Album Description

Contains bonus DVD featuring a 15 minute long 3D short horror film based upon the single "Bowling Balls." The album's packaging will also contain a pair of 3D glasses. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Review
This was a nice cd. I would reccomend it for all music lovers. It has R&B, pop, rock, rap, country, and even opera. My favorites are Iris, Ray Of Light, You're Still The One, Doo Wop (That Thing), Torn, Save Tonight, and Lullaby.

1.The Boy Is Mine-Brandy/Monica (from Brandy's Never S-A-Y Never and Monica's The Boy IS Mine) Nice R&B. Catchy.5/5

2.My Heart Will Go On (Titanic love Theme)-Celine Dion (from the soundtrack to Titanic and Let's Talk About Love) Good ballad. Better `then everyone says.4/5

3.Iris-Goo Goo Dolls (from the soundtrack to City Of Angels and Dizzy Up The Girl) Cool pop/rock song. I love it! I bought Dizzy Up The Girl because of this.5/5

4.Ray Of Light-Madonna (from Ray Of Light) Nice dance song.5/5

5.You're Still The One-Shania Twain (from Come On Over) Nice country/pop song. Catchy.5/5

6.Everybody(Backstreet's Back) (from Backstreet Boys) Nice dance song. Another catchy song.5/5

7.Amor Ti Vieta-Andrea Bocelli (from Aria) Good for an opera song.4/5

8.Wide Open Spaces-Dixie Chicks (from Wide Open Spaces) Nice for country music. Kind of catchy.4/5

9.Doo Wop (That Thing)-Lauryn Hill (from The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill) Lauryn has a lot of potential as a rapper. Catchy.5/5

10.Torn-Natalie Imbruglia (from Left Of The Middle) Great song.5/5

11.Save Tonight-Eagle-Eye Cherry (from Desireless) Good song. I bought Desireless because of this. It's different from the rest of Desireless.5/5

12.My Father's Eyes-Eric Clapton (from Pilgrim) Nice ballad. Catchy.4/5

13.Anytime-Brian McKnight (from Anytime) Good R&B.3/5

14.Lullaby-Shawn Mullins (from Soul's Core) All right! Battles Iris and Torn for best of album. I bought Soul's Core from this. Main reason I bought this album.5/5

15.You Were Meant For Me-Sting (from the soundtrack for The Object Of My Affection) HORRIBLE ballad. Skip this track.1/5

I hope you enjoyed my review. I suggest buying this album real soon. The only bad song is You Were Meant For Me. The rest are 3/5 or above. I think the winner for Record Of The Year should be Madonna or Shania Twain. I think the winner for Best New Artist should be the Backstreet Boys. I think the winner for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance should be Shawn Mullins or Eagle-Eye Cherry.

Unbelievably Extraordinary!
If you've read my reviews of the other Grammy Nominees CDs, then you know that I am generally a fan of these compilations. This CD proves no exception. However, this one is countless times superior to the best of the first four.

The nominees for Record of the Year again prove to be the best of the best songs heard over the past year. Brandy and Monica's "The Boy is Mine" was a huge hit (When did you NOT hear it?) and Celine's "My Heart Will Go On" was, modestly, quite successful. The Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" was a hit on the rock circuit and Madonna's "Ray of Light" was a smash for pop music. And "You're Still the One" became Shania Twain's country-pop crossover hit.

In the Best New Artist category, there were some surprises and some deservers. The Backstreet Boys were, indeed, a surprise nominee in this category, since they've been famous in Canada since 1996. Andrea Bocelli and the Dixie Chicks well deserve their nominations, since their respective songs "Amor ti vieta" and "Wide Open Spaces" were highly enjoyable, extraordinary songs. The Fugees' Lauryn Hill scored a smash with her "Doo Wop (That Thing)" and one-hit-wonder Natalie Imbruglia was a, indeed, a wonder nevertheless, with her "Torn".

Three newcomers went against two returning hitmakers in the Best Male Pop Performance category. Eagle-Eye Cherry's "Save Tonight" is an exceptional song that was in major circulation on the airwaves. Brian McKnight and Shawn Mullins became famous with their respective "Anytime" and "Lullaby". Eric Clapton's "My Father's Eyes" is a succulent upbeat-yet-sad hit and Sting's "You Were Meant For Me" is a beautiful, powerful ballad.

This is a high-quality CD that you definitely should not miss out on.

Good Pop
The Grammy CD has always been like a "Now" for adults, but this one is more pop than usual. Shania Twain, Natalie Imbruglia, Backstreet Boys, and Lauryn Hill offer up enough pop for everyone, and in many forms. More mature singers such as Sting, Shawn Mullins, and Eric Clapton actually take a back seat on this album. Alternate Reality.

MUST for Valentine, still in 2002
Valentine MUST from Peach Pit Club/LA,
still brings deep pain in my chest.
Boys may drink deep with this song.
I hope "Ray Of Light" will bring lovers
happiness forever.

Good Grammy CD
This 1999 Grammy album is probably my next favorite, because of just 2 songs on in which thank God were back-to-back of the tracking of the CD. "Ray OF Light" by Madonna which also has a great video, and "You're Still The One" by Shania Twain were the best songs on this CD, of course when you add a Madonna song to any album it gets so much better, just look at the 2001 grammy album, but there are other winners here, "Wide Open Spaces"(Dixie Chicks), and "Everybody"(BackStreet Boys), also "The Boy Is Mine"(Brandy/Monica), but there are others that should not be on here example "LuLlaby"(Shawn Mullins)" which is not even to me a song, all it is, is a poem he doesn't even sing in it not to mention it is one of the most nauseaing songs ever. Another is "Save Tonight"(Eagle Eye One Hit Wonder Cherry") another annoying song, doesn't it seem like the radio plays the most annoying song too much like the last two mentioned, anyway besides those two duds the CD is a winner. ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Worth The Wait
This album took forever to come out, but it was worth the wait. Del once again proves that he is one of the most underrated MC's out there. The production has a futuristic feel and isn't bad at all. Del did most of the production himself, but the guest producers (Prince Paul, El-P, Domino, Casual, etc.) stand out. While there are many excellent tracks such as the humorous "If You Must..." and the El-P-produced "Offspring", the tracks "Catch All This" and the A-Plus-produced "Stay On Your Toes" fail due to terrible beats. Overall, if you want lyrics, you should look no further than Both Sides Of The Brain.

Del is a crazy MC.
Despite what other may think, I believe Del is one of the finest MC's to touch a mic. There was a 1 star review on here that said Del rhyming is like "cat" and "hat" - your terribably mistaken. Del is far from that. His rhyming scheme is complex, and somehow he makes it flow very goood. You know who rhymes like "cat" and "hat" ? 50 cent. THAT is a simple rhyme scheme - hell, half the time he uses the same word to rhyme his words.

People say the production on this album sucks, because it sounds to "digitalised" or "futuristic" but I don't think so - or maybe I just like it. His beats are an aquired taste - that takes a few listens to get into them.

"Pet Peeves" is my favorite track on this album. The bassline is so dope - and overall it's just an intense track. I don't know who Del is dissin' - but whoever it was, del ripped him a new one. It's basically a 7 min diss song that goes through 3 phases. Totally insane. The EL-P produced track is also insane. El-P supplies a pretty basic beat, but the faded bassline is totally sick. Perfect beat to kick a freestyle on. "Catch All This" is a cool track, the beat is up-tempo and has a dance feeling. I like it a lot.

