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

some interesting beats

As far as early pioneers of the Hip Hop genre, Arrested Development might not be at the top of the "most influential acts" list, but their material has aged pretty well, compared to a lot of the early stuff to come from that early era

It turns out 90s afrocentric hip hop is one of my vibes.

Easy to listen to hip hop. Interesting style.

It’s good and the singles I remember are bangers but I just wasn’t feeling it

Fav songs: - People Everyday - Fishin' 4 Religion

At the end of each day I look forward to seeing what my new album is going to be and I'm always disappointed when crap like this comes up. No matter how many hip hop albums this project tries to throw at me I'm 99% sure I'm not going to enjoy it and I'm not going to want to listen to it. This wasn't an exception. I guess there's always tomorrow...........

This was really great. I love how funky this era of hip hop was, and this album was a welcome introduction to Arrested Development. Favorite track: There's Always Money in the Banana Stand

Taki se hiphop z lat 90 z filmow instruktarzowych, tutoriali tanecznych gdzie bialy nauczyciel ubrany w luzne ubrania i przekrzywiona czapke pokazywal jak sie ruszac

This was nice to listen to, but there isn't a song that really caught my attention to 100% and it also is an album that I will probably never listen again.

Good album

Yaaaaay

6/10 Highlights: Mr Wendal Children Play with Earth

It hurts to not give an album that has both Tennessee and Mr. Wendell, but then there were U and Natural, which aren’t bad, but definitely not great, either. The majority of the album is spectacular, though, and I would listen to it again any day. Also, I believe that with the energy and message that Arrested Development rings, the world would be a better place, if there were more hip-hop along their style.

I am in love with this album. It’s political and fun and creative and just has such great vibes. I felt like I got something from each song.

not into hip hop

I love thia album, Even today, the album sounds fresh and relevant. If you're looking for hip hop that's intelligent, uplifting, and full of good vibes, then "3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of..." is a must-listen.

Well, this is interesting: gangsta-less rap. Refreshing and lively. Like it.

Relatively benign, hip/hop, hippy, trippy, afro, I never listen to it again.

first listen. interesting but not my cup of tea.

Hip Hop not for me...

Not for me

Nauseating positive black pride, black identity stuff, or at least that's what I took from it. OK, but I don't want to listen to a whole album of it, especailly one with tedious backing tracks, slow delivery of lyrics, and musical motifs I associate with 90s R&B, which I hate.

Not bad, in fact, I recognized several songs.

From the cover, I wasn't the album to start that way. This was such a fun album with high vibes throughout. I really enjoyed listening to it. Enjoyed the song "U".

This is one of those albums that is carefully thought out from the first track to the last. There is no filler. Every song connects and as a whole tells a story. It is beautiful and funky. Favorites: “U,” “Children Play With Earth” and “Tennessee”

Loved it!

Slept for 16 of 24 hours yesterday, this was a good lullaby, I only remember the first song

I forgot about this album. Reminds me of visiting my sister in college. Amazing how a few notes can bring you into a room from 30 years past, with the sounds, smells, people, everything so close you can touch them. But that's not the album. The album is wonderfully produced. Great grooves with layers of samples and instrumentation that add to the whole. The opposite of that Jurassic 5 nonsense I was subjected to a few weeks ago. An easy 5.

Arrested Development...what am I getting into here. Well I guess you can't judge an album by it's cover I thought it was going to be traditional African music. But no it's like funky hip hop music. OH! I had heard Mr. Wendal before. Oh shit, I remember hearing Tennesse! Gonna give this one a 3

Absolutely loving all of the beats. I also like the rapping style. It’s very conversational and easy to understand, with a chill vibe. I started to lose some interest toward the end, but still a good album. I’m surprised I haven’t heard much about arrested development before.

“I’ve made a huge mistake”, is not what I would say about listening to this album. “There’s always money in [90s rap]” “That was a a freebie” is what I would say about this album being placed on this list. If people ask why this album is on this list, “I don’t understand the question and I won’t respond to it”. After listening to this album, “I’m afraid I just blue myself”. These arrested development jokes doing anything for anyone? No? Damn. I did enjoy this album. A good change up from most 90s rap I know. Also shout out to Lin Manuel Miranda for copying one of these dudes flow

Some fun beats but the rapping is too weak for me to enjoy it. Keep in mind this dropped the same time “It Was a Good Day” by Ice Cube and the first singles of Illmatic came out. There was significantly better rap coming out at this time. Do I give it a 3 because I like rap and it was probably influential? *Insert Lord of the Rings Isildur “no” meme*

This is a classic example of 90s rap having incredible beats with lyricism that just ends up sounding corny 30 years later. I can see that it was groundbreaking in its era and there is a lot of meaning behind the lyrics, but goodness, rap certainly matured over time. There were a couple songs I enjoyed, but most of the album I would rather have just listened to the instrumentals. The baseline on Dawn Of The Dreads goes so hard. It wasn’t bad, I just don’t know if I’ll come back to it.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! Not a top album for me or anything like that, but I came in expecting some boring early 90's hip hop and was presently surprised by this album. The beats are cool, and the rapping is not bad. I was expecting to give this a 1 or 2 stars, but I think it's a solid 3 stars.

Instrumentally this album is great. The lyrics are so damn corny and preachy.

Just didn't really do much for me.

Really liked. Surprised by how many I actually knew.

Spectacular. Fun, organic, meaningful music.

Love how this album sticks too the classic early 90’s hip hop sound all while being original. Great lyrics and this album flows sooo well

I see how it influenced other artist! Not for me tho

3.75

Obviamente que as escolhas de hip-hop apresentam alta qualidade, só que eu simplesmente não tenho aptidão para escutar discos inteiros.

Musically pretty good

Couple of huge tunes in Mr Wendal and People Everyday but Tribe did it waayyy better.

Loved the whole album but didn’t find many singular songs that sticked to me

3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... is the debut album by American hip hop group Arrested Development. This alternative hip hop album began the popularization of the Southern hip hop genre which emphasizes spirituality, peace, and love, over the aggressiveness of gangsta rap that was dominating the east and west coasts of America. Although it was a ground-breaking debut album that was critically acclaimed at release, the popularity of gangsta rap continued to prevail as the most listened to hip hop genre. This album has been certified platinum in Australia & the UK, double platinum in Canada, and quadruple platinum in the US. This hip hop album was a lot different than any of the other ones I have listened to. It sounded more open and free flowing, allowing more dialog to take over instead of the faster raps. Although it was a fresh take on the hip hop genre, I do not like it over other types of hip hop and rap. Too slow and groovy for my tastes. But still, a fine and historic album.

