Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Awesome! Never heard of it. Like the 80s hiphop crossed with electronic vibes! Personal top3 in no order: Connected Everything Sketch
"Am I on an episode of Fresh Prince?" "Am I walking down a California boardwalk with a boombox on my shoulder?" "Bro can I borrow this tape to listen to on my Walkman?" Phrases that might have been uttered while listening to this album. Does it get any more '90s?!
if i were asked to describe what the 90's sounded like, this would be it.
Epic album! I am so glad for this site, for 1001. One of the Best things I have discovered in my life. Thank you <3
I've always liked the title track to this album, although I was never really aware of Stereo MC's as a band. It was good to hear the rest of the album, and the early 90s cool funkiness really grew on me as it went along.
What a nice album. This shake my chicken:)
Loved this. Dancey fun!
Acid jazz. Me ha gustado bastante. Vinilo, incluso.
Acid jazz. Me ha gustado bastante. Vinilo, incluso.
FUCK YES!!! Lesgo 90s
Sorry bruv, but I can’t stand listening to Brits rap. I was out after 4 or 5 tracks.
I really like this music, it’s clean and funky. I might buy this vinyl. It’s smooth and transitions well, has good quality music, great instrumentals, and overall great presentation.
Had never heard this other than the title track. Absolute gold. I enjoyed every single track on here. What a fun early 90s vibe
This is the first album that I haven’t heard that blew me away. Loved it.
What an outstanding slice of 90s dance music this is. Listening to it is like time travel to a more carefree time.
Loved the album. Certainly a work of its time. "Connected" is an absolute classic.
Really liked this and will definitely listen again.
Great memories from Summer 94 when we played this CD over and over sitting in the sunshine in County Kerry. Shame they didn't do more. I remember it was so refreshing to have good dancy music after all the SAW purportedly dance shite of the late 80s. Enjoyed immensely
Love this group!
Great!
Felt like a breath of fresh air on the first (partial) listen and overall really nice beats and sound.
I do not listen to this kind of music very often, yet this album clicked with me almost immediately. The instrumentals do a lot of the heavy lifting and give every track enough character to stay interesting throughout. Easily one of the hip hop albums I enjoyed the most so far from this list.
Pretty banging overall
Enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. Fav track was Everything
I read the writing on the wall. Got myself connected. Now my mind's not neglected. And I never stumble. I never fall. 4.35
72/100. This type of alternative dance record always makes me picture New York. There's something about the combination of breakbeats, bass heavy grooves and hip-hop influences that creates that image in my head. Which is funny, considering Stereo MC's are British. The title track's theme is hardly subtle. Connected is, unsurprisingly, about connection, between people, communities and shared experiences. I really enjoy this style of electronic music. The grooves are repetitive, but in a way that pulls you in rather than wears you down. Hip-hop, alternative dance, electronic music, funk, and club culture all coexist on this record without feeling forced. It is the ultimate New York soundtrack made by guys who probably call the sidewalk a pavement.
I loved this! I thought it was so fun. A friend told me they gave it a 1. I don't know if I am incorrect or I should give my pal a 1.
Me atrapo desde el inicio, inicio muy fuerte aunque me fue perdiendo ya al final, buenas pistas
nice trippy sounds
it sounds good but it was like i registered the same track
Oh hey i remember this song, the title track. (One of the reviews reminds me that "Connected" was used in that fabulously ridiculous 90s film "Hackers," which I was subjected to earlier this year. And when that song came on I said "oh hey I remember this song.") If I'm going to listen to dumb lyrics, they should accompany fun electronic dance music like this. That's my rule and I'm sticking with it. Favorite track: All Night Long 4 stars
As much as I want to hate it, I enjoy the album.4
Fun, funky, 90s hip hop
Not bad. A testament to its time.
Connected is an album that i didn't expect to like it as much as i did but that is what ended up happening. After the fun ride that was the title track, the album did feel very repetitive for quite a bit of time to a point where despite the fact that i liked how funky it was, i just felt it was gonna be samey and forgettable but when i got to Step It Up, that was when the album was able to hook me right back in and it didn't let go for the rest of the runtime. Like i said, the songs were real funky, the vocals fit well and while the lyrics were a bit basic, they still worked well for the songs and i could see them being fun to sing along to. Despite the repetitive first half, i really enjoyed my time with this album. Best Song: Creation Worst Song: Sketch
Classic funky grooves. Definitely adding it to the rotation.
