3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...

Great unique album to have in the background. Makes happy

Too long and disconnected

Found myself enjoying this quite a bit, but not sure how much I see myself revisiting this in full

Really couldn’t get into it. Nathan agrees. 2/5

Great music and lyrics, but the goofiness levels on the vocal delivery is hilarious and really drags this down. Also, much too long. 1.5/5.0: Bad

a little corny but otherwise pretty good. interesting instrumentals though it did feel a little preachy at times

Dug it! Good old school hip hop, very activist minded

It was 4 stars for the first 70% of the album. Then from Natural it lost its drive (including Tennessee, why is it praised so much?). Another album which would have been better with fewer songs.

still relevant today - great album start to finish

This was okay but really not as good as the hype I remember on MTV when in Jr High. The radio sounds were familiar to my ear but not anything ground breaking. I’d put this in the same category as de la soul, maybe more professional but similarly okay but not shockingly good, 30 years later.

An enjoyable listen, although too much preaching for me

I dunno 90s hip hop seems a little too simple. Much prefer modern hip hop

Fun album, with an interesting sounds and awesome beats.

This was cool, shoulda given AD a chance sooner. Gonna need to check out more of their stuff.

It's pretty good I guess, a lot less interesting than a lot of music that their contemporaries were making tho

like the politically involved lyrics, but not sure it will remain

Det er en lidt overset perle i det afrocentiske positive hiphop, der kom ud i start-90'erne. Tennessee er en banger. Men i forhold til det, der er med på listen fra De La Soul og A Tribe Called Quest (det meste udgivet et par år før denne), synes jeg hverken den holder eller er vildt essentiel

Tja, lød fint men ikke noget særligt

Not really my type of rap.. Interesting take though. Appreciated the lack of skits.

This was good, and I didn’t see it coming. I can see who the Black Eyed Peas are trying to sound like…but coming up way short. Solid hip hop album without all the vulgarities. Points for that.

Giving this a 3 feels wrong, but it's not quite a 4 for me personally. 3.5-3.75

Old school boom bap hip hop! What’s not to like! Mr Wendal is the big track everyone will know but the rest of the album stands up too! Hip hop with a message (if you care to listen to it) and not just skits about big willies and vaginas so very refreshing!

This group definitely gets credit for absolutely awesome the music and instrumentation is in this album and also for being generally positive and thoughtful, unlike the rise of gangsta rap this same year with The Chronic. It does get out classes lyrically by similar groups like De La Soul, though. Still, the bangers here are great, with my favorites being U, Mama's Always On Stage, and Fishin' 4 Religion. Pretty good stuff by a group I'd never heard before.

One of my earliest MTV-memories is the clip "Tennessee" by Arrested Development. I loved it back then as a ten year old. Still love it. Great album. Fav: Tennessee

Kinda better than I remembered: thought of them as one-hit wonder wannabe De La Soul.

I was very into this album when it was released. It's been 30+ years since I've revisited, though. While I found Gangsta Rap fun, it wasn't something I could play around the house. I gravitated toward (at the time) more "alternative" rap. This holds up, in my opinion. It's definitely "of it's time", but not dated. Standout Track(s): Mr. Wendel, Raining Revolution, Fishin' 4 Religion, U, Tennessee, Washed Away

Arrested Development's debut album brings a refreshing, conscious alternative to early '90s hip-hop, blending soulful melodies, Afrocentric themes, and socially aware lyrics. Tracks like “Tennessee” and “People Everyday” stand out with their groove and message. However, the album sometimes feels uneven in pacing and production, and a few songs don’t hold up as well over time. While it was groundbreaking in its moment, the impact doesn’t fully translate today. Still, it’s a thoughtful and bold record worth revisiting.

A lot of fun!!! Very funky beats throughout, though the lyrics could be a little cornball. LOVED People Everyday, Dawn of the Dreads, and Tennessee.

Vocal album with a mix of backing tracks and some interesting lyrical moments make this a bit more than your average rap LP. Still not my cup of tea.

There is a lot to love about this album: its socially conscious themes and lyrics, the effort to bring in a cultural fusion of themes and music, and great instrumentation. Mr Wendel and Everyday People were well known to me as a hip hop listener in my teens, I'd never heard the album in full. As with many hip hop albums of the 90s, it is bloated with some filler and overly long as a result. Nas, the following year, showed that a hip hop could be condensed to 10 tracks to great success with his debut. I have to admit I got a bit bored on the vocal delivery by the end too. Overall, though, a lot to be positive about.

This was better than expected!!!

Genuinely loved this. A few songs had flow that struck me as "educational/anti-drug PSA" but talked about how love and partaking in community is all that'll save us and we need to overthrow the government, super tight.

Aika hyvä levy meikästä mut ei tää mikää napalm deathi oo

Some song have good vibes and a nice beat. But there were far to many random sounds and strange instrument choices for me.

Still sounds funky

Ei mitään ihmeellistä, tosin kiva oli kuunnella hiphopia "pitkästä aikaa", 2/5

Foundational yet also often overlooked or underated.

Fun and creative, with great beats and most importantly - no cringey skits, a rarity in 90s hip hop!

Not bad but too repetitive and without any standouts to me.

As far as the hip-hop that we have been given on this list, this one was one of the more enjoyable selections. It had a funky rhythm, and the lyrics did not want to make you cringe.

I'm not sure i'd listen to this again, but it was kinda unique.

Is that double kick in Dawn Of The Dreads??

Festive hip-hop

Back in the early '90s, when hip-hop was finding its many voices, Arrested Development stepped out the cypher in dashikis and barefoot wisdom, offering something the streets weren’t used to: spiritual healing with a funky backbeat. Their debut, 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of..., was a love letter to the everyday Black experience, rooted in Southern pride, community upliftment, and unapologetic vulnerability. Frontman Speech wasn’t afraid to open up—sometimes to the point of sermonizing—but even when the message got heavy-handed, the groove kept it grounded. The album sprawls a bit, clocking in long and sometimes losing focus, but its heart is undeniable. The standouts still resonate: “Mama’s Always on Stage” is a tribal celebration of womanhood; “Give a Man a Fish” pairs a streetwise proverb with a buttery piano line and a singable hook; “Natural” floats on mellow vibes; and “Tennessee” remains a soulful prayer for lost roots, forever etched in hip-hop memory. Before gangsta rap gripped the culture with steel-tipped realism, Arrested Development carved out a lane of earthy introspection and cultural pride. It didn’t last long in the spotlight, but for a brief, beautiful moment, the vibe was all theirs.