Still lots of fun, couple great tracks, bit overlong and patchy as an album. 3.5.

“Tennessee” still slaps!

This album is refreshing departure from the gangster rap I've heard so far. Socially conscious lyrics and a mostly fun vibe. My pick are Fishing 4 Religion, U, and Tennessee.

Sure, it’s an evolutionary dead end for hip-hop but evolutionary dead ends can be super cool. Just ask the platypus.

Surprised me. Enjoyed the 90s hip hop!

I loved this album in ‘92 and enjoyed it again with this listen. Three very solid hits. It definitely sounds like the 90’s though- all of the record scratching! It was pretty original in its time and even now, really. I didn’t listen to any of their subsequent albums. Curious how their music evolved over the years. 3.8

There are some nice beats on here -- mostly fresh despite being 30+ years old. What feels most dated is the neo-Africanist conscious rap component, but that's what I like most about it. "Mr. Wendal" was a nice trip down memory lane. 3.6

Groovy, funky, old school

Cool und abwechslungsreich.

This is early 90's hip hop. It's a breath of fresh air in a time when Gangsta rap was ruling the scene, to have this solid, clean rap. This is hip hop that you could actually listen to in mixed company without fear of offense. SFW. Reminds me of A Tribe Called Quest Favourite songs: Dawn of the Dreads, Give a Man a Fish, Fishin' 4 Religion, U, Mama's Always on Stage, People Everyday Least favourite songs: Blues Happy 3/5

El primer disco de Arrested Development supuso un paso más en la evolución del rap. La apuesta de este colectivo de músicos por un rap alternativo, con bases sonoras inspiradas en el groove relajado sureño, el blues rural, la percusion africana, el funk y R&B melódico, era sin duda un gran avance. Sus mensajes positivos fueron mejor acogidos por el público del pop-rock, pero su llamada a la unidad de los negros, la igualdad y la fraternidad estaba muy lejos de las raíces contraculturales del estilo. Personalmente destacaría su homenaje a los "sin techo" en el tema "Mr. Wendal". También "Mama's Always On Stage", la bienintencionada "Give A Man A Fish", con su apelación al dicho "da un pez a un hombre y comerá un día, enséñale a pescar y comera siempre", y la plegaria con tintes religiosos "Tenessee".

Liked the album. Sounds a bit like Public Enemy mixed with more jazz/afrocentric influence. “Mr. Wendel” is a great song. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again

Surprisingly good!

WOW! If I had heard this instead of the rap I considered testosterone fueled, misogynistic, foul mouthed obnoxiousness, I would have given the genre more attention. Covering Sly Stone and making it fresh again! Rap I can understand! Cool vocals, music and a real drum kit behind. Oh my, they're quoting Steely Dan! I'm smiling so big! I'm dancing! I read some of the reviews, and see that some people found this corny. Maybe if they'd pull their heads out of their gangsta rap/heavy metal/punk worldview, they'd see there's a lot to be said for happy stuff.

Never heard of them, but really enjoyed this one! Catchy music, great bass!

Yea not bad

Pretty good.

I thought a lot of this album was mediocre to not great. And then the 6.5 minute final song hit and it was so awful it decreased my 2 or 3 star rating right to a 1.

My initial reaction to this selection was “oh no” but I rather enjoyed it. It was not something I would have picked, but it was decent.

This was great! I’m usually not a big rap fan but really enjoyed this. Will definitely go back to this and listen again

A little cheesy and a little overly long, but an otherwise pleasant and charming hip hop album.

a bit too corny

Always a fan of '90s hip

не е лошо и това

Loved this album. I’ve never heard of this band & this album came out the year I was born. I liked the themes they were sinigng about, and it was lots of fun beginning to end. I’d put this album on if I’m having a hard time & need a boost

It was ok. Not my usual style of music

Just not a hip hop fan. Sorry

Not bad but found it slightly boring. The only song I really loved was Fishin’ 4 Religion.

No…

Not my thing again, but it was nice that from the time period this wasn’t gangster rap. Made a nice change.

Nice to hear the singles again I guess, but I don’t think they were the radio edits I remembered (?). The rest just passed me by.

I own this, and didn't mind it at the time. Southern Hip-hop doesn't have that wonderful 'Coast vibe, which can only be a good thing. Nice and chilled out. So gets a low 2.

Annoying, and far too much nonsense going on.

Rating: 9/10 Amazing album. The production was fantastic, very sample heavy. The beats were very beautiful and uplifting and instrumentally everything sounded great. Lyrically this album is mostly about relationships and issues with the black community, which was approached in a thought-provoking and interesting way. Loved the combination of rapping and singing throughout the album, both of which were done incredibly well. This album makes you want to go outside and make some sort of change in the world and I am surprised I never heard it before, will definitely be coming back to this one. Favorite songs: Mama's Always On Stage, People Everyday, Mr. Wendal, Raining Revolution, Fishin' 4 Religion, Give A Man A Fish, U, Tennessee. Least favorite song: Children Play With Earth.

Kinda cool Very bubbly

probably wouldn't listen through again but i downloaded people everyday

Mr. Wendell and Tennessee are great. And there are other good songs. But not enough to get this past the 3.5 star hump that is dividing line between good and great. I hate to round down, but I don't feel like this quite belongs with the 4 stars on here. (If I could, I'd give it a 3.75, lol).

I like gangster rap but wish we had more of this feel good rap, too.

I feel like this is quintessential 90's hip hop. Well, at least one element of 90's hip hop

Very energetic and fun album, lots of textures and feelings

Nope, sorry, not my type of hip-hop. This is kinda (really) cheesy. I don't have any deeper opinion on this and can't even think of any quirky one-liner. In one ear and out the other. Two outta five.

Don't know them, but they sound like Tribe Called Quest meets Jock Jams. Cool bass lines and musical arrangement. But gets a little bit repetitive.