Anyways, not a whole lot to say.. just a great CD. If your new to Del, download the tracks I talked about to see if you like em - this isn't one of those CD's I would just jump out and by - because quite honestly, this CD gets mixed reviews from all types of people. So just sample it, then support the man by buying it (if you like it)

DEL OR GOD OF MC'ING
Since ive been listening to del i thought he was one of the most talented mcs but this cd is on another level . Really there is only one track i dont rock . This cd is amazing . Pick it up if your into real hip hop or just want to hear something different than what ur used to . D-E-L yall '

best thing since sliced bread
Del brings it so tight on his 4th album its scary with amazing lyricism and a unqiue and powerful production style. Along the way dell pays out fake as F**k emcess, talks about the state fo hiphop, talks about the dangers of drink driving and even raps about video games. all the prodtcuion from del's to el-p's is insane with hiphop so fresh it will shame tictaks. Del come on withthe best lyrics i have ever heard... truly a hiphop must have. personally i like this album more then the execelent deltron 3030. Bsotb is a great album and one of the very few albums that will make you praise the growund the artist walks on ... GO BUY THIS NOW
"I'm daffed I battle all like I don't have it all Avant-garde
Battlestar Galactica
Got rhymes per capita I'm shining through the aperture
But I'm not gonna bust no caps for ya (nah)
That's another genre
I'm the black bomber
Track charmer
Sack burner
Distract burdens
If it ain't that urgent
Nerve prints
Word sentinel invisible infidel interstellar
Hella clever
Endeavors immeasurable
With only heaven to go incredible"- press rewind

Hiphop excelence
Both sides of the brain is an amazing hiphop album, not only is it fresh and orginal it has some of the best lyricism from del and any other emcee. The album has a very unique style of production that may take some less experimental listeners a few listens to get into but after that the album really shines and shows its unique take on hiphop. dels got some of his best ryhmes on this album with his amazing flow and poweful voice. every song on the album is awesome to listen to and there is only one song where the album even remotely lags, a great tribute to hiphop and a must have for hiphop fans ... Read more

Amazon.com

Kool Keith, aka Black Elvis, Dr. Octagon, Poppa Large, Dr. Dooom, and about a dozen personae, got his start with the Bronx-based Ultramagnetic MC's in the mid-1980s. Although revered, their recordings made little commercial impact and the group disbanded. Since then Keith has enigmatically swung from project to project, maintaining a deliberately inscrutable cloak of aliases and alter egos. The result is a catalog that is high in concept, broad in scope, and completely, utterly wacky: it's hip-hop as Darius James writes novels and Terry Gilliam makes films. Only a few other artists--Definition of Sound and Divine Styler most notably--have ever come close to achieving similar results. Judging from the results of this recording, one of Keith's more straight-ahead, more rappers should try. On Lost, Keith's rhymes are unpredictable, obscure, and hilarious. On "Static," he somehow rhymes Benjamins with basketball star Scottie Pippen, (ex-NFL quarterback Mark) Rypien, and 1960s boxing champ Sonny Liston; elsewhere he namechecks 1970s journeymen basketballers Darnell Hillman and Slick Watts. He's critical of hip-hop pretension on many tracks, most notably "I Need a Release Date." Although the recording features a solid, contemporary bounce, Keith is completely old school--it's his whimsical words and unique delivery that matter most. --Martin Johnson ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Can someone say 5 stars.......
Kool Keith is without a doubt the most original emcee to bless the hip-hop community and probably always will be. On the album Black Elvis Kool Keith proves he is a artist with much potential. This album could have been much more successful if Sony would have advertisted and promoted this album more than what was done.

Black Elvis Lost In Space is nothing less than classic. How could you disagree? No this is no Octagon, no this is no Dooom, but this is the Black Elvis which in my opinion is right up there with Dooom and Octagon. Many others debate the idea the alter ego of Black Elvis is just as creative or original as his other personas. I look at Black Elvis as being his most original and best alter ego, BUT not his best flow.

There is not one track that needs to be skipped here when giving a good listen. When I first heard this album I knew right away this was going to be a banger for extreme hip-hop heads. All tracks shine with ultra flamboyance and color.

Intro: +++++ (all of Keith's intros are classic)
Lost In Space: ++++ (strange, spaced out to the max)
Rockets on the Battlefield: +++++ (the world just isnt ready)
Livin Astro: ++++ (space funk for the masses)
Supergalactic Lover: +++++ (smoothest track ever from Keith)
Master of the Game: ++++ (Down South flow but catchy)
I'm Seein Robots: +++ (Keepin hood rats in check)
Static: ++++ (Sadat X & Keith make close to classic cut)
Intro 2: (no rating) (Kid Kapri gives props to Keith)
Black Elvis: +++++ (the Rock Star no doubt)
Maxi Curls: ++++ (the imgaination of Kool Keith is beyond me)
Keith Turbo: ++++ (sick instrumental, sick lyricist)
Fine Girls: ++++ (shows why Keith is multi-talented)
Girls Dont Like the Job: ++++ (Keith aka Mr Wall Street)
Clifton: ++++ (Keith & Motion put it down with their ill flows)
All the Time: +++++ (no emcee can match this man's flow)
I Dont Play: +++ (mixed feelings)

This album is looked upon a lot of Keith fans are being garbage, and in a way I can see where you are coming from. Personally Keith really doesn't care for this album either, but I'm sure he knows this album is classic in its own way. I look at this album being beyond classic not because I am a huge Keith fan but because it really is. If you have other Keith albums and are skeptical about picking this one up, don't be give it a try. Trust me its worth more than your average hip-hop album. If you are reading this and don't own any Keith albums, then do yourself a favor and get this.

Disappointed, but entertained
A disappointment, though an entertaining one. Black Elvis attempts to merge the sci-fi stylings of Dr. Octagonecologist and the pornocore of Sex Style, with frustrating results. The production is decent, but pales in comparison to the more complex, evocative work of Dan the Automator on Octagon, and Keith rarely cuts loose lyrically with the joyfully profane abandon that made Sex Style such an original. The "Black Elvis" character of the title is never developed in any interesting way, and the Tag Team-style, Roger Troutman chorused "Master of the Game" is a true embarassment.

That said, the album is far from a total loss. "Livin' Astro," "I Don't Play," and "Lost in Space"(except for the irritating computer-synth voice) are all slammin', even if you feel you've heard them before. The disappointment of the Black Elvis character is nearly redeemed on "The Girls Don't Like the Job," which is amusingly told through the eyes of a yuppie "space investor" (maybe this guy should have been the headliner). And Keith's wordplay on "Maxi Curls" show that when he's on in the verbally challenged world of Puffy's and Master P's (despite liner note props to the contrary), he is, to quote the man himself, still the best.

Late Styles: Could There Be Original Black Elvises?
Keith Thornton made quite the "subcultural" splash in the late 90s with his *Dr. Octagon* record, mixed by Dan the Automator and featuring one of the most "post-historical" personae in the history of arts and letters; but this record, recorded under his original moniker "Kool Keith" with Kut Masta Kurt at the helm, is really the one to give any questions still swirling around Keith's earlier career with the Ultramagnetic MCs some substance. Is this really the rhetorical master of the US present? We lack the conditions of assessment under which such a question would even make sense, such that the "artistry" of Kool Keith is *espied* rather than even felt: as other reviewers here suggest, the cultural references on this material (released amidst a flurry of faux-fabulous "hardcore" rap and a much-publicized dispute with Sony records) are oblique to the point of obscurity.

At the time of its release, the major question about this record was why Keith was wearing a rubber Elvis wig (to be duplicated on the tour) and although to my knowledge this question has never been answered by the rather knowledgeable fans of "Blue Flowers", it is perhaps not ours to shift its valences and the "green" album may remain a mystery as regards its authorial intention (i.e., exactly what this was supposed to do besides "blow up"). But hey, since this is usually hard to buy in stores perhaps it is not too much beside the point to mention that the original Black Elvis is here taken to have had not only an extremely questionable hairstyle but also Marilyn Monroe on his back: and maybe he did, too, in some fairly rarefied sense.

i love this album
IM seeing robots is awesome... i love the themes to all Kool Keith's albums ...there is pure genius in his music...anyone can see that

Not feeling it...
The production is kind of bland and predictable, and Keith's flow
is not as sharp this time around. They're are a couple of gems
'Static' with Sadat X and 'Black Elvis'...but overall it's not up to par with Keith's earlier releases. Check out 'Dr. Doom', 'Dr. Octagon', and the 'Cenobites' if you want to see
Kool Keith at his best. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

It's pretty decent!
First off, its a little different from previous punk o rama releases. I myself could definitely do with out the hip hop, anyone else feel the same? THERES NO HIP HOP IN PUNK. Im in way too much pain to write a full review... Buy it, for 6.99 you cant go wrong, plus the dvd with videos are pretty cool, im not much into some of the bands on the dvd, but yet some of the videos are funny or cool...