Yesterday generated Stand! by Sly and the Family Stone and this album samples that a couple times. What a cool coincidence. This is solid, but why would I listen to this when groups like A Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul were doing the same thing, but better. Favorites were People Everyday and Mr Wendal

Love this album, and used to listen to it a lot as a teen. I will say giving it a spin 30+ years later, it would benefit by cutting a few tracks that are more like interludes. Eventually the album just feels like it goes too long, and would have been better with about 10-15 minutes shaved off the runtime. Still a fantastic album with strong messages throughout. 4.5 / 5

3/5

Wow. When this was popular, I HATED it because I heard Tennesse and Mr. Wendall all the frigging time. Today, with some life seasoning under my belt, I have a newfound reverence. Some is a bit hokey, but there's a lot of depth to the lyrics I didn't truly understand or appreciate back then.

Fav songs: mama's always on stage, people everyday, Mr. Wendal, Fishin' 4 religion, dawn of the dreads, washed away 8,5/10

Not really my thing but well executed

Some of the best older rap I’ve heard Production is great Mr Wendell, banger of the week?

God this album stinks. Theres like two tracks that are a vibe (“U” and another one) but almost everything else is offensive. And this shit has the audacity to be an HOUR??? I feel like theres a much smaller more reasonable album waiting to be carved out. The combination of the ack ass ironic beats and silly singing mixes poorly with the semi experimentation YUCK ONE

The music is ok. I recognize several songs. I just don’t relate or feel any connection with this.

Loved it in ’92, still kinda great. Smart, funky, hopeful hip-hop that aged better than most of my playlists. On revisit it’s less of the politics I remembered, more average Christian vibes.

Really enjoyed this one! It was a bit cheesy but for the most part really held up. The sample on People Everyday was fun.

- was ganz geil! 3-4/5

This is a solid hip-hip record, for sure. Favourite tracks: Man's Final Frontier, Mama's Always On Stage, People Everyday, Mr. Wendal, Fishin' 4 Religion, U.

Deze site leert mij dat hiphop niet echt mijn ding is

I’m not a fan of hip-hop, but this album genuinely surprised me. Arrested Development’s debut blends thoughtful lyrics with soulful, organic instrumentation that feels more like storytelling than typical rap. Tracks like “Tennessee” and “Mr. Wendal” stood out—not just for their catchy rhythms, but for the depth behind the words. There’s a warmth and sincerity throughout that makes it easy to connect with, even if hip-hop isn’t your usual genre. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, and honestly, I’ll probably give it another listen soon.

Decent beats, but this is just way too preachy and corny for my taste. It's giving youth pastor vibes. Tennessee however is a banger.

so overrated - so much better hip hop in that time span.

Nice album but not a classic to me

Oh, nice! I've known and liked this album for a long time. Happy to see this. Your alternative, friendly neighbourhood hip hop. Hip hop *band*, even. I'm not entirely sure what I would make of it if I heard it for the first time right now today, but heh, I don't have to. It's good, it's got bangers and if I scroll through my reviews so far, it surely has to be a 5.

nice sound. bought this when it first came out

not my style but wow...love the beats and meaningful lyrics in every song, they just spoke about everyday life and history and toughness, i like mr wendel with the name, it reminds me of mrs dalloway

No matter how much hip-hop they throw at me, there’s nothing I really enjoy. And this, I particularly did NOT enjoy.

Haven’t yet heard a hip hop album yet that I like; this being no exception.

8.5/10

Decent listen!!

Has old spiritual advisor "Oldest man in hip hop" Spreadsheet 💻💻💻💻 Vibes 🪬🪬🪬🪬

1992. I just can't see why this album is part of the 1001 process. Mr. Wendal can do one, and take his nondescript 90s MTV fodder with him. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ Lacks identity ★★☆☆☆(4/10)

Not bad, but the songs started getting really religious and preachy about halfway through, which I wasn't expecting. The instrumentation was really cool though, and I had fun.

Weiß nicht. Hat mich irgendwie nicht angesprochen.

Whatever. Funky instrumentals

I love the different vibe and their approach to music, especially in an era that was so hip hop and hard rap focused.

Cool fusion of soul, blues, hip hop and africana. My favorites are U, Natural (moments remind me of Prince), and Washed Away just because it's a really odd piece about the evils of mankind being some kind of water snake that's going to drown out the world. I can totally appreciate this for it's positive message and creativity but mostly not so much my thing.

Mr. Wendal is serious nostalgia! I was only familiar with that song and Tennessee, so it was fun to hear this entire album. I like its sparkly, optimistic nature and really love the lyrics and how many topics they speak so poetically and meaningfully on, especially the songs about spirituality and finding your way in life.

A good fusion of rap & jazz, the lyrics were good but could get heavy-handed and too preachy at times. The beats were great though

Off the bat, I like the name of the album, the cover. Already a cool vibe. Great music that's nice to listen to but also has a very direct, well-stated message for listeners. "The moral of the story is, you better look very hard at who you're steppin' to, 'cause you might get killed or shot and it's not worth it. Africans need to be lovin' each other and unite." Wow not only is it politically good but it sounds great too!

I love the progressive impulses that motivate this album and the early 90s hiphop sounds but oh my god "Children Play With Earth" is so funny: "Okay, the way kids are living is 100% European African boys and girls: Set down your Nintendo joysticks right now Unplug the television and make way for an old vision Which will now be a new vision Yes, Headliner, lay the foundation Dig your hands in the dirt (that's right) Children play with earth (that's right)" As a kid I did spend time running around outside and playing in the dirt but I also loved videogames and I cannot think of something less likely to work than telling kids to put down the Marios and go play with "the earth that eventually will take you"

I feel like this record tries too hard to be a conscious hip-hop album. Some of the lyrics were just too weird, notably most of the lyricism in "Natural". I enjoyed most of the production, but there were also some unusual instrumental choices, especially found in the latter half of the record. Favourite Track(s): Fishin' 4 Religion Least Favourite Track(s): Natural

I absolutely love this album. It never ever leaves my CD stack in my car. Hits are Mr. Wendal (who I think is friends with Mr. Jones) and Tennessee. Positive, groove-filled 90’s hip hop brilliance. See also Dream Warriors.

People Everyday Mr. Wendal Tennessee

Pretty experimental Lots of weird messages in the songs

Disappointed with how boring this album is. There's one intensity level for the entire album, and it just turns into a lull that I didn't find engaging. Certainly different for 90s rap, but not for me unfortunately. Top tracks: Raining Revolution, Dawn Of The Dreads

Not something I would listen to super often, but I enjoyed it. I appreciate the spiritual themes. I have a hard time understanding why this album is considered influential, but it is still cool.

New to me music - wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed it, despite repetitive lyrics. Nice to hear hip-hop music that's not all hos, dicks, guns & drugs.