Not for me

Not bad but not my vibe

Okay, I'll be upfront. The past few years has seen my vision of Arrested Development skewered and distorted. How were they seen as the saviors of consciousness minded hip-hop that mined whatever the Native Tongues were doing up North and thus (seemingly) thwarted the prevailing success of gangsta rap? Only for them to become footnotes and jokes along the way? It all seems rather simple, what they offered was what those who were still on the fence with hip-hop wanted. The majority of it sounds dated yet I wouldn't consider it to be that bad. It just seems insignificant in the long term. If the record had sounded like Tennessee (the only reason this album became something) in spirit and tone, maybe I'd care a little more. Favorites: Mama's Always on Stage, People Everyday, Mr. Wendel, Raining Revolution, Give a Man a Fish, U, Tennessee, Washed Away.

A pretty awesome classic Hip Hip Album. Not my type of Hip Hop but I did really enjoy some songs. I just found that the Album dragged on for a just a little too long.

This is some feel good shit, and I'm actually digging it. I mean, the religious parts (which are a lot of the parts) can feel a little hamfisted, but it isn't groan-worthy like that of Christian rock. It just makes you feel sunny and happy, all in a thoroughly 90s way. I think the real killer here is that the love tracks here can feel "not like other boys" at best, and sort of predatory at worst. I mean, I know that was sort of expected as a direct response to gangster rap, but in a modern viewpoint it causes far more eye rolls than that it is competing against. But I cannot deny I was still grooving along with it for a good chunk of the album, and that has to count for something.

me copó bastante 8/10

Fun, funky and uplifting album. You can definitely hear its influences on southern hip hop.

Flashback from the 90s. Quality hip hop

I was somewhat hopeful going into this, being a fan of ATCQ and Diggable Planets, but this feels like an early, incomplete version of those bands' works. Lyrics aren't particularly amazing and it often comes across as preachy or even cheesy, that's when the lyrics aren't just the same 4 lines ad nauseum. The beats are decent enough, but once again it falls into the hip hop problem of having the album go on for way too long. 06/01/24

Ei kyl ysäri (tai mikään räppi) lähde

p680. 1992. 1.5 stars. Better than the average foul-mouthed (c)rap/hip-hop of the time. Well done of its kind but still not my thing at all.

Meilenstein der Hiphop Geschichte.

me gustaron algunos temas pero mmm como diría liam gallagher "not for me mate" 2/5. pd: seguramente lo escuche más seguido a ver si cambio de opinión, stay tuned

This is three days in a row of 80s-90s rap, but this one was quite a bit different than Ice Cube and Public Enemy. Those two albums were definitely a lot harder and I think a lot of the value was in the social commentary. This one was thematically much softer, with themes more about love and spirituality. Musically it was also more upbeat sounding and more of a light and fun listen. There's obviously a place for both of these styles, but I found this one to be a nice change of pace after the last two days, and given the harder rap that was dominating the charts mostly at the time (this came out 8 months before The Predator) I think it might have been perceived as a nice change of pace then too (though it definitely does not completely shy away from more difficult themes). \"People Everyday\" is one of the songs that does have racial themes at the forefront, and it's a really interesting update on Sly and the Family Stone's \"Everyday People\". \"Tennessee\" is also a really catchy song near the end of the album. I definitely struggle a bit with early-ish rap, but I really enjoyed listening to this one. It feels more timeless to me (both musically and thematically) than a lot of other rap I've heard from this time period. Favorite song: People Everyday Other: Mr. Wendal, Raining Revolution, U, Eve of Reality, Natural, Tennessee 12/31/23

This is the brilliant debut album from Arrested Development. It is a joyful, wise, and diverse collection of tracks from the band that created Southern hip-hop, with their unique sound. They combine rap, sampling, and remixing elements with traces of funk, soul, and R&B. This album met with wide-spread critical acclaim, and established Arrested Development as an influential group in hip hop and rap. Their positive, humble, thoughtful perspective sits in sharp contrast with the gansta rap that dominated that era (and most eras since).

Not bad. Not upset I heard it but probably will not listen to this again.

I remember when this came out and thinking it was such a nice change of pace. Maybe I'm getting cynical in my old age but it felt very manufactured this time around, like the whole image was dreamt up by a marketing department. Still liked it, but not as much as I remember. Just under 4 stars

A rap album for people who don’t like hip hop. Funky but preachy. Detached from youth culture. As if your parent made a rap album that was somehow pretty tight musically. It doesn’t matter I am parent myself now and fully agree with the sentiment that children should “let go of their Nintendo joysticks and go dig in the earth”, I am not interested in music as a teaching tool.

Surprisingly good. I usually dislike 90s hip hop, but this defied all expectations. Warm, uplifting, funky, spiritual album. The lyrics were enrapturing and (for the most part) relatable. And, for once, there were actual vocal melodies! Some darn sick beats rooted in blues, funk, and rock from earlier decades. This honestly has the potential to be a 5/5. What's stopping it is the crude 1-bar repetition that defines most of the hip-hop genre.

A breath of fresh air! This was fun and positive with a lot of atmosphere to some of the beats. Definitely can see the influence these guys had in the south. Production holds up like it could of dropped today. Mr. Wendal is such a timeless track. A bit corny at times but overall a great positive album.

Not for me

4-

30/100

Man. What are really refreshing piece of hiphop. Pre-Gangsta rap this album give us a glimpse into black America pre-Clinton. The struggles of economic and socio-political despair that are now seen as the hallmark of the time. Phenomenally written even if it doesn’t always hold up to modern scrutiny.

This was a lovely experience. It sounds a bit outdated in 2023, but it's just the normal outdated and not some bizarre ancient as is the case for many other albums on the list. I don't know if there is more arrested development on the list, but I'm sure I'll listen to their echoes on many other more recent hip-hop albums.

ambiency jumping hip hop positive it's like hip hop that makes you wanna frolick

I really liked this album. Great example of early 90s hip hop that wasn't gangsta rap. Mr Wendell was a great song, constantly on the radio at the time it came out, Tennessee was another good song. The beats on this album were good, funky basslines, and the rapping style was great, you can actually hear and understand the lyrics, which had lots of social commentary that was relevant at the time, and still is to this day

The production and the mixing are skillfully done, if a bit dated. Very positive lyrics. I’ve got nothing bad to say about it, but it’s just not my thing at all.

Meh. It's alright but suffers from its age.