Whats Not To Like...
24 songs, most of which are good, and a Bonus DVD with 11 videos, including ATMOSPHERE And MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK. This was well worth the 7.99 I spent at Hot Topic...

Epitaph does it again!
This cd might not be the best out of the punk o rama series but for under $10, it is an awesome cd with some of the older bands from epitaph and some of the new and upcoming bands from epitaph. Awesome cd and for under $10 its worth it, plus it comes with a very cool bonus dvd!

Every compillation must reek pungently. This doesn't.
The latest compilation from Epitaph Records isn't exactly punk, but for $10 it really is a truckload of music. With offerings from over 20 bands and a bonus DVD, It showcases many of the Emo, Hip-Hop, Punk and Indy bands that have signed, and shows the newer directions Epitaph has been branching into. Volume nine includes tracks from mainstays such as the Dropkick Murphys, Rancid, Bad Religion, and Pennywise to newer groups like The Nekromanix, The Horror Pops, and The Matches. All content copyright www.maximumink.com

.....and worse again.
I don't understand why this is called Punk-O-Rama. There are a couple of punk bands on there, and good ones, Bad Religion, Dropkick's, Bouncing Souls, Pennywise, Pulley, Randy etc. Then the rest of them are slow emo rubbish, and worst of all, there is about 3 rap songs. I would understand if it was just another compilation, but it is called PUNK-o-rama, and therefore, should be punk, and punk only. You buy the Punk-O-Rama series and expect to listen to old, new and upcoming punk bands, like the earlier Punk-O-Rama CD's. If I wanted to listen to rap I would start looking at Eminem or Snoop Dogg CD's. 1 star anyway for the 5 or 6 good songs on there, by the above bands I mentioned. ... Read more

Album Description

The 6th Jokers Card is finally here.The Wraith..Shangri-La. NOVEMBER 5TH, 2002!!

Send the E-Card to your friends... ... Read more

Reviews (145)

WELL, THIS IS IT, THE END OF THE JOKER'S CARD SERIES
THIS CD, WHICH IS THE 6TH AND FINAL JOKER'S CARD, IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM A LOT OF THE EARLIER ICP ALBUMS. IF YOU NOTICE, A LOT OF THE TRACKS ON THIS CD BLEND RAP WITH HARD ROCK. THE ALBUM IS NOT AS GOOD AS I WAS EXPECTING IT TO BE, BUT, AT LEAST I WASN'T TOTALLY DISSAPOINTED. THE BEST SONG ON THE WHOLE CD IS ''JUGGALO HOMIES'', WHICH FEATURES ANYBODY KILLA AND TWIZTID. ICP EVEN DOES A TRIBUTE TO WEST COAST RAP LEGENDS ABOVE THE LAW BY DOING A RENDITION OF ''MURDER RAP'', WHICH IS FAIRLY DECENT. THIS IS A FAR CRY FROM A LOT OF THE OLDER ICP CDS, BUT, IT'S STILL A GOOD CD TO LISTEN TO IF YOU LIKE YOUR RAP MUSIC MIXED IN WITH SOME HARD ROCK. BLAZE YA DEAD HOMIE AND ESHAM ALSO MAKE APPEARANCES ON THIS ALBUM. TOO BAD THE JOKER'S CARD SERIES IS NOW OVER. I WONDER WHAT THE INSANE CLOWN POSSE IS GONNA DO FOR THEIR NEXT CD. OH, AND THERE IS A VERSION OF THIS CD THAT HAS A SPECIAL DVD AND IS 17 TRACKS LONG INSTEAD OF 15. FOLLOWED BY A VIOLENT J SOLO EP, ENTITLED ''WIZARD OF THE HOOD''.

Finally, the 6th Jokers Card
I've been a dedicated ICP fan since their first album "Carnival Of Carnage" and i've heard every album since. "The Wraith: Shangri-La" finally tells everyone the one thing they've been wanting to know: WHAT IS THE SIXTH JOKERS CARD? Now that's its here, it is both good and bad for ICP fans. The good is that we know what the sixth and all the other jokers cards are. The bad is that there will be no more jokers cards, which means no more new ICP albums. I cannot wait till part 2 of the sixth jokers card "The Wraith: Hell's Pit" comes out in November 2003. I'll always be down with the clown...
_________________________________________________________________
TRACK LISTING FOR "WRAITH: SHANGRI-LA" (Amazon got it wrong):

1. Walk Into The Light (5:09)
2. Welcome To The Show (3:12)
3. Get Ya Wicked On (1:47)
4. Murder Rap (2:32)
5. Birthday B***** (1:18)
6. Blam! (3:39)
7. It Rains Diamonds (5:26)
8. The Staleness (3:58)
9. Hell's Forecast (2:58)
10. Juggalo Homies (4:42)
11. Ain't Yo Bisness (4:49)
12. We Belong (2:44)
13. Cotton Candy and Popsicles (3:42)
14. Crossing The Bridge (4:14)
15. The Raven's Mirror (2:59)
16. The Wraith (3:33)
17. The Unvelling (3:37)
_________________________________________________________________
Other ICP albums you should have:

"Bizaar"
"Bizaar"
"Vol. 3 Forgotten Freshness"
"Amazing Jeckel Brothers"
"Vol. 1 & 2 Forgotten Freshness"
"Tunnel Of Love (EP)"
"Terror Wheel (EP)"
"Great Milenko"
"Riddle Box"
"Ringmaster"
"Beverly Kills"
"Carnival Of Carnage"

KICK ASS!!!
THE WRAITH IS A 10 OUT OF 10 STAR RATING. THIS WHAT I THINK OF SOME OF THE SONGS.

1.INTRO/WALK INTO THE LIGHT:A 2.WELCOME TO THE SHOW: A+
3.GET YOUR WICKED ON:B
4.MURDER RAP:A
5.BIRTHDAY B******:B-
6.BLAAAM!!!:A+

An amazing ending to the saga of the 6 Joker's Cards
This may very well be the most amazing album I've ever heard. Mike P. did an incredible job on the music, possibly better than anything Mike Clark ever did. The songs range from humorous clown raps to the wicked s**t to meaninful songs about the duo's journey to Shangri-La. Almost everything about this album is solid gold. The only problem I have is how the Juggalos reacted to it. Their are some who hate it and believe it is the worst ICP has ever done. And then there are those who like it. However, the latter group acts like they had seen the whole "God" thing coming. Quit fooling yourselves, please. There never were any hidden messages about God in the songs. J and Shaggy have just been trying to tell a story, leaving death as the ultimate ending. As you all know, there are two paths after death: heaven and hell. This album brings forth the path to Shangri-La, but that isn't it. Hell's Pit is going to drop in a few months, and it'll be back to the wicked s*** all over again. So everyone who thinks ICP turned into a bunch of pussies after this album dropped, you're dead wrong. However, you can't blame J and Shags for trying to give off some good vibes. They don't always want to be seen as the psycho clowns that they make themselves out to be.

The most memorable tracks on this album are probably Walk Into Thy Light, Welcome To Thy Show, It's Raining Diamonds, Ain't Yo Bidness, Homies, Crossing Thy Bridge, and Thy Unveiling.

ICP has done an awesome job with The Wraith, and I'm expecting even better from Hell's Pit.

Much Clown luv, peace out.

WAITIN 4 THE PIT
Since the beginning juggalos rely heavily on icp 2 release something new 2 give each juggalos lives a meaning without them after all six we aint nothing.
I truly believed shangrila was it.
supposedly bizzar bizzar was it (juggalos felt screwed over an knew without ICP how was one suppose 2 go on?)
So the 2 had 2 end it completely some how right!
The double Wraith ending.

On first hearing I noticed each song 2 end quickly so it could flow str8 2 the point (them telling us all that the carnivall is god and may all of us find him).iM BOTHERED BY THE FACT THAT VIOLENT j's explination of the carnival changed from time 2 time(go over 2 halls of illusions.com and ull see whut im saying) Completely forgetting that J said in Welcome to thy show song that 'if u really wanna see the devils exsibit the sh*8 is called hells pit run out and get it'The final track leaves u emotionally dry and stale thinking after all that now what am I spose 2 do!

