesson to new Hip Hop students.
The second half of this album is where Edan really shines. So many Hip Hop releases these day are so top heavy, featuring mostly throw away tracks rounding out the album. This is constructed much more like a Classic Rock album, with songs flowing into each other, creating a virtual suite of hazy psychedelic hip hop. Starting with track 6 (Torture Chamber) through the final track, this album flows together possibly better than any side of Hip Hop I have ever heard. It is so hazy, echoed-out, dusted, yet cohesive. The song construction and lyrical display are close to flawless. 'Making Planets' is an incredible track (it could be longer). 'Rock and Roll', 'Beauty', and 'The Science of the Two' constitute a mind-blowing slab of Hip Hop that literally could've been recorded in the late 60's by forward thinking funk aliens coming to enlighten Our Planet. Do yourself a favor and check out this amazing release and listen to it a few times before making any decisions about it...

never say a rhyme that's less that HOOPIN'!!
this should get 11 thumbs/stars/mics, its really that great. super-groundbreaking, funky as hell but spaced out like some kind of hiphop version of the last scene in 2001: a space odyssey... Edan is the perennial all rounder, making beats, rapping, and doing cuts for the whole thing..

my only qualms with this are A) - what took you so long to put this out!?!? and B) - its too short. haha. small things really. honestly you can listen to this 2, 3 times through without skipping a track. a VERY rare thing in this day and age.

guest appearances by mr lif, insight, dagha and the always dope percee P, complete the picture... and what a wonderfully surreal picture it is... GET THIS!

Edan The Throwback Golden Age Hip-Hop King
"Beauty and the Beat" takes you back to the era when Hip-Hop and Pop were still miles apart and not molded into something unrecognisable and dumb like today."Beauty and the Beat" could have easily been recorded in the early to mid '90s and if this album was released back then I think Edan would have had little trouble holding his ground.In a time like this when all around music fans with good taste have become desperate it shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel after all!

old school meets new concepts
Edan has created something special here.Though he obviously has a great respect of old school forms, this album is by no means a retread.The freshness of Beauty and the Beat becomes apparent immediately and it sustains throughout.

The comparisons to the Beastie Boys and Madvillain seem a bit out of place, though if you're a fan of either you'll most likely enjoy this album.I get more of a feel of the lyrical power from 36-Chambers Wu Tang on top of Beck's use of multi-genre sampling from his early days and it works from start to finish.Very crisp, seamless flow track to track with none drawn out longer than necessary.

It's a shame that the album doesn't have a wide release yet, because I don't see any rap albums topping this one in 2005.

Hip-Hop with no formula - a very evolved ill-communication
All you need to know about this Edan CD is that it is, literally, hip-hop with no formula. For someone who has never heard this album, think the Beastie Boys, "Ill Communication" on LSD. Edan had to be smoking something on every track he produced because the production on this CD is pretty mind-blowing. He has a raw funk sample and moog synth, and him and fellow Boston rapper Insight just RIP the second track.
There are also highlight tracks like "Smile," and "Promised Land." In "smile," he virtually spins a highly distored vinyl backwards, loops it, adds effects, and raps for a minute and a half straight, no hooks, chorouses, nothing. Just straight RAWNESS over a reversed sample.
In "promised land," I know Edan takes a sample from an Isreali song, not revealing the sample until the end of the track, and inbetween each loop of the sample, he repeats the last line and starts another verse, out of the blue. Again, amazing arrangement.
In case you don't have Primitive Plus, Edan is one of those crazy MC's that is underground for a reason. He is a very aquired taste. But once you get the taste aquired, especially with this album, it is very refreshing knowing there is at least one MC other than maybe some artists in Quannum that can evolve even the most traditional underground rap formulas. ... Read more

Amazon.com

50 Cent is now a full two dollars, according to pop culture exchange rates. His sheer influence on music charts, and thugs hearts, changed things. So why then on Massacre is the 'hood drama that one would think he'd want to leave behind even more front-and-center than on Get Rich or Die Tryin'? It's hard to say, but 50's developed a questionable gun fetish here. With firearms plastered all over the liner notes, and throughout most of his lyrics--on "In My Hood" he retorts "…I don't go nowhere without my strap"--apparently his nouveau rich status has only accelerated the number of enemies he's accumulated. On "I'm Supposed to Die Tonight" he even awkwardly forecasts Notorious B.I.G.-like, Tupac-ian rap game death scenarios. "Piggy Bank," a virtual diss fest further cements his "How to Rob" persona as Nas and Fat Joe get the lyrical smack down; so does A-list actor Vivica Fox ("Get In My Car") for even daring to consider their rendezvous to be anything more than a fling. Despite beat contributions from Aftermath hombres (Eminem, Dr. Dre), some of the better beats come courtesy of lesser-known beatsmiths like Disco D ("Ski Mask Way") and the always consistent Hi-Tek, whose "Ryder Music" is a sick concoction of keys and haunting vocals. At 22 tracks (with no inane interludes), it's worth the loot, but it doesn't cover up 50's artistic regression since Get Rich. --Dalton Higgins

Co-Conspirators' Greatest Hits

The Eminem Show, Eminem	The Chronic, Dr. Dre	Olivia, Olivia
The Slim Shady LP, Eminem	Hi-Teknology, Hi-Tek	Straight out tha Trunk, Disco D

... Read more

Reviews (25)

Ok ... He's Got Some Talent
I am a Gen-Xer who grew up with Rap and Hip Hop ... and while I am sick to death of these artists exploiting black women in their songs and videos I will say that there are a few of these folks who have tremendous talent.50 cent is one of them.I don't always agree with what they say in their songs, but I can tell who's got game and who doesn't.50 cent is all over it.

OKAY I guess
Lets all just face it. All you people tricking yourselves stop . 50 cent stinks at rapping the music is okay and the beats are great but 50 just is not good. His rhymes are very weak and ... well he isn't very good. Peace.

hot album
i love this album! it is fun and a litte hatey but still the songs are creative and dancable.How can you resist candy shop,disco inferno, and The fun songs on this album. Also the adition of olivia a female vocalist was great. Betweeen fifty"s abs on the cover and the cool songs this cd is a must buy.

Wanna listen to music worth under 50 cents?
To be quite honest, if I could rate the album at 0 that would be my #1 option.
No offense 50 Cent, but u need to find a new job - advising people on what cars they should buy, or advising celebrities in movies on how to throw money in the air or working at a candy shop. There, you can let girls lick ur lollipop without having it told to 50 million MTV viewers.

The hype of excitement and anticipation put on the album was the only thing that got it this far. The quite lame lyrics and derogatory and sick statements such as 'I'll let u lick the lollipop' on 'Massacre' are hopefully going to make people realize that not much has changed about 50 Cent since his debut 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'' album, which will hopefully also lead them to realize that 50 Cent is a WASTE OF MONEY!

So basically what I'm trying to tell those reader's is that you should save you're money (and ears).

not even 1 star
weeeeaaaaakk.. and i'm not a hater either.
sold this weak album on hype alone.. nothing great or even OK on this coaster.. the rest of the g-unit put out waaay better product than massacre.
and anyone giving this 5 or even 4 stars.. c'mon.. get off the nuts already. ... Read more