Some really good tracks here, and I can hear the influence they had on Outkast (see Mama's Always on Stage) and even Childish Gambino's flow. While not a total knockout, most of the alternative/positive hip-hop flow of 3Y, 5M, 2D. Fav tracks: Mama's Always on Stage, Give a Man a Fish, Tennessee, Fishin' For Religion, People Everyday 3.5/5

A really enjoyable, if not totally consistent, listen. When it hits, it really hits! The southern soul and funk aspects make it stand out from other contemporary hip hop. I loved some tracks a lot: Tennessee, Give a Man a Fish, and People Everyday are outstanding. The album's themes of unity, peace, and revolution are resonant but sometimes err on the side of cloying or oversimplified positivity. Dawn of the Dreads was a bit of a low point for me -- that particular flow feels really dated and I imagine a bit of a throwback even at the time. Fave tracks: Give a Man a Fish, Tennessee, People Everyday, Eve of Reality, Fishin' 4 Religion

Wow! Jazz, Soul, 80's Hip Hop Rap, 90's New Jack Swing, everything wrapped into one! A master work of the time.

Another long hip hop album. Cheesy bars and samples

The Hootie and the Blowfish of hip hop in that they were seemingly colossal for a period of time in the '90's and then just as quickly the world got over them. And it was considered too "safe" (i.e. embraced by too many old white folks). They suffered the same curse that many other Best New Artist Grammy winners did, which is a shame because most of this holds up incredibly well. Maybe if their single "Tennessee" was called "Hennessy" their future would have been brighter. But I'm telling you, in 1992, the music press lost their collective shit and fell over each other to proclaim this as THE future of hip hop.

LOL these guys were CORNY. According to the personnel section on their wikipedia page, one of the band member's role was "spiritual elder." Man, get the fuck out of here with that shit. Also, "In November 2003, the group sued the Fox network over the name of the TV show Arrested Development."

I liked this album. Totally understand why it’s on this list. I just wish I liked it more. The good songs are amazing, but the rest are just kind of middling. I didn’t know much of Arrested Development outside of “Tennessee,” so I’m glad I finally listened to the entire album. “Mr. Wendal” is a great song that I know I’ll listen to a lot. But overall I was hoping for more from this.

Some songs were a bit weird but generally not bad

Thought I'd like this more Mr Wendal the standout track.

Genius

Not bad! This is the early 90s in a nutshell. It’s been 30 years since I’ve heard Mr. Wendal.

Digging the beats, differnt type of music... well, it's gangsta/af.amer./ rap... but a different flair to it... flare? anyway... I like some of it. not really my style, or level of intellect

Idk, I did not like it

Somewhat uneven but overall decent. Tennessee was the hit but Mr. Wendal is the banger. They should have been bigger and it's a bit of a shame that they couldn't stay together. But it's influence remains.

Funky hip hop! Highlight: Mr. Wendal, U, Natural

What an unexpected, fun album! I am not very familiar with hip hop, but I really enjoyed how upbeat and positive these songs are. It's not actually so much about the lyrics themselves (in fact, many of the lyrics lean a little too spiritual/Christian for my personal taste). It's more that you can just hear the lightness in their voices and I found it wonderfully contagious. I was especially fond of the beginning of the album, "Man's Final Frontier," "Mama's Always On Stage," and "Mr. Wendel," though I liked the last few songs as well.

I do love me some early 90’s hip hop. But, while this one has some jams, overall it’s too preachy for my blood.

Thought I was going to like this more. Running up to a 3 based on Tennessee and to a lesser extent Mr Wendel

While it is a very important Native Tongue adjacent album, it just doesn’t have near the talent or the staying power of anything the Tribe or De La did. Or even Jungle Bros or Digable Planets. Some great golden era hits though. 3.4.

2.8 a couple of jams on it but it kinda sounded like a Parody of a 90's rap album. I don't know if that is because it was so influential and other artist followed or this followed other artists work and layered a bunch of samples and social justice themes

Southern hip-hop, chill nok, men heller ikke sindsoprivende

Fun, but early 90s rap feels inherently silly, and trying to communicate serious themes with a silly instrument feels a bit incongruent. Fantastic "Everyday People" cover though.

Some real high points which make the whole thing definitely worth a listen. They real do sound so similar to De La Soul (down to the flows even) to me that it makes it hard to see them as ripping off DLS a little. Still a good album in its own right though. 7/10

Profound songwriting, head bopping melodies. What more can one ask for?

I own this album. Golden.

Lyrically, I know this album isn't for me but I still dug the socially conscious aspects of it even though some of it can come off a little preachy. And a lot of the beats and mixes are fun and positive. Best Songs: People Everyday, Mr. Wendal Listen Again: Yes

Experimental but very good

Second 90's era hip hop in two days. But this one was much more unique and enjoyable.

I'm really not used to this style. Lots of sampling all over the place, good rythm sometimes super groovy sometimes chaotic. So far so good. "Mama's Always On Stage" is a bop Quite hard to describe in terms of style! Bluesy/Disco/Funk? "Blues Happy" is quite modern for a blues. It's a good album but I'd need one more listen I think "Give A Man A Fish" is a bop! Not a fan of "Natural" What a trip. Good album, but not really for me I think (so far)

Huh

Overall, an enjoyable album of “early” hip-hop that was a fun listen. It felt a bit dated to me, with the same sing-song phrasing that I find to grow repetitive track after track that a lot of early hip hop does. However the songs were different and atypical, with some odd themes and subject matter that really made them stand out. “Fishin’ 4 Religion” was actually a standout track, with simple lyrics the beats really shone through and there’s a lot of joy apparent on this record.

#1 - Okay, this might be decent as an album. Let's see where it goes. An alright intro song; feels like I'm thrown back to the 90s. #2 - Neat. Rather than the usual east coast v. west coast hip-hop you'd get around this time, this takes a different twist. This album is starting to sound like something Fatboy Slim might have pulled for himself in parts. #3 - Not bad. Actually this is pretty good. Still haven't heard a track I really like yet. #4 - Introduction to the band. Nothing to say - it's forty-five seconds. #5 - Good beat and backing instruments/sounds. Don't think I've heard anything like it in quite some time. ★ #6 - Not bad. Really like the instruments here. #7 - Again, not bad. I do like this album is pretty easy-going in sound, and pretty heavy with the lyrics. #8 - Good stuff. Nothing to complain about it and it's a good all around track with no complaints. ★ #9 - At the risk of repeating myself.. it's okay. #10 - Please see #9. #11 - Intermission track. Eh. #12 - I think my opinion so far on this album is that it's alright. Nothing to really write home about. #13 - It's a bit more memorable than the other tracks in the latter half, but not by much. #14 - I was well fatigued from this album by this point. It feels samey in spots, but it's not awful. There's worse albums on this list. #15 - At the end of the album.. yeah, it could be worse, could be better. I don't have any major complaints, but it feels like the album is too long. The album is alright, but it didn't really grip me. It might be a case of 'a product of its time'. I only ended up liking one or two songs. I didn't hate it. It ranks about a 3 for me.