I played it over an over till i got bored of it
now waitin for the real ending WAITIN ON THE PIT ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Bizaar
One of ICP's 2 cds 2 come out in October 2000, "Bizaar", along with its sister album, "Bizzar", are both very comical and funny while still bringing the fresh sounds that juggalos want 2 hear. Unlike the other "Bizzar", "Bizaar" has more serious, while still having funny, tracks. This is proven on tracks like "Rainbows & Stuff", "My Homie Baby Mama", and "Please Don't Hate Me". Here's a trak-by-trak review 2 let ya'll know whut i think:

1. Intro - Talks about a dark cloud covering the country.

2. Take Me Away (5/5) - I think this is the freshest song off the album, awesome trak.

3. Fearless (4/5) - Alright, not as good as last 1, but still pretty good.

4. Rainbows & Stuff (5/5) - Funny as [heck], some hilarious verses by Violent J.

5. Whut (5/5) - Awesome song, has J, Shaggy, and Jamie Madrox to make a great juggalo anthem.

6. Still Stabbin' (5/5) - Fresh song which has more of J stabbing people like on the "Amazing Jeckel Bros." trak "I Stab People".

7. Tilt-A-Whirl (4/5) - I don't like it that much, but still fresh.

8. We Gives No... (3/5) - Don't really like it that much.

9. Please Don't Hate Me (5/5) - Hilarious song where J talks about...Eminem's mom.

10. Behind The Paint (5/5) - Excellent trak, one of my favorites off the album, really deep.

11. My Homies Baby Mama (5/5) - Hilarious song.

12. Pendulum's Promise (3/5) - Is this the same thing from after "Please Don't Hate Me" but right before "Behind The Paint"? Some thing off Dark Lotus Family.

13. Sampler (5/5) - This might or might not be on the cd you have, my brother, also known as MUSIQSTAR88. let me borrow his burnt copy, and it has 2 versions of this sampler, it's fresh and talks about the Wraith.

14. Sampler - read #13

15. Bonus Trak (5/5) - ...awesome trak, fresh as [heck]...

A great release from ICP...
TRACK LISTING:
1. Intro
2. Take Me Away
3. Fearless
4. Rainbows & Stuff
5. Whut
6. Still Stabbin'
7. Tilt-A-Whirl
8. We Gives No ...BR>9. Please Don't Hate Me
10. Behind The Paint
11. My Homies Baby Mama
12. Pendulum's Promise
13. Sampler
14. Sampler
15. Bonus Track

(If i got the track listing wrong then it's because i have a burned copy that i got off a friend which includes the same sampler twice.)

_________________________________________________________________
ICP's BIZAAR is a definetily a very good release. It shows the comical side of ICP more than ever on songs like "Rainbows & Stuff" and "My Homies Baby Mama". "Whut" is a great song (it sounds a lot like "Get Ya Wicked On" off of 'The Wraith: Shangri-La'). "Please Don't Hate Me", a stab at rival white rapper Eminem is hilarious but really doesn't harm Em in any way considering he already hates his mother anyway. "Take Me Away" is good and so is the sampler at the end talking about the sixth jokers card album which, by now, is already in stores. So i recommand to you to buy BIZAAR and any other ICP album, all of them are awesome.

The other BIZAAR isn't as good but is still worth buying.

Tererible
The Insane Clown posse is so insanely bad they suck and they cant rap buy illmatic instead you diis illmatic you freaks and my Black friends will kick your little High School butts

Hell yeah...
This album is the GRETAEST!! You haven't heard great music till you heard this!! I love all the songs on!! I Love you ICP!! Violent J, and Shaggy 2 Dope.... you 2 are my heros in life!!

~I LOVE YOU ALL~

Hellawicked
This is, by far, my all time favorite ICP cd. Starting with track 2, "Take Me Away" I was hooked immediately by the beat, which is thumped in true old school form. ICP first hooked me with their ability to make me laugh my rear end off, then, as I paid attention, I saw that they do, indeed, have something to say. Bizaar keeps me in stitches while still getting their message across. Personal faves of mine are Take Me Away, Tilt a Whirl, Please Don't Hate Me, and My Homie Baby's Mama. I'd have to give Bizaar my highest recommendation. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As Red Hot Organization celebrations of composers and genres go, Red Hot & Rhapsody is certainly timely, coming as it does at the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin's birth. Like its predecessors, it's also trendily eclectic. While its "groove" sometimes falls on the wrong side of the divide between sinuous and sleepy--a version of "Summertime" by Morcheeba and lite-jazz flutist Hubert Laws that finds vocalist Sky Edwards carefully pronouncing the "g" that isn't in the word "jumpin'"--and Natalie Merchant and Duncan Sheik are just plain wrong for their material, this is a solid disc that makes a good case for having Bobby Womack, Luscious Jackson, Money Mark, and Clark Terry on the same five inches of plastic and aluminum. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (11)

An eclectic collection of sultry sounds and mellow jazz
I purchased this CD 2 years ago and it is still my favorite. This CD however is not for the generic jazz music lover. The tone is almost lounge-slow with some of the artists adding their somber interpretation to the songs. Yet the Natalie Merchant version of "But Not for Me" alone makes the album worth buying. Out of all 17 tracks, there is only one song I am not particulary fond of, although it is beginning to grow on me....

VERY COOL
This CD is a master piece..the only reason i give it 4 stars and not five is because the songs by all the biggies like sinead 0'connor and david bowie completely sucked. The the ones by Duncan shiek Natalie Merchand et all wer aweson..very cool music..i you wanna relax and smoke a few .....drink a few...be alone..this ones for you then!...refreshing music is all i have to say about this CD!

so-so if you ask me
If George Gerswhin heard this cd, he'd probably turn over in his grave. It's just an insult to the man's art to cover his songs by just singing over a Casio beat (refer to tracks 1, 4, 10, 12, 13, and 14). But the biggest disappointments came from the big names on the cd-- namely Natalie Merchant. Her version of "But Not for Me" is soooo boring. Even I can sing it better than she can. Sinead O'Conner didn't do much better with "Someone to Watch Over Me". The only standout track was Clark Terry's "Let's Call the Whole Think Off". Maybe it was best to give these classic songs a 90's facelift and add the drum tracks and all that programming/sampling. Smoke City's "They Can't Take That Away From Me"(song #4) and Sarah Cracknell's "The Man I Love" (song #13) are pretty good. This isn't that bad of a cd, but it could be so much better. Seems like many people liked it by all the 5-star reviews. But if you happen to buy this cd and are a little disappointed, don't be because you're still helping out a wonderful cause.

Gershwin With a Beat
This album will float you through those sultry summer evenings with its smooth sounds. For the Gershwin lover, for the R&B lover, or for just the lover: it's a purchase you won't regret.

The best CD in my collection
There is a wealth of music in this one CD. I have had this now about 6 months and it is still my favourite. ... Read more

Amazon.com

British trip-hop phenomenon Tricky embarks on a second hypnotic, chilled-out ride to the outer limits. Guest artistes include Bjork, Neneh Cherry, Terry Hall, and Alison Moyet (who sings "Make a Change," the most accessible track here). --Jeff Bateman ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Ack....I'M MELTING
Ok, I'll be honest, I didn't love this cd right away. I had to listen to it a couple of times - but oh baby, when it hits you, watch out! The song "Poems" makes me want to cry really hard, but not in a sad way - it's just so cathartic. The whole album gets under your skin and you can't (nor do you want to) get it out! I loved hearing from Allison Moyet and Terry Hall. What a nostalgic trip. This is actually the first Tricky cd I've gotten. Everyone seems to be saying it's a real departure from his other albums. I plan to buy them all now. I only hope they will live up to the genius that is "Nearly God". Buy this!!!