Un álbum de la época dorada del hip hop americano, uno de los primeros del rap sureño, más espiritual y político, en oposición directa al gangsta rap de su época. Musicalmente es muy funky y divertido, lleno de coros y partes cantadas con mucha energía. Las letras me han gustado especialmente: transmiten un mensaje revolucionario, a la vez que optimista y positivo, aunque algunos temas resultan un poco machistas, bajo la excusa de una admiración a la mujer negra que suena condescendiente y paternalista. La producción es algo pobre, pero tampoco le resta demasiado. Rap divertido, inteligente e influyente, aunque un poco largo y que, a estas alturas, suena algo anticuado. Creo que lo voy a olvidar bastante pronto.

Great 90s hip hop album. Sooooo 90s!!!

I had this and loved it and forgot about it. Excellent excellent.

This isn’t an album that’s in my algorithm but I enjoyed it. Its positivity is refreshing even if it’s early 90’s. Liked Tennessee best.

The TV show unironically clears this.

Sounds of it’s time but still sounds good.

bleh

Eh felt verrrry dated

I’m down with the way some tracks blend the electro hip-hop elements with guitar. That stuff sounds pretty good, but most tracks have one or two distracting elements that just ruin it for me, be it excessive record scratches or shrill backup singers. The frontman seems to have a great stage presence though, and his rap sounds cool- slow and rhythmic enough to follow easily while staying quick and even enough to sound impressive. This is probably a 2.5 for me mainly due to personal preference, but I’ll keep it at a 3. It’s a weird split. Some tracks have a real communal energy about them, feeling effortless cool, but others are a pretty hard miss.

Lower rating because I’m not a huge fan of the early hip hop sound and flows, but was really drawn in by the beats in this. Really fun to hear funky and kind of out-there beats made with analog equipment. Though I don’t love early rap flows, almost always gonna love the lyrical content like I did with this album. Poignant, meaningful, and well-written. Fav Track: Fishin’ 4 Religion

Oh no, back into a hip hop phase. This album was different and more interesting than most of the more gangsta type stuff with violent or misogynist lyrics, rounding up to a 3 despite several tracks having the smudgy rubbing sound that gives me misophonia. 2.5

An okay album, I liked Mr Wendell and Give A Man A Fish the most.

A classic blend of new wave R&B for your early 90s dreams.

The biggest thing was that a number of songs repeated the lines over and over at the end. I felt a fadeout could have been more suited. I remember hearing "Mr. Wendel" on the radio and MTV. Maybe it's age, but I enjoyed it more now than back then. There were other tracks that I enjoyed, but the repetition did get a little grating. Top tracks: "Tennessee," "Washed Away," "Mr. Wendel," "U"

I remember liking this album more when I was a teen. Like People Everyday; I can remember singing the chorus. But when I relisten to the verses, while the lyrics are good, the beats around it are so-so. Mr. Wendal is still a great song, incredible lyrics put to a great beat. But there's not many other standout songs for me except for U, Natural, and Tennessee. Don't get me wrong, the whole messaging of this album is great. It's positive and soulful and it showcases hip hop in a way that isn't just gangsta rap, which was all the rage at the time. But I didn't quite feel that strong connection I was expecting.

Eh, I remember trying to get into this album when it came out - everyone was raving about it and it didn't do much for me. Still doesn't, even now that I'm trying to be a lot more open minded. The songs all feel like they drag and the aspirational lyrics just don't connect with me (which might be a function of not living a disadvantaged life - does it say something that I find optimistic rap boring? Then again, I often find gangsta rap uncomfortable - maybe there's a middle ground, but this ain't it). Tracks I liked most: Mr. Wendal, Fishin' 4 Religion, Washed Away. Most awkward track: Natural - settle down, Speech. I'm uncomfortable on behalf of the girl he's singing to.

fun

I was taken in as much as anyone back in '92 by the 3 singles from this. I subsequently bought the album and remember being a little disappointed. Firstly because the version of _Everyday People_ on here is not the version that that I'd heard in the charts, and listening back again, it still lacks collective power on display in that version, opting for a much slower, less vibrant beat. But more because, after a solid first few tracks, the album tends to meander for most of its near hour length, until we hit the penultimate track, the first single from it and my personal fave, _Tennessee_. I just didn't connect with it in the way I thought I would based on what I'd already heard. Listening back now, it's certainly not a bad album, and I had a fine time revisiting, but my opinion didn't really change and I didn't find a reason to return to it again as a whole.

Album 832 of 1089 Arrested Development -3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of... (1992) Rating : 3 / 5 Hip hop has never really been my thing, and this album doesn’t necessarily change that—but I’ve got to say, it was one of the more enjoyable listens from the genre so far in this project. I could probably even talk myself into bumping it up another half-point. (I did) What stood out most was that it avoided the typical tough-guy posturing and instead offered something that felt thoughtful, grounded, and message-driven. There seems to be some real substance here—definitely an album that would reward a closer listen to the lyrics. A good album, no doubt.

It's been decades since I listened to this. I saw them at a Lollapalooza in '93. They're part of a memory from a great day. The 3 hits are really standout. Extra stars for the nostalgia trip.

nah

If anything has come from this project, it’s forcing me to go deeper into 80’s/90’s hip hop. And I’m thankful for it. Love the samples, great beats, and I enjoyed it - but ultimately came away not entirely blown away. Maybe it will grow on me to be five stars, but for now, it’s a four.

Pretty good

This was fun

Not a huge fan

Pretty Bad

Muy bueno, me encantó musicalmente, la armónica y el bajo tope de gama. Lo escucharía seguido.

This album has aged a bit, but it's still good.

Ich bleib dabei! Rap ist keine Musik!

This didn't really land with me at the time of its release. It came across as a bit too lightweight, earnest, and preachy. But listening to it now I realise that more of it sunk in than I thought and I'm conscious that there is more of a jazz-spirit to it with its loose, flowing arrangements:. There's also a sort of jazz intent in terms of expressing deeper personal and cultural truths. It's a lot more introspective, and spiritually-rooted than I remembered. It definitely feels closer to jazz than hip hop and revisiting it today with a jazz ear (hearing mood, cadence, space, and social resonance) has opened it up in a whole new way.

No, not for me, none of it

Locura de album, me ha encantado. Me recuerda mucho a Funkadelic. Locura. 5/5

Why didn't it save my damn review? I gave a good one! This was a fun, cool album! New to me. I liked how it started more shreddy and pumped up and aggressive, and then it moved into something more jazzy and lounge-y and R&B. Enjoyed! Thank you!

funk, hiphop, world, rap, 1992 -> 2

4.1 Knew a few of these songs. Classic early hip-hop style which i love. great lyrics, super catchy

I love early nineties hip hop and Mr. Wendell is especially memorable. Overall fun and strong message.