It very much had that 90s hip hop feel, but it was a lot more tolerabel than most hip hop. I didn't particullary love this album but I didn't hate it either, it's a pretty middle of the road album for me. It was a pretty fun album with good upbeat songs.

Not a bad album by any means and it’s a fun listen, but it feels incredibly dated (not just lyrically as some critical reviews seem to have focused on, but musically as well). It’s easy to compare to another 1992 album The Chronic, but even with earlier work like The Low End Theory and De La Soul is Dead, it just doesn’t seem as forward thinking sonically, and seems very stuck in that late 80s hip-hop sound

I've tried. I just can't get into Arrested Development. I start to listen and want to really focus, then the music just fades into the background. There's just very little here that I can find to be exciting to listen to. I like the live instrumentation (I assume a lot of it is), but I don't know if they are the band that does live instrumentation best. There is positivity in the lyrics, but I think there are other artists that convey that message better. This album got a lot of acclaim because it was released right before gangsta rap became big. But now, it feels like an album out of time and out of place in 1992. It's like hearing Bon Jovi in 1992, where the music wasn't bad but it wasn't of its time anymore. Still, this is not a bad album, but I don't know if I recommend it.

ändå gött häng!

Feelgood Afro-centric 1990s alternative hip hop at its best. Mostly original 'live band-style' jazzy/soul/funk beats with some samples and turntable stuff over the top. Upbeat and uplifting tone combined with dense lyrical content dealing with ISSUES. Sometimes it's a bit cringe, but hard to fault earnestness. The cadence, flow and expressivity of the delivery is great and the vibes are good as hell.

Probably not something I would ever listen to again. Some interesting parts, not bad, but not really exciting either.

Quite enjoyed it to the end. Still very relevant today

Although I understand the importance of this album and its great release timing, I can't figure it out musically. There is certainly a good flow in here, but a lot of tracks are just straight up fillers.

Classic

Interesting that this hip hop group identified more with hippies than gangsters.

Wow!! Again, not a rap fan, really....but this is a definite exception! Truly enjoyed it!

Dope

Refreshing, but not my favorite. I get why it's on the list though.

Este estuvo entretenido y un cambio de estilo dentro de todos los discos de hip-hop que hay aquí.

1. Man’s Final Frontier - definitely think the sound is really good and still pretty fresh. 2. Mama’s Always On Stage - it’s actually kinda a bop… 3. People Everyday - it’s ok wasn’t my favourite. 4. Blues Happy - interlude 5. Mr. Wendal - I like the rapping style In this one, it’s kinda soothing. 6. Children Play With Earth - the sound of this one is interesting it’s got some different elements. The hook isn’t great. 7. Raining Revolution - this one has an interesting flow, I quite like it. 8. Fishin’ 4 Religion - has a very house/dance vibe to me which is kinda cool. 9. Give a Man a Fish - not my favourite. 10. U - this one is very cool it has a really quick beat. 11. Eve of Reality - another interlude 12. Natural - “everything has to be natural” feels shaming. 13. Dawn of the Dreads - this one has a very cool sound, especially the base. 14. Tennessee - quite catchy, especially the chorus. 15. Washed Away - good closer it’s more slow. It flows really well each song into the next. I don’t mind it but it’s definitely a different style of hip hop than I’m used to but the beats were kinda boppy and dandy at times. HOWEVER, the lyrics are very preachy…it’s a lot of coming across as being better than others. Like I appreciate some of the themes of the songs but it is kinda preachy…

meh

Solid

Not my style but definitely a genre defining album. With gangsta rap on the rise and hip hop still at the top Arrested Development blended rap and hip hop with Afro-centri rhythms and just plain old good musicality.

I loved the beats and positivity on this album, but I could do without the religious themes. That’s just my preference.

Hilarious that this recommendation comes up immediately following Dre's 'The Chronic'. Two break-out hits for hip-hop in 1992. The contrast between the crotch-and-gun-clutching nonsense of the former versus the social justice and love focus of the latter, is the perfect example of the spectrum that hip-hop occupies. Respect to Arrested Development for going after the higher ground!

This album was influential to me as a young person, and I had not listened to it in perhaps 20 or 25 years -- and, it holds up pretty well. The samples are somewhat dated, but that tracks with the age of the work.

This is rather good. Seems like the antidote to West Coast rap, tracking the same kinds of social injustices, but without resorting to desperate, toxic-masculine traits. I knew a couple of tracks beforehand - I'd only have been able to name Mr Wendal as one of theirs consciously, I think - and I was moderately surprised to hear more that had somehow escaped association. Definitely a nice listen.

3.4

I’ve heard this talked about like some kind of forgotten hip-hop classic, but I’m not so convinced. It’s lacking any real high points, just mostly staying in a middling state. The rhymes (which don’t have much presence on many tracks) are also kind of stuck on the early side of the 90s, in the sense that they’re slightly clunky. Mild 3

tråååkig dated hiphop... preachy och meh

Funky and Fresh, a mature listen.

Wat een fijn album, vrolijk, dikke beats, echt even wat anders. Ga ik vaker luisteren.

I don't like this kind of music 2 stars

Two solid tracks the rest entertaining enough.

Pretty sure this is a new album/artist for me, loving the opening track already. This is a sampling gold mine haha. Love how musical this is, hearing samples of real instruments feels so refreshing in 2023.

Got one listen through. Good hip hop, but only previously familiar with Tennessee. Rating a 3 for now, might give it another listen at a later date. The album doesn't land a hit on every track, which for an album held to such a high standard, I feel it should.

Is this a Christian hip hop album? Either way, it is wholesome and full of energy, optimism and excellent tunes (in extreme contrast to the chronically bad gangster rap that was also popular at the time). Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Mr Wendal Date listened: 07/09/23

Fun album with direct lyrics. Live instruments sound great and doesn’t drag despite its runtime. Open to exploring more hip-hop like this.

It's fun, but it definitely feels dated. Songs like Natural I think don't hold up well compared to something like Give A Man A Fish. I found I wasn't super into the record scratches and the flow of the words as much. I think a lot of the backing was real fun, but I just think the Fresh Prince vibe is a bit too dated for me.