Brilliant work!
In reviewing this album, I would just like to tell you my experience. I heard Maxinquaye, and it was excellent. Then I went to Pre Millenium Tension, and It was good too. I wanted more tricky. Someone suggested this cd to me, but said its very claustrophobic, and I would not like it much. So I ignored it. I went on to Angels with dirty faces. I was still looking for a new tricky album, so I thought, what the hell? It wont hurt if I got nearly god. I tell you Honestly Very nearly perfect...
Ok, Nearly God is something I bought without consciously knowing I was looking for it. I found it in a used store ... and figured I'd give it a try. Well, let me tell you, NOW I'm hooked.
At first listen, you might not like it because it's not your typical techno trancy stuff. The trick is, you have to listen to it numerous times to truly appreciate the album. It is genuinely worth the effort, though. I'll tell u why.
Some of the best tracks on this record are "Poems", which will turn you on in no time flat. "Make a Change" is also very meditative. Even "Keep Your Mouth Shut", with its slight hip-hop intro will blow your ...world, friend:)
I only give it 4 stars because, while the record is truly amazing, it is hard to play it the whole way through. I'm telling you, though, purchase this album because it's really good and you will find youself repeating certain tracks over and over again. If u are looking for a dope experience without the marijuana, then go to ur nearest record store, buy the cd and play it with some fine wine and a good friend (and make amazing love):)

The Blatant Truth about Tricky's Music!
This is a masterpiece !
This cd illustrates Tricky's full trip hop ability. All the songs all have the same mood and nothing is out of place. Bjork is featured on this cd along with Martina(His X Girlfriend). The music is classic and the stand out track is a Creepy masterpiece called "Poems". Which I believe "Broken Homes" on "Angels with Dirty Faces" was crafted after. Tricky is on a slow path to destruction, His 1st three efforts were really great this includes Maxinqueye, Nearly God, Pre millennium Tension. After these three efforts the split between Tricky and his girlfriend Martina really made a difference. You can tell that her voice was a huge motivation in his music. With the abscence of her voice you can tell that the creativity just wasn't there. Tricky isn't a singer and with out a female voice over his voice,it lacks alot. His new effort "BlowBack" is completley crap, it is basically a attempt at rock music because he is bullheaded and just can't except the fact he can't sing. "Ruff Guide" which is supposidly a Greatest Hits that will give you a basic outline of Tricky's career. And if you compare the notes with each song you will see the difference in the material. "Angels with Dirty Faces" only hints at the magic that Tricky and Martina once had. "Broken Homes" is the masterpiece on that cd, and that is it. But anyway I hope this review has been extremley helpful to someone. Because Lord knows! I quit purchasing Tricky after I bought Juxtapose and got a rude awakening. Tricky his know longer on the right path, Hopefully someone can convince him to get another female vocalist and do the creepy, Haunting creative abtract beats that made him Famous!

1. Maxinqueye *****
2. Nearly God *****
3. Pre Millenium Tension *** 1/2
4. Angels with Dirty Faces **
5. Juxtapose *
6. Blowback (-*)
7. Ruff Guide ****
8. Grass roots ep **
(I hope this is helpful to anyone out there)
Arish

moody , contemplative and, of course, trippy
Nearly God is technically a collective of artists, but Tricky is clearly in the driver's seat. Some of these songs are rather gloomy while others are more carefree. I've been told this is a great album to meditate to and I believe it. Especially with the mesmerizing "Poems." Also "Tattoo" is a deeply atmospheric track and I was thrilled to find out that it was written by one of my favorite groups - Siouxsie and the Banshees. Bjork and Tricky make an intriguing vocal duo, especially on "Keep Your Mouth Shut" which sounds like a dungeon until the opiate-haze interlude sung by Bjork. It's quite disconcerting when a brutal segment from a rap song cuts through the song, yet effective. Nearly God contains many strange sounds and great vocal performances. This is essential chill-out Tricky. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Tribe's last album--they announced their breakup just prior to its release--has all of the problems of Midnight Marauders and Beats, Rhymes, and Life: they're just not People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm or The Low End Theory, Tribe's first two releases. That said, so what? Late-era Tribe is still a force to be reckoned with, even if it's not as much fun or doesn't have all the possibilities of Phife Dog, Q-Tip, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad's early work. The Love Movement's backing tracks recall previous releases but tend to be subtler--and therefore less than memorable--and a few of the tracks here are almost indistinguishable from one another. Q-Tip and Phife Dog bust out with few catch phrases (the exception is "Give Me," on which they rhyme "Boyz II Men, ABC, BBD--naw, we ain't none of them"); overall, they sound more mature than ever before. Are they really? At times, yes, and it seems that maturity is one of hip-hop's few unforgivable sins. --Randy Silver ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Going out with a bang, y'all!
I've grown up with Tribe, and their music has been a big influence in my own life. Suffice it to say that I was distressed when I found out my boys were calling it quits. Tribe albums pretty much have exuded creativity and consciousness, and that hasn't changed with "The Love Movement". Truth be told, it isn't a strong album (Cuts like "The Booty", "Give Me", and the bonus track "Moneymaker", with it's annoying Lone Ranger intro make up the filler on the album). Nonetheless, the good outweighs the bad. The first two tracks are packed with great bass and lyrics to go. Other great cuts include "Steppin' It Up", with Busta and Redman dropping rhymes; the funky instrumental "4 Moms", and it's proceeding track "His Name is Mutty Ranks", where Phife goes solo; "The Love", with it's conscious groove ('love a woman when she wears a tight outfit / outfit meaning outlook and disposition'), and "Rock Rock Y'all", with on-point verbal acrobatics by Punch, Words, Jane Doe, and the mighty Mos Def. Also, peep the classic remixes of "Scenario" and "Jazz".

In short, please don't sleep on this joint. Tribe went out with a bang with this one, even if it ain't "Low End" or "Marauders". Lyrical complexity and conscious rhyming are coming back with a vengenance in the rap game. Make this one a mandatory buy, along w/ Black Star (who resemble the Tribe in spirit and focus).

WHY....WHY....WHY ?
Why did this group break up. It saddens me that such a great Hip-Hop group just calls it quits. But with their last release THE LOVE MOVEMENT, after 4 classic albums, they end the saga with nothing but a basic-offering of music. Not that this album is whack, of course it isn't. It's just not the Tribe Called Quest we've grown to love. But this final album offers some pretty good songs. Like : STEPPIN IT UP, LIKE IT LIKE THAT, COMMON GROUND, HIS NAME IS MUTTY RANKS, BUSTA'S LAMENT ( great beat ), HOT 4 U, AGAINST THE WORLD, THE LOVE and the albums gem FIND A WAY for its ol' school feel of word play by Q-Tip & Phife. I also didn't like the fact that they ended the streak of album cover designs. With all of the albums, they had sort of an artistic feel to them. Portraying that the album is a work of art. THE LOVE MOVEMENT is just a plain white cover. I really was looking forward to the album cover cause the cover on BEATS, RHYMES AND LIFE was magnificent. So overall, THE LOVE MOVEMENT has its moments, but it's just not a classic offering by Tribe which they did every time. But the extra tracks at the end like SCENARIO ( REMIX ), MONEY MAKER, HOT SEX and ONE TWO S*** really makes this an album all questers should have.

A Tribe Called Quest - The Love Movement
This album is, to be frank, boring. Two stars were added because of the inclusion of the bonus tracks such as "Hot Sex" from the "Boomerang" soundtrack and the hard-to-find classic remix to "Scenario" (but the "Oh My God" remix is wack). On the other hand, those old-school tracks placed with these newer songs show just how much Tribe has fallen off. The newer songs feature boring production that makes every song sound the same and Q-Tip and Phife sound like they came in the studio saying, "All right, but this is the last time." This was supposed to be their swan song but they tried to make a comeback in 2003.

(3 1/2 stars) don't misunderstand this
Stop complaining that this album is not People's Instinctive Travels or Low End Theory because that's not even what they're trying to do. I think they are trying to change their sound and project a more mature and modern image, as is represented in the well done but completely unexpected album cover design that probably alienated a lot of fans. That being said, I don't know whether they completely succeeded in their image transformation (which got off to a good start with Beats Rhymes and Life). Although Q-Tip, as always, has very strong artistic intent, I think he has gotten worse as a rapper, or at least incredibly uneven, because he gets away with saying some very weak rhymes. Phife, on a couple songs, seems distracted or disinterested during the call and response, like he got woke up to make the album and was just trying to sound good. The group does have some great moments, which are improved further by the constant appearances of Busta Rhymes, who is one of rap's most consistently jaw-dropping acrobats. Some of the other guests seem out of place, like Noreaga, and the guitar thing is just OK.
I think Q-Tip's UMMAH production thing works well. The beats on this album are very different than most of the previous work, but the concept for this album's sterile and laid back backing tracks is far more solid than the lyrics spit over them ("make me feel special like a prominent man"). Also, most of the bonus tracks are great, but I think maybe they were just trying to release all their stuff to get out of their record deal, not looking forward to the two or three subsequent albums of rereleased tracks that reeked of commericalism.