It was a feel-good album, and I especially enjoyed the last couple of tracks.

Didn't enjoy this. Most of it passed me by without my even noticing.

Man am I a sucker for early 90s rap, especially the stuff that positively complements the gangsta rap that was so pervasive during the same time period. It’s undeniably fun. Add in more than a dash of social activism and I’m all in.

Was fun despite the political cringe

I dont know what they were trying to do but if this took 3 years they need to lock the fuck in

I loved this album when it came out, and I still do. Fun with a good dose of encouraging good social moral behavior.

Apparently I do like this type of "progressive" hip-hop. This album has some intriguing sonic atmospheres, it's funky, and the themes are more life-affirming than hardcore or gangsta, so a nice antidote to all that. I had never heard this before, but I dig the energy and the attitude, good stuff. Easy to listen to, didn't make me want to murder anyone!

The contrast between this and The Chronic is pronounced. I enjoyed it, it has a fun beat, and it wasn't inherently hostile right off the bat.

It's ok Will I listen to again: 1%

Ok, much better albums around this time in the same genra

Had a really nice time listening to this. Vibe is right. Its a 4.5 or a 4 but I feel like I should give it a 5 for some reason.

Not great

Quite enjoyed listening to this while cleaning the gaff

Tremendo sonido. Un hiphop cargado de capas de complejidad, funk, country, blues, todo suena en el disco. Además de estar muy bien cantado. Sonido noventoso. Tremenda recomendación.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WwMN5rVQdYo "My name's Colin and I'm here to say, stay off weed and pray every day!!" Felt more like a Hip-hop PSA I'd watch on Nickelodeon as a kid. Terrible beats, whack rhymes, preachy holier-than-thou attitude all over the place. "I'm not Ice Cube but I WILL shoot your ass if you step too close, but don't because we should unite together!!" There were fleeting moments of enjoyable tracks here and there, so this is more of a 1.5 out of 5 that I've rounded down.

Boring, repetitive. Preachy Beats aren't that good so it falls flat when they rap about "rhythm making the body move" "Dawn of the dreads" is awful. Album ran out of steam and overran its creative output long before it ran out of play time. Could not wait for it to be over.

This album always feels more interesting thinking about it compared to listening to it. The approach and overall vibe of this album is really great, but it doesn't come to it's full potential often enough imo. The hits here are really great and it's an album that easily listens away. No real bad tracks and the big hits are fun. Speech may not be the best rapper to ever do it, but he has a pleasant flow and some attention grabbing hooks. Still, there's a number of Hip Hop albums from this very year I'd listen to before it.

I remember first hearing of Arrested Development because they wanted to sue the people making the comedy show for using the same name. I never listened to the music until now, and to be honest I wanted to dislike them simply because I love the show. However, this was a pretty fun album to listen to. It had very similar vibes to other hip hop bands of this era, making me wonder if Arrested Development were actually a much bigger group than I realised. It’s not quite on par with Wu Tang and NWA, but it’s not miles off.

Good

Meh

joa geht so

Pleasantly surprised

well it was nice but it did not leave an impression

The greatest discovery on this album was playing the track ''Mr. Wendal', and immediately remembering the time an old school-friend had played the intro to me in his house one time, and how he loved the 'WaaAAahhH' bit. I'd wondered on that track a few times over the years, and now I know what it's from. A nice little slice of nostalgia there. Anyway! Broadly I think this is pretty fun, and it's quite a nice listen. I like how upbeat it is. Lots of funky grooves, and interesting music. 3.5 rounded down.

For rap this is actually pretty decent! It’s not really for me, but I can get why this one is on the list. Solid 3

норм, особых претензий нет.

If only we had all *really* listened to AD in 1992

This album is a time capsule, and a little preachy. It is unique for the time (the positivity!), but just seems so dated. 3/5

I am not a fan of hip hop at all…BUT this disc had some really fun funky grooves, great creativity, and some solid vocals with an overall positive fun feel to it. I am surprised to give a hip hop album such a high rating but it was a pretty solid effort.

Absolutely fascinating album concept and ethos for this group. I think you have to take the bad with the good here in terms of it's message. It's a bit like the 12 step AA process - effective messaging up until the parts about god, which is where it gets divisive. "People Everyday" is the first example of some surprisingly good production on this album. Especially for the early 90's, the production choices and beats are surprisingly timeless and mostly unobtrusive! "Fishin' 4 Religion" is my favorite here purely for it's beat. It's got a great pocket, great groove, and whether thats a sample or just a looped vocal in the background, it's fantastic. I think it's a fair critique of organized religion too? It's kinda hard to parse through it all, so much is said here. But I like the idea that he feels comfortable enough to recognize some good things about general religion whilst pointing out the many flaws large churches tend to have. Any which way about it, it's a nodder. "Give A Man A Fish" got a bit existential for me as a listener. To realize this album was made over 35 years ago, and many of the societal questions and injustices this song brings up havent been anymore solved today - it was a lot to take in. Especially the lyric "raise your fist but also raise your children so when you die the movement moves on / cuz with the revolution aint no future in front of yall / direct your anger love nothings ever built on hate instead love your life tackle the government the spooks that break down the door are heaven sent". Wow! That's a lot to swallow in a few bars. So many thoughts come up about the movements of today that weren't around then, but this still could be directed at. That was when this album was at it's best. It's not all interesting conscious bars though. This group kinda hammers it into your head over and over again that family and faith are the answer to everything. Also the song "Natural" gets strangely horny and im not even sure if it's trying to be a commentary on lust or if he's just actually supeer horny, there wasnt enough nuance for me to tell? This certainly shouldnt be a rappers rap album either, my ears arent great for this but I know that it's not super varied or intricate in it's delivery, which makes the length of the album a bit hard to slog through at times. All in all, I commend this album for the amount of prolems it takes on in the world, whether I agree with all it's solutions or not. There's something to be said for any art that attempts to take the route of grounded peace and doesnt come off completely corny - at least not the whole time. Interesting 3/5

solid!

Unremarkable. Boring. Not my thing.

Classic, love it. An album, along with Madvilliany began my love of hip hop. Joyful, positive…no hoes or drugs.

Positive hip-hop, somewhere between De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Dream Warriors (East Coast) and Outkast, Goodie Mob, Little Brother (Southern), Arrested Development arrived at the gangsta juncture of rap's evolution. While they're no bums when it comes to constructing catchy tracks, their anti-gangsta crusade is both unsubtle and uninformed: 'But he wouldn't stop and I ain't Ice Cube / But I had to take the brother out for being rude.' The genius of hip-hop manifests thru the convergences of opposites: Ice Cube coexists w/ Digable Planets, Above the Law w/ A Tribe Called Quest. Gangsta is not necessarily 'anti-black.' Speech is a funky moralist, but he is also self-righteous. Best track by far: 'Fishin' 4 Religion.' True & groovy.