Listened to this a lot when I was younger. I enjoyed it for the instrumentals a lot, but on a listen now found it too busy. I like the early iteration of 90’s funk/ hip hop

First time listen, enjoyed it and can totally see all of the inspiration it was for things to come. Really liked Tennesee

There are idiots who gatekeep and just like they might claim that someone isn't black because they have light black skin, they will judge this record and say it's not real rap or not real hip-hop or whatever. Such garbage. Garbage! Just because a record is approachable, and the lyrics are positive and aren't full of f-bombs doesn't mean it's not real. I run into this from time to time with another band I like a lot, Digable Planets, they are a bit weird, and political, and positive, and interesting... and people will say they aren't real hip-hop. I don't care! Really I don't care. I want the music to be interesting, I want the lyrics to be thought provoking, I want the band to take an overall position... and this album delivers all that in spades. Don't gatekeep tunes. It just makes people think that you are someone who wants to force your preferences on other people as if they are the only valid preferences. Garbage!

Meandering and uninspiring. I'm glad popular non-gangsta-hiphop existed out there in the early 90s for humanities sake, but this just ain't for me.

I enjoyed this but it didn’t captivate me in any way. It’s definitely neat to see the lineage of that southern branch of hip hop.

Haven't listened to this album in over ten years. Hearing Mr Wendal for the first time in years was a delight. Give a Man a Fish is another highlight. The album is a little too long and I wish it ended with Dawn of the Dreads which was another highlight I think mid to high 3/5

Mr. Wendal is fun.

Excellent. Ages very well.

Still a great early 90s album. I definitely rocked this on my tape player.

Not to be confused with the ‘banana stand’ arrested development - this took me by surprise … it’s a fresh take on hip hop of the era - scratch that - it sounds fresh even now - 31 years later. The rhymes might not be machine gun like of this post Eminem time and age - which is only what gives a clue it’s not a new record - but the beats and the pace of it just stands out as a top record. Loved it.

This is a very unique hip-hop album in my opinion. 3 Years, 5 Months, and 2 Days in the Life Of has some of the most conscious lyrics of any hip-hop album I've listened to, but the sound is like nothing else. It's very hard to describe in all honesty. It has lo-fi production with its inclusion of record grain that adds to the hard-to-describe sound. Some tracks feel more funky, obviously showing its classic funk influences (definitely not the more modern G-Funk), but also showing influences of old-school hip hop in a few areas as well. But these sounds are twisted to be different. I think that that's the best way to describe it: different. I don't hate it; in fact, I think I like it. It really does give the album a unique sound. The lyrics are very conscious, especially for the time it was recorded (near the end of the days of Gangsta Rap and a few years before the Bling Era). It is the only album to have had conscious lyrics like this, but they still feel unique. There are songs about spirituality, committing yourself to God, and finding peace with your fellow man. In fact, this album is mostly about spirituality. It gives a unique perspective of a spiritual, Afrocentrist life, while actively promoting said life and discussing why it is a good idea for everyone to help make this life a reality. These spiritual lyrics are really unique and I think that's the big thing it has going for it. There are lyrics about struggles, criticisms of the government, etc., but the lyrics about spirituality do make this album stand out the most. I think this was a very fun, unique, and spiritual album. Easily earning a 9/10.

it's meh, didn't really keep me interested

cool samples but didnt care enough

Hip-hop muy funky. Un 4.

hip hop. Un 3. sin más.

This list has blessed me with another surprise I probably wouldn't have listened to without its inclusion. Really fun and wacky hip hop album, carrying the delivery and sample approach of Public Enemy but with a cheery mood to groove and dance to. Melodies to dance to, funny moments that stick out, and choruses to sing along. Takes significant influence from funk, gospel, and jazz. As with most 90s albums, it should cut down its length by a quarter. It was definitely exhausting in the second half. But this wasn't so bad with so many outstanding deep cuts.

Welp, I had some lovely notes on this album, but then my compute took a massive shit. I remember really liking Mr. Wendal as a song to smile to. I also remember Raining Revolution was an absolute jam with killer instrumental and flow. Reminded me of a fusion of Del The Funky Homosapien and Q-Tip. Plus the lead guy can sing too. The bassline on Dawn of the Dreads is pretty slick. Another late-album jam. Tennessee is the song I know Arrested Development for. I mean its a fine song, but by no means the best song on this record. All around this album feels well produced and like a clean 90s rap album. I get weird polished Public Enemy vibes. Overall, I'm not hug on it, but there are some standouts. More good than bad on here and nothing truly terrible. This sits between a 3 and a 4 for me.

Good hip hop album. Really good beats for background/working music. Unfortunately (once again) I was not listening too closely to the lyrics. Overall I enjoyed listening to this album like most of the early 90s hip hop that is on this list. Might give this one a more earnest listen sometime in the future because I think it deserves it. Until then; 3 Stars, 5 Possible, and 2 Left to Earn...

People Everyday has some great flow and love the female singing the chorus. All around this album has some real fresh beats and I like the variety of singers. Makes each song completely unique Some of the background noises are throwing me off a little bit and can makes the songs sound a little too busy

The main guy sounds like Eazy-E. Can't stop thinking about that when I hear him. Had this one on mainly in the background, but honestly love that early 90's hip-hop sound. Nothing crazy special just good to have in the background.

Een lollig potje hiphop, daar is niks mis mee hoor. Sampletje hier, beatje daar en gaan. Zonder moeite meermalen luisterbaar.

Het zit allemaal verrassend goed in elkaar. Snap ik ook wel. Ze hadden even de tijd begrijp ik uit de titel. De losse nummers springer er net iets minder uit dan bijvoorbeeld "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" van "A Tribe Called Quest". Het geheel klinkt gewoon lekker.

Relaxte laidback hiphop uit de 90s. Prima voor de zomer.

Pretty cheesy overall, but I’m a fan of Mr. Wendel and Tennessee

Fun and funky. It feels slightly cheesy and outdated now, but I can understand the appeal and influence it must've had when it came out.

This isn't a bad album by any means. It just goes on a little too long, sounds a bit repetitive, and, well, it sounds aged. It somehow sounds more like a product of the 90's than other albums by contemporaries like Tribe or De La. But I still enjoyed it overall! The sampling is fantastic, and the flow is engaging (even when the lyrics are a little corny). Honestly, if it was 10-20 minutes shorter, this would have been an easy 4 stars.