Underrated art
The reviewer who said "this album isn't as close to as great as their previous 3" has no place calling himself "probably the world's greatest tribe fan." Tribe put out 4 albums before The Love Movement, not 3.
Now that I got that off of my chest, I think the Love Movement is highly underrated. I think the members of Tribe knew exactly how they wanted to go out: subtly and smoothly. If you listen closely, you'll find that this album contains the same social consciousness that made them famous, particularly on tracks such as "The Love" and perhaps less obviously on songs such as "Give Me." But the most important statement this album makes is about love on all levels, a message that doesn't always have to come in a complex package. And quite simply, this is one of the most chill albums ever made.
Is "The Love Movement" their best work? Probably not. Is it a darn good hip hop album? You better believe it. All who were disappointed in this album should give it another spin.
I can't wait till Tribe makes their new millenium comeback in a few months...
By the way, to the reviewer who only counted 3 previous works, the one you left off is Beats, Rhymes, and Life, another underappreciated album. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Yep, this is Dead Prez's famously long-delayed album, finally surfacing after a string of label deals gone wonky, but no amount of red tape could've stopped the Red, Black, and Green movement--colors of the African Liberation flag--that is tirelessly championed here. Equal part activists and MCs, Stic and M1 continue their unwavering quest to rally the oppressed for a full-scale war against the State, as evidenced early on in "Walk Like a Warrior." When guest Krayzie Bone starts his triple-time rhyming against societal oppression--now that's beyond gangsta. DP slyly churn out their Pan-Africanist agenda throughout these 12 tracks, but it's actually their more focused tirades that win out: on "W-4" they rail against unjust worker conditions and wages, and on "Radio Freq" they implore folks to "turn off the radio" to protest the monotony that plagues commercial urban radio. There are a few less, er, diplomatic tracks that might not win over new fans who don't share their interest in radical activist dogma; on the other hand, a track like "Hell Yeah (Pimp the System)"--with its get-money-quick schemes (performing stick-ups or skimming cash from the register at work) and a remix featuring Jay-Z--might expand the audience. Although not as sonically fluid as their Let's Get Free debut, RBG's great in-house beats still magically match the intensity of their rhymes. Now how many other politico MCs can claim that? --Dalton Higgins ... Read more

Reviews (25)

RBG: Really Boring Gangstas (3 Stars)
Let's be real, if you would've heard this album before you heard "Let's Get Free", then you'd probably love this album. "Let's Get Free" was a classic album. In fact, they may be victims of our expectations. I'm gonna ride with DPz until they stop making albums, but this album isn't even worth mentioning in the same sentence as their first one. To sum it up, it's boring. I never thought I'd say that about them. I was skipping a lot of songs. There are all kinds of flaws on this album. The first one to come to mind are the three appearances of "Hell Yeah" on this album with no real difference between any of them. I applaud their message, their efforts, and their commitment to the grind. But this is STILL a music business. It's still a solid album, but it's not "Let's Get Free", and I think that's what has fans like me scratching their heads.....the severe drop off in talent level. To go from the level of talent they were at to this is just plain disappointing. Their next album has to be that fire if they plan to stay in this rap game much longer.

Personal Favorites: W - 4, I Have A Dream Too (my favorite), 50 In The Clip, & D.O.W.N.

Does not live up to expectations
Dead Prez's first album "Lets Get Free" put almost everything else in the hip-hop universe in its place; a timeless classic. Original in so many ways--instrumentation with African percussion, positive revolutionary messages, clever themes such as the Animal Farm song and so many other things--really made that album revolutionary in more ways than the lyrics.

RBG has the same theme, but it's totally watered-down by generic beats and lyrics. While Lets Get Free demanded the fans to try harder, this album is more sympathetic to bad behavior. And the album itself is terribly short--45 minutes, including 3 duplicate tracks (Radio freq is re-named but otherwise identical to track 2 from Turn Off the Radio vol 1; RBG also has 3 versions of "hell yeah" and 2 of "don't forget.")

Lets Get Free was as revolutionary musically as lyrically. This one is not. Nothing like "Mind Sex" or "Im a African" or other breakthroughs.

Maybe cuz "Sean C." had his hand in this one.

RBG has about 30 minutes of original material. And I paid 20 bones for this disc. lame.

Falling off the wagon
Dead prez opened my eyes a few years ago when I heard Lets Get Free. Amazing Hip-Hop. I awaited this album for a long long time. And when I heard it, I wanted to puke. The positive messages of community and freedom were gone, replaced by odes to getting "Fu*ked Up" and drive bys of Police stations.
These guys have disenfranchised themselves. The Revolution will be one of mind and soul, not one of guns and money, the tools of the capitalists. LEts get Free understood this. RBG is a sell out tool, and I hope it doesn't sell worth at all. They need to fire their Jay-Z-esque beat writers and get back to their hip hop roots. Even the rhymes sound more mainstream.
Dissapointing, but I'll still go see them live, hoping to hear some old stuff.
Go get their first album, but let this one fester. Hopefully they'll get the idea.

Give it a second chance...
I've read all the reviews and I can relate to everything that has been said. When I first bought the CD, I was so excited to hear it because, like every other DP fan, I had obviously been waiting for it to drop. I was disappointed at first because it wasn't on the same level as Let's Get Free and even Get Free or Die Trying. I let it sit for about a month and a half and came back for it. This time, I was ready and this CD really touched me. I find this to be a beautiful release. It had to grow on me, but when it did, I was near tears listening to it. I got the privilege of seeing them on Memorial Day and the concert was too live!! They explained the difference in the content of this CD from their previous albums. They were trying to reach a different crowd, not just the "conscious" hip hop crowd, but the rest of the hood like the "gangbangers" and those who would not normally be educated on the political issues of today. They wanted those people who may not naturally be drawn to buy a DP album to try something new. This CD wasn't necessarily for those who already know what's, but for those in desperate need of having their eyes opened. Please try this album again with a more open mind. I know the songs are short and that it is censored, but try to see what they are trying to achieve through this album. Love.

You can't take this album seriously
All tracks are censored, most of the best soundtracks are completely changed and out of tune. Although the album is done and great to listen to, i wouldn't call this dead prez's finest. ... Read more

Album Details

Hip-Hop. The Title Track features the Wackiness of Kool Keith (Dr Octagon, Black Elvis) as his Sinister 6000 Alter Ego & the Other Tracks Are What Point the Listener to Nakamura's Better Tomorrow Vision: A World in which Hip-Hop is Free to Expand on the Myriad Sonic Possibilities He Touches On. This Reissue is Complemented with Brand New Mastering & the Addition of Six Never-Before-Released Kool Keith. Automator Tracks from the Original Dr Octagon Sessions. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Not essential Automator, but a fun release none-the-less
I have to give my respect to my Japanese DJ friend. If were not for Dan The Automator's amazing production skills and combos with some of todays greatest MCs, I would probably still associate rap with what's played on MTV. Thanks to Nakamura, I can look past that cookie cutter crap and hear acutally inventive stuff like Lovage,Dr. Octagon, Deltron 3030, and even his comercial breakthrough record, Gorillaz. With all that in mind, I dove head first into Automator's first and only solo effort. The results stammer a few times(the two guest rappers are okay but pale to the compareson of vocal skills of Kool Keith....er.... Sinister 6000), but otherwise, this is a great record.

First thing that struck me on this record is the beats. They aren't your normal simple, come-up-with-one-bar beats. They actually contain hooks and have some interesting sounds to them. This is helped along by Dan's DJ/Production skills. A cool clean intergration of laidback melodies and cool basslines are there complement Sinister 6000's bizarre ryhme patterns. The two work together here as well as they did on Kool Keith's breakthrough sucess on Dr. Octagon. Weaving between Dan's samples, Keith adds to the album with his trademark wackiness and off-kilter rhyme style. The three instrumentals on here are nothing special but do nothng to dampen the quality of the record.