These rhymes and rhythms still sounds fresh and really fun. They are complex and thoughtful, but the groove emerges organically. The message is timeless (unfortunately) and important — sometimes (rarely) the message doesn’t fit within the rhythm and the rhymes are a little forced. Really a great album. A four — but could potentially be a 5 if i listened to it enough to become familiar.

Legal. Curto essa pegada afrohippie que alguns albuns de rap tinham no inicio da decada de 1990. As letras são positivas e divertidas, sei lá, um negócio bem family friendly (tirando a parte que ele diz que queria estar dentro da mina, mas até isso não foi tão explicito quanto as letras dos seus contemporaneos). Produção agradável também. Mas é aquilo, não mudou minha vida, e sei que existe rap muito melhor por aí 3/5

2.5/3

Smooth

This is overall a good album, but every song lasts a minute or two too long, which causes the album to last 20 minutes too long.

Finally, a hip hop album I can actually say I enjoyed. I had some expectations coming into this based on what I’d read about it celebrating positivity, and those expectations were met. Mama’s Always On Stage immediately struck me as being highly listenable, I loved the inclusion of blues harp, and the rest of the record remained at a similar level of quality. It was very well produced. Unless there’s some big unexpected surprise waiting around the corner, this will likely be the only hip hop through this project that scores a 4 from me.

This album was just a mess for me. It just couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. I know AD was innovative in early hip hop but it just seems like a lot of unnecessary noise now. It’s fun to go back for a listen, but it just didn’t hold up as to something I was happy to hear again. Tennessee will always be a radio favorite, but the rest I could leave behind.

I’ve never heard this album before, but I really liked it. Tennessee is good.

I thought it was an interesting listen as an opposition to the classic gangster rap album. I liked it but didn't love it.

I really wanted to like this but maybe because I was trying to get work done I just found it super abrasive. I was so relieved when it ended. I like the idea of more uplifting hip hop, but I wouldn’t listen to this one again.

I've heard it prior and enjoyed it. At a listen back I think it is both surprisingly advanced in its style for the era and sadly still relevant in terms of its revolutionary message.

Initially disappointed seeing yet another hip hop album (I’ve been getting bombarded lately) but this was definitely something different! I tend to value vocals musically rather than lyrically, so this was a breath of fresh air, hiphop-wise. 3.5/5 for the unexpected album

I was so into Mr. Wendel as a kid I convinced my parents to get this for me from Columbia House. But I think this was the first time I’ve listened to the whole record. And it’s fine. Not as good as ATCQ or De La Soul - but similar in feel.

strong 3.5

Surprisingly good

Some songs on here I kind of like. The positivity makes it a little easier to enjoy.

What kept this album from being truly great is its length, it's about 20 minutes too long.

Some boring ass Christian hip hop 3/10 Favourite: None Least Favourite: None

honestly not a terrible album

Primera semana de mayo con éste disco, con una banda que creo ubicar de nombre. Sumo la recomendación de hoy a los álbumes para poner de fondo mientras se trabaja. Hasta mañana.

Takie 3/5. Nic szczególnego, ale też nie męczy

Cool

apparently I do like hip-hop. but it has to have funk elements in it.

Not my thing, but overall not a bad album.

Listened to this a lot when it came out, just enjoyed it’s positive feel, still do on listening today, 4 Star

Ehhh. It's an album I guess. I liked Fishin' For Religion but the rest of the album kinda sucks. A real shame, I thought this would be pretty good.

This is one of the best hip-hop albums I've ever heard. Where other hip-hop albums fail by lack of musical diversity, this album has so many different stories and vibes to it. And upon further listening, I find the songs more and more enjoyable to listen to. It's probably a 4, but almost all of my 5 albums are rock, so I could use a token Hip-Hop album in their.

I liked the beats, it was finally a hip hop album that didn't run itself into the ground with the same idea played over and over for 50 minutes, but the vocal delivery felt vey dated.

Lame. Fucking hate hip hop

Only really knew the hits from this record, but overall I liked the vibe and empowerment message. Washed Away was a good closer.

I don't like it.

donas

2.5

Hip hop doesn't really impress me, I guess. It doesn't help that the lyrics are entirely unsubtle. This one's not bad, it's just not for me.

Very listenable slice of Native Tongues-influenced rap, with three big singles.

look obviously im a little out of my depth here but while im all for idealism, it doesn't surprise me that the afrocentrism Moment in pop culture was as fleeting as it was if it was as much about erasing contemporary black culture as this album implies it was lol. speech loves pointing out that black culture is defined by oppression but his solution on here is a flimsy (and often highkey conservative) escapism that just kind of erases the full breadth of past and present white supremacy. identity-policing tracks like people everyday all but flat-out blame individual people for being victims of antiblackness because of how they present themselves to white culture, like be so fr man. i like some of the beats on here but man i truly cant abide speech lmao. his performative nonthreatening "positivity" vibe does not mix well with his famous condescension, and like its not even like he's wrong sometimes but there is an utter lack of gravity that makes it seem like he doesnt even understand the seriousness of the things he's high and mighty about, again because he mostly seems to conceive of everything as an individual choice. at least this isnt the album w/ the abortion song lmao

It was OK

Some good stuff but a little padded.

What a blast from the past! I had kind of forgotten how great this was and am glad to be reminded!

Love this album!

Uansett hvor mye rap jeg hører på så forblir det akkurat like repetitivt, umelodisk, kjedelig og pretensiøst som alltid.

A top tier positive hip hop album. It can be a little earnest from time to time. Speech is talented and the music is top notch.

01) Man's Final Frontier - 6,0 02) Mama's Always on Stage - 7,0 03) People Everyday - 8,0 04) Blues Happy - / 05) Mr. Wendal - 9,0 06) Children Play with Earth - 6,5 07) Raining Revolution - 7,5 08) Fishin' 4 Religion - 7,0 09) Give a Man a Fish - 7,0 10) U - 7,0 11) Eve of Reality - 6,0 12) Natural - 7,5 13) Dawn of the Dreads - 7,0 14) Tennessee - 10,0 15) Washed Away - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,36 (74/100) Current ranking: 269/523

It was ok, I liked other hip hop albums from this era better though.

It was fantastic back in 1993, and it's still fantastic now.