Not bad. Early rap still finding itself, very repetitive beats but indicative of the time.

I’ve heard of this group before, but this is my first time listening to them. This was not at all what I expected. There are a wide variety of beats here, that pull from a number of different genres, which was very interesting. The lyrics throughout are self-conscious and thoughtful in contrast to a lot of other rap albums around the time. Overall, this isn’t usually the type of hip hop I prefer, but I actually kinda enjoyed this one.

Mamas always on staage 😫🗣️ Mr. Wendel had a really catching beat, not a fan of the old school rap style though.. I can lie, a part of me is just waiting for this to be over.. Man this was really good, even for it’s type of hip hop I was super into it

Pretty dope

M'eh, nothing special

This was really good! It held my attention throughout, musically and lyrically, there's a lot to get into. BT - Mama's Always On Stage - Mr. Wendel - Fishin' 4 Religion - Natural - Tennessee

As someone who really doesn't enjoy rap, I found this album to be very listenable. Trading the whole gangsta shtick for more positive messages definitely helped. The soul elements on some of the tracks was a nice touch as well. Still not something I'd listen to by myself, but it was absolutely OK as a change of pace.

Great lyrics on this album. Thoughtful hip hop that won't scare the racist whites like that other violent scary gangster rap. Wouldn't be a bad way to be introduced to the 90's hiphop sound. Didn't overstay it's welcome and it was pretty fun. Score: 70 Art: 70

HoRsEsHoEs - This is lighter and cleaner than the gangsta rap coming out at the time while still being socially conscious, enjoyable change of pace.

i really liked this album! 90s hip-hop with an optimistic message. i had only heard Tennessee going into this and enjoyed most of the tracks on here, mr. wendal being a big standout. favorites: mr. wendal, people everyday, tennessee

Classic. For anyone scratching their heads about the version of "People Everyday" on this album, the more well-known version is the Metamorphosis mix from the "People Everyday" single.

I remember Mr. Wendel & Tennesee pretty well and enjoyed both back in the day & today. The rest of the album was ok but not stellar.

Probably one of the better hip hop albums I've ever listened to. Still hip hop though.

Hip hop usually leaves an impression on me, but with this album I was just… bored

Some great moments but a little uneven.

Religious hip-hop. Slowish with interesting timing and instrument choices. Sometimes it hits its stride, but most of the time it’s just preach-rap. I think it works for some casual listening, and perhaps with a small group playing games to have on in the background. Otherwise, not my first choice.

Okay, I am officially fed up with 50+ minute, 30+ years old hiphop albums on this list. It's not that I think this is bad, I just cannot absorb content of this format anymore. 2 stars I guess.

Clever, conscious and organic 90’s hip hop album. Quite the contrast to the eras dominant gangsta rap. The skits are on a minimum as well - but 3 Years… is still too long and meandering at times. My second favorite Arrested Development in entertainment.

It's fun

This is a super pretentious album that has some pretty bad takes on it when you sit and listen to the lyrics. This becomes more prevalent on their failed follow up to this album

Really good, just some fantastic music.

Shrug

Some songs sound like Toe Jam & Earl soundtrack

mehhh

Ei mikään paska mutta ei kyllä kolahtanutkaan. Alkaa kisaväsymys painamaan aika pahasti tämän haasteen kanssa.

Makee meininki läpi levyn. Pään nytkyttelyä putkeen ja tuli hyvä fiilis. 3,5 -> pyöristyy ylöspäin!

Pretty dope

Loved It! More funk than rap… sounded more like p-funk than outkast.

Really good. High energy, good blending, clear theme

pretty good, enjoyed it more than I remembered.

It’s obvious why “Tennessee” is a classic. But other than that I didn’t dig this. There are some other good moments but most of the lyrics are too on-the-nose for me. I appreciate that it was probably a response to the tone and imagery of popular hip-hop of its era, but it doesn’t do much for me today.

This was not a good album at all. It was also fairly long which made it worse. The beats are not memorable at all (except for maybe People Everyday), and the rapping is just ok, nothing special but not bad (although corny at times). The worst part is simply the songs themselves; they are really not good. Kind of all over the place.

Ok

I've never "got" Hip-Hop. Boring!

it’s cool, i dig the laid back positive vibe and it’s nice to hear people talking about loving God

80s 90s rnb sample stacatto rap rhytm stuff. sorta wish it was kmd or people under the stairs. or jurassic five. its okay i guess

Fun positive vibes but not really my thing, or all that memorable.

I had never listened to this before. It's a good album both in historical context to being something that stood in contrast to the rising popularity in gangsta rap and as being one of the first Southern hip-hop records and obviously being influential to everything that came after in that genre.

Interesting and groovy

A good dose of conscious hip-hop.

3.75/5 It turns out I have listened to this entire album before in my 20s. It's got a great message, no slurs or curse words, and pretty fun and funky music to go with it. Not bad.

I didn't think I knew these guys and then Mr. Wendal came on... That's about the peak of the album for me and as much as I have to say really. Inoffensive rap/hip-hop and not in a rush to listen to again.

Un peu plate, manque colle pour tout faire tenir ensemble

Vraiment cool, y’a pas de défaut, juste cool

A really powerful album. One that I didn’t love back when but adult me feels quite differently. Wonderful poetry, beats that get you moving, it’s a win.

Hugely impressive and massively enjoyable. Feels like this has been unfairly and unnecessarily forgotten. Groovy and approachable beats, plus positive vibes in the vocals, plus unconventional instrumentation (there should be more harmonica in hip-hop [and possibly cowbell, too]).

56 Minuten und 13 Sekunden im Leben… des Rezensenten, die dieser vollkommen bedeutungslos empfand und seine Langeweile nur durch das lesen der Zeitung abzumildern vermochte.

Interesting arrangements with positive message.

I might have had the nostalgia goggles on for this one. I can’t tell.

Funky but not my thing

After 3 years, 5 months and 2 days, they came up with this? Although it has some interesting bass lines, it feels like a waste of time.

Pretty decent

This sounds like an album that could be something I really like, but the execution is way off

Instrumentally it has some cool stuff but the vocals just sound kinda meh.