If anything is at fault here, are the two guest rapper tracks> Wilin' is pretty substandard, with Buck Buck being just above average in my book. With those two tracks, Automator comes up just short of creating another underground classic. This doesn't mean you shouldn't buy this. At around 10 bucks, it'll be one of the cheapest CDs you buy. With Dan the Automator at the helm, it's sure to be a pleasing moment. Anyone who likes Automator should own a copy of this(and the classics listed above). Anyone who derives rap music should also check this out. Who knows? It might even have the power to turn some heads.

Ahead of it's time... obviously
I first heard Handsome boy modeling school back in 2000, and being a singer/songwriter fan I wan't much akeen to hip-hop. When I heard that record I was thrown for a loop, the matter of what The Automator creates(no offence to Prince Paul, love him too), the artisty behind every move astonished me. He took hip-hop and created his own surreal sub genre. (trip-hop...blah, blah, blah) After that I searched down every project that I could find that The Automator was a part of. Dr. Octagon, Deltron 3030, loved them, discovered Kool Keith, and Del the funky Homosapian, in return. Then came a Much Better Tomorrow, having been to late for the origianl EP, I was thrilled. The perfect sullen and sultry sampeling on Wiling, the meloncoly of The Truth. Mr. Kool Keith carries his weight as the narator of this journey especial on King of NY, and the fun Cartoon Capers.
The Automator is a brillant, original, and talented producer with an ear to die for.
If you love his production check out the above mentioned albums +

Wanna buy a Monkey = a mix tape session that gives you an idea on what kind of music our man enjoys

Lovage: music to make love to your old lady by = One of my favorite albums ever. An entire consept album that almost takes the definiton of "trip hop" and bathes in it.

Gorillaz = I'm sure you heard Clint Eastwood on the radio a couple of years ago. This was a genius collaberation in my opinion. I had been a fan of Blur since 98 + Damion is cute, Cibo Matto since 97, Del of course and throw in the style and vision of Dan... you get the most inovative pop group ever!!

Ben Lee= A singer song writer who became famouse around 15. He's like 24 now and his last album Running with sizzors, was produced by The Automator.

This guy is the luckest guy in the world. I sing, and songwrite, amaturishly, and I always said that if I could have anyone to produce my album that it would be Dan the Automator.

Cause...he rules!

a much better re-release
years ago, "a better tomorrow" EP was released by the automator. it kinda sucked, so years later, he released "a MUCH better tomorrow" with more tracks, and making itself into a full LP. tony hawk underground players would be familiar with the first track, "a better tomorrow part 1". although it's the automator's solo project, his good friend kool keith is a frequent guest on the mic, as well as a few others including poet and neph. the instrumentals are good, but sometimes get old, but once you hear some of the kool keith tracks, and neph's track "wiling" you really discover that this album is a great underground classic. automator once again mixes at his best, being experimental and still including great beats, and kool keith still comes up with weird unique lyrics that make him addictive. it looks like a much better future for the automator and company.

pre-DR. OCTAGON,great hip-hop blend!
Sorry KOOL KEITH makes this album,"King Of N.Y.","Better Tomorrow(s)","I Want Da Mic" and my all-time favorite "Carton Capers" bang this whole LP (EP whatever). THE AUTOMATOR and KOOL KEITH remind me of ULTRAMAGNETIC. Dan replacing CED-GEE on the boards and beats,Q-BERT overpowers anything MOE LOVE has done on the scratch (love ya MO). The other tracks of THE AUTOMATOR instrumental are cool. The other rappers SUCK badly! This album is why DR. OCTAGON (the group of KOOL KEITH,AUTOMATOR and Q-BERT) was so successful. I'm glad I bought this.

The Automator usually fails on "solo" albums, so to say.
Before you stone me to death, here me out. If you own this album, chances are, you own both the groundbreaking Dr. Octagon with that looney toon Kool Keith, and the ultramodern space novel better known as Delton 3030, with Del the Funky Homosapien. Both produced by the wizardry expertise of Dan the Automator. Arguably, the two best produced hip-hop albums, ever. So, tell me why his technically "solo" albums come up so short in comparsion? Especially this one.

The first two tracks with Kool Keith, or Sinister 6000 to be exact, are really the only official classic cuts. The instrumentals are dope, but nothing really up to The Automator's standard. Overall, very average album. Low replay value. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Two cd's , two different listening expierences.
Another difficult project is again handled masterfully by DJ Spooky. The first cd is a collection of remixes from different volumes of the Blue Series. Since the original songs were difficult as originals remixing them would be anyones nightmare.
DJ Spooky demonstrates that he has no equal at deciphering these abstract pieces and then adding his own flavor. The result is a dish for those who don't mind the well prepared exotic dish, prepared by the master himself, DJ Spooky. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Dell's aahight
I got it in '93 after listening to Catch a Bad One. At the time, Catch a bad one was the best lyrical hip hop joint I had heard. Overall the album is o.k. I immediately liked tracks 1,2,4 and 14. The cut with the Souls of Mischief grew on me after a while. Whether you buy it or not, you need to check out Catch a Bad One. If Dell would consistenly put out tracks like this, people would have to recognize his skills and give him some due. Of the music I have heard from Del, I wish my brother George was here is a better Album, but Catch a Bad One is Del's best track.

I love it
I've this album since '99 and have been listened it almost every day. I can't put it out of my CD-Player, cuz its too nice too put it out. This album contains that, what a classic, fat hip-hopcd should have contain. The lyrics of Del are really good and funky and also the beats are jazzy and really nice. It's a pity, that i didnt find this album earlier. But i know now, that i'll buy all his other albums. My favourite tracks are no more worries, boo booheads, worldwide and catch a bad one. I suggest everybody to buy this album, cuz its classic and one of the hottest hip-hop albums ever. This one should be in every CD-collection.

Check out my fusion kits
An absolute hip hop classic. His cousin Cube should have been half this tight on his birthday! Del is more than likely, the most underrated rapper of all time. I would say Dres, but he enjoyed commercial success with Black Sheep.Are either of these two EVER on anyone's greatest rapper list?(I.E. magazines or TV shows)I was, however, disappointed with "Both sides of the brain", (Del's follow up). But then again, after "No need for alarm", there was no place to go but down.......Peace.

Dels best work
I've listened to all of Del's cds and this one is the best (except for deltron 3030 but i dont consider that Del). The beats are full of deep bass and Dels flow is unbeatable. Definatly 5 star. If you liked this one also check out Hieroglyphics and all of their solo stuff.

listen up
if you like this cd, then you should listen to hieroglyphics. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the De La Soul diet, AOI: Bionix is a solid hip-hop meal--no fancy turntablism and few fluffy comedy sketches, just down-home beats and rhymes served straight up. Bionix is a mellow, intelligent album that aims to educate and get a laid-back party groove on at the same time. "Baby Phat" is a note to all the ladies that those couple extra pounds only mean there's more of them to love, and "Held Down" takes on a new, post-Septempter 11 relevance with the lyrics "And when I'm watching the news / And my daughter walk in / To choose to ask / 'Why were all the people on the floor, sleeping, covered in red?' / I told her, 'They came lookin' for God but found religion instead.'" Of course, De La Soul aren't comfortable preaching for too long, and at the other end of the spectrum lie sex and drug duds like "Pawn Star" (featuring Shell Council) and "Peer Pressure" (featuring Cypress Hill's B Real) that flog their subject matter dead. Even with a couple weak offerings, though, Bionix is more on par than subpar. The album's mix of gospel, funk, and hip-hop comes to a head on "Trying People," a soothing balm of a song about trying to make life a little less complicated. --Jennifer Maerz ... Read more

Reviews (42)

Some Grown Man "ish"
When De la drops an album I'm gonna cop it. They've earned that much. Even if I ain't quite feeling it on the first few spins, first few months even, at some point it's gonna hit me. It's inevitable with these guys. This album is no exception. It's at once introspective, reverential, playful, raunchy, and definitely intelligent. In fact, as I crossed into my 30's this year it stands to reason that De La is probably one of the few groups out there who aren't afraid to act their age. I was touched by "Am I Worth it to You" and felt like "Trying People" was speaking directly to a brotha.