It’s been quite some time since I listened to 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of...by Arrested Development. I’d pretty much relegated them to the group who does the song Tennessee. A song I still enjoy from time to time. I remember when this came out in ‘92. I even owned the CD for a while. It was different, funky and had something to say. And while I liked it, the majority of the music didn’t seem to stick with me long term. Part of the disconnect, I think, was I didn’t feel the music was really meant for a twenty something white boy. And I was probably too immature to appreciate it. So after listening to 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... for this project, I think my appreciation did improve. The funky beats still land. The album still flows nicely. The message still feels positive, but also a little preachy. It sounds 90’s, but not dated. All in all, I do still like it. However, while my appreciation might’ve gone up, I still don’t feel like I’d play this album any more frequently than before. Therefore, 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... by Arrested Development will get a 3 rating for me. 3/5

I always liked this band.

This was a blast

This was the first CD I ever bought. Great album, but it's not as good as I remember it being.

Got this album from BMG or Columbia House or some such. Loved it then but haven't heard it in decades. But it is still awesome. I used to know every line to Mr. Wendel, and shockingly enough I was still able to recite most of them. So so good.

A unique part of the world of music

it really had its place at his time but i feel this one album fades away for me but it has still good jams and tunes. Not really listenable on repeat or casually for me. (2.5/5.0)

2,5

Great. New it in HS

Rentoa ja aurinkoista räbää! 3.5/5

enjoyable! Not my all time favorite but has a lot of charm

3.5

love the vibe. the beats are incredible and the lyrics are great

Funky hip hop with depth in the lyrics. The funk beats and bass had me bumping the whole time. Definitely seems like an influence to Outkast among others, very forward for it's time

That’s more like it. I’ve always liked People Every Day and Mr Wendal, and the rest of the album stands up to them. Really really good.

Definitely one of the better hip hop / rap albums I've listened to on here so far - it's got a bit of a gospel vibe to it which I appreciate, everything's a bit more vibrant, it's a bit of a party atmosphere, everyone's having a good time and singing together, I just wish it was a little less preachy. Okay, a lot less preachy.

Solid album. Good messages. Will definitely be relistening.

There is something deeply lame in this album. Somewhere down there is a Nugget of the cringe. Idk man this had very good production and not very good vocals in my opinion. The content feels very preachy and just like I'm being talked down to. Idk if I'm reading that right but that's what I felt in the moment. And it's just old. Nothing against the Olds but it's too close to hip a hop a hip and to the hop for my taste. Not it's own fault but it still is either way.

3 years, 5 months, and 2 days later... still the most fun you can have dancing in your office chair.

I've never listened to this album the whole way through before and I had no idea there was so much god in it. Even though I think 90's hip hop really was the best... this one just doesnt really do it for me.

i don't if it's just because i feel frustrated because i have been getting mid albums but ...

Arrested Development were between a rock and a hard place with this album. On the one side, they had gangster rap and hard-core rappers who were attacking them because they were nerding hip-hop, and rap and on the other side, you had the white people and the rock community who were speaking out against them for taking pride in their culture and for being proud to black and also singing and rapping about the problems that occur in their communities. Everyday People and Mr Wendel were huge hits for them and help make this album a phenomenal piece of history of the times. 4/5

Preachy, self-congratulatory, embarrassingly “deep” lyrics that haven’t aged particularly well. But at least it sounds good. Production and soundscape rules. Easy to listen to.

good but not really my vibe

Fire hiphop beats

Great album. Great throughout. Stand out song - Mr. Wendal

Very Bombast!

very groovy Favorite track: Mr.Wendal other picks: U, Natural, Tennessee

joa, ganz nett; kamen auch ein paar Erinnerungen hoch :-)

These beats are very, very boring

Pretty good upbeat rap. Bye bye

Listened to this on an early-morning flight, and it helped put me to sleep... And I somehow mean that as a compliment. Some cool sounds and chill vibes on this record.

Vastly preferred the 2nd half to the 1st.

3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... has a chill, jazzy vibe that definitely reminds me of A Tribe Called Quest — just not quite as polished or memorable. The positive messages are cool, and there’s no denying Arrested Development had a unique sound when this came out. But overall, the album feels a little uneven and hasn’t aged as well as some of its early ‘90s hip hop peers. Still, a solid listen if you're into conscious rap with a laid-back flow. That said, tracks like “Tennessee” and “Mr. Wendal” still hold up and offer a nice dose of nostalgia. It’s clear they were trying to do something different in a genre that was heading in a more aggressive direction, and I respect that. I just wish the rest of the album packed the same punch those standout songs did.

There's just... A vibe around Arrested Development that I have a hard time getting past. It's all summarized in this quote from Robert Christgeau, where he says that "their short-term commercial success was a long-term musical fraud--limp, sententious rap feel-goodism quickly forgotten once it failed to drive the scary stuff away." I get the impression that they were only as praised and rewarded as they were because they vehemently anti-gangsta rap. And I get it. As much as I love a lot of gangsta rap, I'm not gonna act like there's not a lot of shit it should be rightly criticised for, particularly its treatment of women. It's absolutely pervious. Plus, hey, I'm generally down for the group's mission to promote love instead of hate. It's something I try to live by, myself; lifting up the stuff I love instead of wasting time focusing on what I hate. I figure I'll be happier for it in the long run. Problem is, the group's leader, Speech, comes across to be insufferable sanctimonious. Like he's standing on a pedestal of soap boxes, burning judgement into me as he stares down his nose. He raps in a tone of voice like he's so humble and wise; dispensing simple yet life-altering words of wisdom. But I'unno, it feels like he should be telling me to pull up my pants and eat my vegetables, with the smugest energy imaginable radiating. It was honestly so distracting to me that nothing else was really able to hit for me. Like, I should be giving all of the credit in the world to the Headliner for the beats and Dionne Farris for her amazing vocals — y'know, both providing something to maybe distract me from Speech's preaching — but it's kind of hard when they're doing this in service of shit like "Mr. Wendal". Like, no, Speech, just because the homeless should be treated better doesn't mean they're secretly prophets and fountains of wisdom. Crawl out of your own ass and see what's actually going on around you, huh? Like, gosh, if I wasn't bored by this album, I was mildly frustrated by it. And knowing that I could've listened to worse (see their second album) doesn't make anything better. I mean, really, to paraphrase Todd In The Shadows, if the choice comes down between Snoop Dogg and these guys, they lose, every time. Snoop at least never talked down to me about how things, "unh, **should be**." I'unno. I'm at a 2 with this thing. If I could ignore Speech and just vibe with it, maybe I'd at least be generous enough for a high 3, but nah. I'm good with a 2. (And seriously — what the hell was "Warm Sentiments" on that second album? Like, oh my goodness, Speech, shut your entire mouth, I swear.)