I had this album! Somehow lost it and forgot about it but I still knew it well. Good to hear again. A nice departure from the gangster rap of the time.

lowkey so good, couldn't ask for anything more in a 90s hip-hop album

Very good album. Fine songs, enjoyable beats

I wasn't grabbed by this. I guess I'm not the target audience, though...

HL: “People Everyday”, “Fishin 4 Religion”, “Tennessee”, “Washed Away” Unfamiliar with this group; Neat excursion into 90’s alt hip-hop. While the production almost sounds too crisp and clean (wouldn't be the first late 80s/early 90s album I've felt that way about), there's something I enjoyed about the uncool-ness of the flow, and the diverse samples which put it somewhere between "3 Feet High & Rising" and "That's the Way of the World" April 10, 2023

Enorme verrassing. Rap van niet overdreven hoog niveau, maar wel unieke beats. Het doet een beetje denken aan De La Soul en met vlagen ook aan Anderson .Paak. Ik zie mezelf dit nog wel eens aanzetten.

fun! good sampling. i could see why this album is influential.

The hits off this album are great. Though I prefer the other mix of People Everyday to the one on this album. The version on this album feels flat. When this came out, it was so different than a lot of the other rap, since gangsta rap was so huge at the time.

The sampling is pretty cheeseball but it is refreshing to be less accosted by early 90s rap. Rainy Revolution is catchy. U is pretty lame. Tennessee is a pretty alright track.

Good Hip-Hop from the golden age...without all the foul language! Thank you! Reminds me of the good, clean fun of De La Soul. The first couple times I head this album in the past, I didn't give it a chance - I went in thinking I was going to hate it... Standouts: People Everyday, Mr. Wendal, Tennessee. 4/5

perus hip hop biitti johon liitetty jonkinlainen erikoisuus bro... kuten esimerkiksi huuliharppu.... 2 kalastus esque biisiö putkeen...propsits siitä.. holeusom contrast samana aikana gängsteri räpin nousu mainstream hip hoppiin...heh..x§ harmi että toinen puolisko on vitun tylsä people everyday

I really liked this one. The album starts with the obligatory scratches on vinyl that's hit the turntables many many times.  The fusion of the southern style rhythms kicks in a works well. The harmonica on Mama's Always on Stage is Exhibit 1.  The singer vocalist seems to be in a good space as opposed to so many MCs who come across as being full of attitude. Dionne Farris' vocals  on Tennessee are really good. 

You could call this hippy-hop, with the focus on Love and Peace, giving money to street people, the strength of unwed mothers, and not dropping F-Bombs. The songs are good, I like the guitars and harmonicas.

This album was a fun listen and a refreshing change from the very negative vibes from the Gangsta rap that was prevalent in this period. Lotsa A Tribe Called Quest and Outkast vibes here and samples from the who's who of Black and soul music such as Sly and the Family, James Brown, Earth Wind and Fire, Kurtis Blow etc.

Good music, if a little corny. Better than I expected from this era of rap, but not something I'd revisit.

I didn’t love it and didn’t hate it. I enjoyed having it on. From what I caught it seems like good lyrics challenging the tough guy culture of rap/hip-hop?

Didn't hate it but its a one and done.

Honestly it was just kind of boring to me. A lot of the background noise was repetitive and a little obnoxious, but overall it was just meh- nothing exciting. It wasn’t necessarily bad but just uninteresting.

Outstanding. More of this type of hip-hop needs to return to the mainstream. It's about the music, which is perfectly-mixed using great samples as well as organic instrumentation, and the vocals are set just right which also doesn't happen often enough. Those vocals feel part of the music rather than on top and they're just damn *good* - not overly-aggressive; a great combination of singing and rapping. Hadn't heard AD in decades and am happy to be reminded of them. Keeper. 8/10 4 stars.

Not bad. Still not my normal genre. Wouldn't play on my own.

Earth-shattering at the time of release, but it didn't leave much of an impression on me.

hip hopppppppp n consegui escutar tudo fiquei entediado primeiro album q eu escutei aqui gostei de mama's always on stage até (eu acho)

Its very interesting how Arrested Development have been erased from music history, when people talk about the history of conscious Hip Hop somehow people never bring up this Grammy award winning act. Although its likely that win that cemented their downfall. 90's Hip Hop was all about threatening the establishment, both in the realms of Gangsta Rap and other conscious groups like The Native Tongues, and that Grammy was the ultimate stamp of approval from the musical establishment. It also doesn't help how *preachy* the group could be at times. The fun beats and gorgeous vocals on tracks like Tennessee help to offset this problem, but frontman Speech can be just insufferable at times. Apparently this was an issue behind the scenes as well, and by the time you reach this albums follow up 'Zingalamaduni' it just feels like an hour of boring lecturing about the evils of edgy Hip Hop and how to live your life correctly (especially on the track Warm Sentiments which is just gross in all the wrong ways). But as I said prior, on this album it really isn't THAT bad. Although that doesn't necessarily mean its 'good'. Ultimately I can see why Arrested Development never had the staying power of their contemporaries. Despite some theoretical good intentions, the group just doesn't reach the heights of their contemporaries musically or even politically (when was the last time you heard anyone shilling Afrocentrism?). I can see why one would really enjoy this record but to me and seemingly most Hip Hop fans, its inessential at best. Highlights: Tennessee

I can imagine this would have sounded fresh at the time of its release, and refreshing in light of all the gangsta rap filling the 90s boomboxes, however, it hasn’t stood the test of time for two reasons: the production is spirited but rudimentary and it is lacking notable songs (other than the excellent Tennessee). Mr. Wendal and U are solid enough, but I’ll probably forget that I liked them.

buenisimo tremendo sonido los breaks una locura

This was fine. Like... Good, but didn't grab me very much except a couple songs. Might need another listen.

mr wendall

Not my thing, but I let it play through the whole way and wasn’t bothered by it. Nothing stuck though. I can’t remember a single song. And I hate this album name, it’s clunky and obnoxious.

Nice sound but not very interesting.

Interesting type of hip hop

I don't know if I loved it, but it was funky! It was upbeat! It was positive! Maybe I did love it.

no

Bop

no too boring

6/14, 43%

I like this sort of sample-heavy, upbeat hip-hop. It’s fun to listen to music where 100 details are fighting for your attention. The main MC, Speech, has a loose, conversational flow on a lot of these songs. Even on "U," where he raps fast, he sounds laidback. I enjoyed this on a first listen but it’s a big album and kind of dense with ideas and music. I’ll need another listen to connect to it more.