Now I'm not knocking certain rappers who cater to the youth market with "money, hoes, & clothes" (I can't front, I want 'em too). However, when it comes to saying what's really on a thirty something black man's noggin' and doing so without getting too self-righteous, De La's always been on point. "Baby Phat" gives a bouncing and long overdue shout to the thickness out there and "Pawn Star", Slick Rick on "What We Do", and B-Real on "Peer Pressure" keep the flow light but still on point.

What gets slept on with these guys also is their production skills. "Simply Having"'s Paul McCartney sample is infectious and genius and "The Sauce" is butta. But I can't say enough about the thoughtful and cleverness of the lyrics.

All in all, they are just professionals. If you've slept on the Soul over the years, just go back and get the entire catalog...you'll eventually grow into it.

de la's least successful, yet most under rated
This album did so terribly on the charts. Its only sold 78,000 copies so far on the shelves, and didnt even crack the top 100 of the charts. Thats pretty bad when his last album, the first part of AOI, peaked in the top 10 of the charts at number 9. I dont understand. His lead single, Baby Phat, is such a catchy and great song, and was once the number 2 downloaded song in the nation. its a positive song about overweight women. it has alot of other intersting subjects in his album. i saw a music video for "me, myself, and I" on MTV2, and realized how much de la soul has grown from that album. De La Soul is Dead will always be known as his classic album, but this is my favorite from him. Possibly the best album so far this year you didnt hear.

There's a very good reason this is out of print.
I'll keep this short and sweet.

Simply is a pretty good track, while Held Down, Baby Phat, and Bionix are OK. Coming into track 9 (Special,) I was pretty surprised how decent this CD was turning out to be. However, by the closing of the aforementioned track, the album took a nose dive that it would never come back from. All of the badness in Bionix culminates in what is quite possibly the worst song of all time, Pawn Star. Extra disrespect goes to Simply Havin, which uses the exact same sample as in ATCQ's "Footprints." One would think that they're familiar with Tribe's material, but whatever.

For the most part, this CD is garbage and doesn't hold up to De La's standards in the least. Perhaps you could buy Simply and Held Down on ITunes, but buying the CD as a whole is a complete waste of money. It certainly isn't worth the 14 bucks I spent for it.

Eh......
The first installment of the Art Official Intelligence series, Mosaic Thump, had a good chunk of solid songs to choose from despite the direction into more mainstream territory. Bionix, the second installment, continues the commercial push even further, except with an unhealthy dose of worthless filler. The interludes are not very funny or amusing, and the last half of the album, with the exception of the final track, is pretty bad. While the album starts out promising enough with the title track and the excellent "Baby Phat," a very enjoyable and respectful tribute to women who do not fit into the stereotypical skinny mold that society pushes on people. "Simply" is a great party anthem while "Held Down" pleasantly harkens back to the conscious mood of their underrated Stakes Is High LP. Unfortunately though, we have garbage like "Pawn Star," which tries to be toungue-in-cheek and humorous, but fails quite miserably, the boring "What We Do (For Love)," and the so-so "Peer Pressure." Add on the interludes, and the filler kills the momentum of the album. It seems Bionix has gone out-of-print, but with the exception of a handful of excellent tracks, you're not missing much. Seek it out for some nice tunes, but not the kind of good, solid album we should expect from De La.

DIFFERENT is as De La does
What makes De La who they are is their constant reinvention of themselves and consequently the hip-hop sound. Don't expect Bionix to sound like 3 Feet High or Rising or De La Soul is Dead. Bionix dosen't even sound like Art Official Intelligence. Similar but different. And when the third installment of AOI comes out it'll sounds different too. That's what makes De La De La. And they sampled a Christmas song on this album! That takes some serious [*]. And not the ones you hang on a Christmas tree. Tracks Bionix and My Writes hang with their best and anybody's best. Go back and listen to those tracks again. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

best Sole album
Im not one of those people who think every anticon release is awesome (the no music, why, pedestrian, passage i cant listen to) I love No more wig for ohio, dpd, them, greenball, 10 seconds, muted, I didnt even know if i liked live from rome after listening to it the first time, but something made me hit play again after it was done, it has a unique vibe(6 tracks produced by Odd Nosdam and 4 by alias). Great subway music.
I bought live from rome the same day i bought a healthy distrust, the revolution of young havoks, streets deciple, and sleepers, and Iv listened to it more than all the previous combined. now i can say i like it better than every other previous sole release, probally mostly due to the production, sensible cultural observations, and no cheesy rants like (the white man is the f_ing devil...).
Favorite track 16

Sole is so DOPE, don't sleep heads...
Sole became a big player in underground hip hop when he dropped Bottle of Humans and continued his success through Selling Live Water. I would recommend both of these releases.His new release "Live From Rome" is even more socially conscious and interesting.Sole is an amazing MC, and he is surrounded by an amazing group of emcees (anticon).His music has always had the Hip hop feel to it.If you like strait unadulterated hip-hop then I would strongly recommend this album.The only reason this LP didn't receive a full 5 stars is because Selling Live Water is unbeatable and will never be matched.A MUST BUY FOR ANY ANTICON OR SOLE FAN.

if you like this release check out:

Dose One: Hemispheres
Pedestrian: UnIndian Songs Vol.1
Alias: The other side of the Looking Glass
Dosh: Pure Trash
Passage: The Force Field Kids
Sage Francis: A Healthy Distrust

... Read more

Album Description

2003 album from artist described as a cross between TomWaits & DJ Shadow. Features 19 tracks including oneenhanced track, 'Buck 65 Talkin' Honky Blues'. WEA Canada. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

So Good!
Before I heard this album I really liked Buck 65, now I love him! No other album of his that I've heard highlights his excellent poetry, skillfull beatwork, or that drawl of his voice. I reccomend this album very highly. If you like genious music, this album is for you.

Amazing
Just came back from his Québec city show, and what an amazing night it was! The guy is the nicest man you'll ever meet, and his live performance is a 10/10.

I don't have any bad thing to say about Talkin Honky Blues. The lyrics are beautifully written, which surprised me a lot for a hip hop artist. I think Buck 65 has a really bright future ahead of him. Talkin Honky Blues had convinced me that he was impressive, and to see him live tonight convinced me to go and buy all of his previous albums!

So take a trip up North and come buy his cds in Canada, where they are half the price they are here. It will be worth every mile.

Like so many greats!
Just came back from a live performance by Buck 65 and what a high! I guess the album can't do justice to the greatness of this man. Goofy yet serious, the album is a thril ride from beginning to end. A must have for everyone who enjoys a right mix of rap/hip-hop, turntablist and good old fashionned rock. Reminding me of a mix between Dan the Automator and Kid Koala with a rap sensibility I can't really relate, this is another great musician that doesn't get nearly enough play time on radio on TV but that you should definitely own.

the great buck 65
i love this cd buck 65 is a one of the greatest

Pass the Buck - too everyone!
From the clever title to the last part of the seven-track concept piece than runs through this astounding work, white, Canadian rapper Buck 65 stands as The Great White North's finest artist in the field and one of the most compelling and unique voices of the rap medium. Sounding now mainly like a less morose Tom Waits (a persona that has become increasingly dominant over his last six releases), Buck 65 does the livin' on the edge of society story-teller thing as well as... well, Waits himself. Lucid poetry, nifty surrealism, amusing non sequitors, interesting samples and an easy-going delivery abound here, making this a first-rate choice for rainy days and repeated listenings. This talkin' honky knows his stuff and then some. Note: while very pricey in this listing, it's actually a bargain priced item in Canada, so if you have a friend up north, get them to buy and send you a copy for about a third of what it's going for here. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Diverse and fun

The great thing about the 90s was the diversity of the music that was popular when I was growing up. There was dance-pop like Paula Abdul's "Opposites attract", "Pump up the Jam" by Technotronic and Hammer's "Can't Touch This"; alt-rock like Everclear, EMF and Jesus Jones. I especially like Meredith Brooks' "Bitch", "I Believe" by Blessid Union of Souls and the laid-back jam "Summertime" by Will Smith when he was half of Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. This is a great collection of mostly one-hit wonders (not all though) and those earworms that get in your head...except where Hanson's "MmmBop"? ... Read more