Shame about that followup, eh? But seriously, this is some pretty damn good 80s hiphop. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 4.5. I gotta talk myself into it one way or the other. I loved around 80% of this album, and that 80% generally includes the instrumentals, the vocals, and a really nice chunk of the lyrics – this has fabulous production, really strong flows for most of the tracks, and I do love a lot of the messages here when they’re not overly preachy. The 20% of this album I didn’t like is overly preachy, and it has me absolutely trapped – I feel really close to bumping this down to a 4 on the sole account of just how god damn preachy towards the gospel this ends up being the longer it goes – all this talk about purity, finding God, and returning to the soil with the amount of biblical references, allegories, and allusions… it just becomes too much. I tolerated it through the first 12 tracks or so because it’s done in a really clever way that doesn’t feel heavy-handed, and flows really nicely towards the ideas of unity that are usually presented well enough throughout this album. Track 13 is what sort of finally made me put my foot down, though, because it strikes me as… fake feminism? Again, 1992 vs. 2025 and all that, but the lyricism on that track feels like it hasn’t aged as well, especially in comparison to how lovely “Natural” is right before it. I don’t think it’s possible to be too feminist, but it is possible to take it to the point where it feels vaguely creepy. Specifically, the use of “females” just gave me a sort of ick, because it hasn’t reflected well into how we talk about women nowadays. Tennessee is a fantastic track, no complaints about that, but goddamn, that last track just struck a nerve in a way that makes all the preachiness of the earlier tracks feel worse. Earlier on, the album draws a distinct line in the sand between “brothers” and “gangsters” (sometimes with the N-word used in place of the latter). I can’t speak to racial makeup & stereotypes like that; it’s not my conversation to have as someone who isn’t a black person… but it does feel really, really awkward in 2025. It acts as such a strong pushback against the gangsta rap that came into effect in the late 80s and early 90s, and it hasn’t aged well. It doesn’t read quite as “unifying” as it probably should be. If it was unifying back then, then power to it, but given modern-day rhetoric about “the good ones” and “the bad ones” that racist people feel emboldened to speak on nowadays, it truly feels awkward & dated in a way that feels kind of uncomfortable. So, yeah, that 20% of the album really stings for me. And yet, that 20% doesn’t feel like it should override the 80% of that which I did like – when this album isn’t being extremely overly heavy-handed with rhetoric that hasn’t aged well, it is a genuinely great showcase of some of the future flows, production, & general messaging that would better integrate more spiritual topics into the “heavier” rap as the decade went along. For 1992, I think this is a remarkably strong album for most of the tracks; again, the preachiness comes down to toleration & perspective, and for me, if only 2 or 3 tracks don’t click like that on a 15-track album, you’ve gotta be doing something right. It probably did have a lasting impact & impression on a lot of the more socially conscious rappers that would emerge in the years to come, and I think that deserves its flowers. So, yes, it’s a 4.5 that I will bump up to a 5, but with the caveat that it hasn’t aged well in the approach to its messaging. Objectively, there is nothing wrong with using your platform to spread a message of unity like this, and I cannot imagine that the sort of differentiation between “brothers” and “gangsters” isn’t meant as more of a framing device for the members of the group to get their points across & set themselves apart from a musical standpoint. It is not *their* fault that the messaging has been co-opted by bad faith actors who have twisted it to this point, and I get the feeling that if they had another crack at an album like this, they’d be able to more carefully choose their words to avoid such a thing. The lyrics on this prove that to me, because they’re usually too damn good and too damn vivid to not evoke some type of really nice imagery. Ultimately, it’s a funky album, with a lot of great beats, great flows, and great lyrics, dragged down a bit by the approach to its messaging, & the length of the album (57 minutes is crazy here, given how much it sort of spins the spiritual wheels). It is a 4.5, straight up, but I enjoyed enough of this that I think it gets the bump up to a 5 for the website. Certainly no less than a 3.

Low 3 The vibe is good. I have nothing bad to say about it, but nothing feels great either

nifunifa

ta bueno, medio monotono

Et andet forsøg med hip hop.. Musikken trækker op, men istedet for det hårde gangster liv, så får man her belærende salmer.. Det var måske den eneste måde at fucke genren mere op på....

Dejlig befriet for Gangsta Rappens stupide toksiske maskulinitet. People Everyday og Mr. Wendal er fede sange. Desværre er den førstnævnte markant bedre i det mix der blev sendt ud som single, end det der er på albummet. Resten af albummet virker lidt ligegyldigt.

-this is some of the most polite rap I have ever heard lmao… I do rather enjoy the early 90s Southern sound buuut it’s a little underdeveloped here -some of the songs hit very hard and I like what they did with the beats and unique sounds. I definitely didn’t dislike it! but prob wouldn’t listen to the whole thing again idk -Favorites are Mr. Wendel, Give A Man A Fish, and Washed Away

Has its moments. Better than some other shit on here.

it's funny, because i actually follow arrested development's very good contemporary releases, but I've never really listened to their earlier stuff, and i now feel like that was probably the correct course of action; the very rare act that has actually gotten better in their later career, it seems. this is not bad but it's very very much of its time. at times it even dips into the kind of sound you always hear in parodies of old school hip hop. again, it's good, but you're better off going and giving For The FKN Love and Bullets In The Chamber a shot

Non fa per me

This is a different style of rap from back in the day. It’s more positive and fun and was a nice listen. The album could have used some editing down on the number of songs in the back half and overall, it was a little too preachy.

Solid positive hip-hop in the vein of A Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul, just a lot less interesting then those, both in rapping and production. A few bangers but nothing special outside of those.

really liked this, great energy although tailed off a little at the end, really enjoyed it up to give a man a fish.

Great title!!! Some great songs, has its place on the list but I feel the overall production could be better!

Not really my thing, but one of the better hip hop albums on this list. I got through it, but not something I will listen to again. 3/5

Enjoyed this a lot. Always avoided these as I stupidly had it in my head that they would be no where near as good as the tv show, Arrested Development…. Unrelated and daft, I know, but that mental model is stuck in mind. And of course, it’s not as good the greatest tv show of all time, but it’s a pretty damn good hip hop record! Im not sure how often I’ll return to this, I imagine I will at some point, but either way its one of the better hip hop records for me. And I can play most of it to my daughter without fear of too much bad language. I learned the hard way when I introduced her to Wu Tang

This definitely had it's own sound, quite different to a lot of other hip hop, particularly at the time. Different themes too, love when rap doesn't tread the same generic path. As an album, some songs were brilliant, the ones built around the vocals mostly, lots of good flow. A lot of filler too mind, needed to be about a third shorter. There was an underlying current that felt a bit dated too, not their fault cos it is but it put me off slightly. Want to listen again but enjoyed the first listen.

Sounds rather bland overall. Too middle-of-the-road, and I found the first few tracks boring, repetitive, and without a message. I got bored of the sampling too, and a lot of the concepts of the tracks was rather one-note. Inoffensive.

Thought this was pretty great mostly. This is what old school hip hop should sound like. No rapping about guns, bitches or bling. Knew a few bits and pieces, I assume from sampling in other music? I don't think it was all amazing, but there was enough here for a 4 I liked mamas always on stage, everyday people, Mr Wendal and fishing for religion. Reckon I'll be back

Tennessee, People Everyday, and Mr. Wendal are bangers. Tennessee was one of the first songs I saved on Spotify. However, the rest of the album doesn’t really match up as well. ATCQ does “positive” hip hop better imo. I heard Mr. Wendal and was like “this is so Schoolhouse Rock influenced” and then they sampled the verb song in U and my theory was confirmed

Kids bop gangsta rap

A little long, not to many musical highlights **the ATCQ review above was meant to be for this one

point8.

Enjoyed this. Mr Wendal takes me back to first year at school.

Speech is a good rapper. But maaan.. the lyrics are so annoying and preachy… it really took away from my enjoyment of the album, especially because the production is really interesting and unique! It’s not like they were trying to be a tribe called quest, I know they get compared a lot but they’re definitely distinct. This would be a five if the lyrics were less annnoying

Flojo.

Every part of this made me feel happy. Them mid-90s hip hop bits? No sketches? V. Good.

I hate that the "alternative hip hop" wave became just a footnote in the genre's history during the fruitful 90s. Arrested Development deserves a higher acclamation as one of hip hop's most interesting groups. This is an album full of life and musicality.

Besides “Mr. Wendal”, “People Everyday “, and “Tennessee”, the rest of the album was boring and monotonous. I appreciate that they tried to inject a positive message into rap, but I just found to be really bland.

Religious tinged 90's hip hop (my favourite because I can understand the lyrics) People Everyday Mr. Wendal Fishin' for Religion

Not particularly memorable.

Magari capolavoro maximus ma non ho vibrato, potrebbe essere colpa mia

Every song is catchy and most have a great message. Definitely a classic album that has for the most part stood the test of time and had a big influence.

Liked track 3, 5, 7

Oh that is a long album title! It's a breath of fresh air and is a shining example of how hip hop is different from rap. At its release in 1992, this type of music wasn't too common due to the rising popularity of gangsta rap. Of course, there's nothing bad with gangsta rap, but there's a fair amount of it on this list for this time period. This alternative hip hop album is restorative in contrast. And I won't lie--there was an added bonus of no misogyny. And songs like "Raining Revolution" or "Mr. Wendal" have great stories or messages. Their lyrics are strong and engaging! And of course Arrested Development included call and response, which I'm a sucker for but also is a great homage to Black culture. 3.5, rounding up.

As far as hip-hop goes, this was definitely the opposite of "hardcore". It was very chill and easy to listen to. I would say the lyrics and general contents of the album reflect this much more "at ease" approach to hip-hop, as well. Looking at this album and its influence on particular subgenres of hip-hop, it's easy to tell that this is yet another album that is on this project due to its historical significance. Once again, I wish this project focused more on albums that are noteworthy listening experiences rather than historically important listening. In my mind, they're not always the same thing. But I digress. All in all, the album was a pleasant listen, though I wouldn't really say I "loved" it.

always liked this album and it was better than I remembered which surprised me

In the 1990s, I mentally filed Arrested Development under “rap for people who don’t really like rap”, but after listening to this album, I can see that was unfair - there’s some good stuff on here. I still think Mr Wendall is patronising though.

6/6

Still funky and very influential, it's a good listen. It'd be cool if it also included the single version of People Everyday, but you can't have everything.

An enjoyable listen.

Fine, but for an album from 1992 this sounds like it could have been from 1988. For a time when rap was changing so rapidly, I would expect to hear more innovative sounds from an album on this list.

Forgot how good that was

I owned the CD when it first hit and I only listened to who tracks on it with any regularity. I see why as I listen to the whole thing now. There is a lot of not catchy stuff in here. The good is really good though.

This was pretty fun and I enjoyed the instrumentation, but I just couldn't get into it fully. Maybe it's the fact that I usually struggle to enjoy hip hop and rap, but this album kind of bled together for me. 2.5 stars

Best Hip Hop album I've heard so far. Good samples, good amount of singing, most of the rapping is quite good. Standout tracks: Raining Revolution & U

I listen to a lot of hip hop and there's some things about this that I like a lot. Love the message and some of the musicality in the beats and mixes are cool. But the lyricism falls flat for me and the idea behind the album also doesn't really connect. 3 Years 5 months and 2 days isn't even that long for a band before they get a record deal.

Now the story of an average rap group who made an okay album, and the one writer who had no choice but to put it in his coffee table book. It’s Arrested Development. Arrested Development had been in the rap business a long time, but just couldn’t seem to get one in the can. Which makes sense. This is good but doesn’t really do much to distinguish itself, especially given its length. Or, put another way, I’m sure Egg is a great album.

good ol' school bops

3.5

To me, this is generic Hip-Hop, kind of what I was expecting. Though I don't have a passion for the music, at least it was fun, the beats were infectious and the songs were ok. I don't have an issue with this album at all, it's fine, it's good, but it might be another 3 years, 5 months and 2 days until I spin this again.

A must-listen.

If you can get past the extremely dated production, at times going as far to even claim something is a "funky bass line" when it's played on a Casio, you'll probably enjoy this album. It's an interesting piece of hip hip history where the imprint is clearly heard across future records in the genre. That said, I think this one drags on a bit too long, especially in the later half. You have four 4+ minute tracks to end the album that probably could've been cut to punctuate it a bit better. It's fun, but maybe not essential to this list.

Not my favorite flavor of hip-hop, yet its unwavering theme of positivity and empowerment breathes fresh air, without veering preachy or overwrought.

Funky jazzy hippy, kult

I honestly wanted to like this a lot more than I did but there were so many times I felt like I was really struggling to get to the end

Very good

More likable than expected tbh

Good Album. I am a white male, but even without being an African-American studies major this album does give you some idea of the good and the bad of their experience in 1990's in America. At times I felt like I was in on the joke, and at times felt like it was over my head (which it should be). I was a kid in Southern California when this came out, but had close black friends. This album recalls going to the beauty shop with Ronnie's mom while she got her hair did, Cross Colours clothes that I wanted to wear but didn't quite understand why I wasn't allowed....many other things that I wanted to feel a part of, but it was not my place. I digress. Great album, 5 stars!

I would not wait that long for this

definitely some good songs. some boring. decent. thought I would have liked it more though

A Schoolhouse Rock reference? You'll have to wake up really early to fool an old cat like me.