J’avais un coup de mou, et il est parti avec cet album
Musik die man gerne hört
This had some fun and funky beats! Creation and All night long were some stand outs. I'm in a 90s club music phase so this definitely fit in that bucket, meaning I'm probably rating it higher than I would normally...7/10
Pretty solid for two white boys in the early 90s. First song Connected has an electronic big band feel reminiscent of Fatboy Slim. This would be great to remix
Surprisingly good
Great great great album! Connected is one of my fave songs.
This wasn’t magnificent, but I like this sort of thing and found it to be catchy and enjoyable. 1 listen Favorite Track: Title Track
Expectation: -> Familiar band name. I think I might like this. After listening: -> Well this was fun. The song Connected is clearly recognized and excellent. Lot to like here but no other song really stood out. A lot of good songs and an easy listen. Took me a full day and 3-4 listens to push this from 3 to 4. I feel that the limited vocal range and talk-singing detracted some from my overall opinion. Some fast/energetic songs came off flat/dull. Enjoyed a lot of these rhythms/beats and the background singers are a highlight. Track ranking: Connected Fire Don't let up Sketch Everything Creation Fade Ground Step Pressure Night End Chicken
I didn't recognize the artist immediately but as soon Connected started playing I knew instantly. This genre isn't usually up my alley but this was an enjoyable listen.
This album is a vibe
Generator is on a groovy detour currently. Certainly enjoyed this more than the britpop albums from the same era. I understand how it could be too much listening to the album straight through but I had a break in the middle and was still enjoying it once I came back to it. Even some of their songs which were not popular (on Spotify) I was enjoying. I could handle more Stereo MC's in my listening list. Thanks generator!
sooo groovyy. i love this sm lowk repetitive but so fun
Jævlig enerveranes. Æ tror ikke det e dårlig, og det e sikkert sjangerdefineranes på ett eller anna vis, men det va ikke interessant nok til at æ synes det va verdt å høre på.
7/10 It's got some nice beats but I didn't care for the rap verses.
This is an album very much of its time. For some listeners this could be a detriment as even artists they influenced like Massive Attack could be seen in the same light (is trip hop is even still a thing?). Having said that though I still get enjoyment out of a lot of the songs on here, Step it Up and the title track remain classic earworms whilst you can hear a lot of the trip hop sound in songs like Sketch, Playing with Fire and Chicken Shake. Overall yes its dated but its still an enjoyable listen.
What makes the album work is that it understands vibe is not enough unless the songs can carry it. A lot of groove-heavy records give you one atmosphere and then coast.
I was never bothered about stereo MC’s apart from their singles but this hit the right spot today. It definitely connected and was the upbeat vibe I needed.
I forgot about this band. Or more accurately, I forgot about the song Connected because that's the only familiar tune. But I just loved this album and the vibe they were rocking. I had it going loud in the kitchen when Andre walked in dancing...so that bumps it up to 4.8.
A genuinely good hip-hop mix album. It's relaxing ear candy that I'd listen to on a walk through the park. I love the vibes, definitely going to try and get this on vinyl if I can find it. 8/10
The rest of the songs didn't put up with the first but they definitely continued the album's depth and feel. I love how each song felt different but still kept up with the album's hip hop dreamy vibe. 8/10. Favorite Song: Connected
Despite what the album cover promised, it wasn't too bad.
Connected is one of THE songs that always played in the clubs at that time, it pulled everyone to the floor. Rest of the album is filled with some great beats.
About as 90s as it gets. Some stone cold bangers in this album, overall and enjoyable listen.
really cool album
Ett sånt album som jag börjar digga till lite ironiskt, innan ironin gradvis försvinner helt och jag bara älskar allt med det. Stark fyra!
A lovely bit of early 90s nostalgia. Despite every song having the same feel some are clearly stronger than others.
I think I liked this more than I anticipated. I expected some goofy UK hiphop of some sorts, but this turned out to be a pretty fun dance album. The hiphop aspects certainly are here as I can easily imagine someone rapping over most of these beats. The beats are groovy and bouncy and pretty easy to listen to. There are some great standouts, such as the opener, "Step It Up", and "Creation". The other songs all sound pretty similar. That, together with the runtime, are the main drawbacks for me. Still, enjoyed this album quite a bit, and it turned out to be good music to study to. I would say this is 3.5 stars, but I'll round up this time.
Rad
Det var faktisk langt sjovere og mere funky end jeg havde forventet.
Yes yes yes....I m quiet now....top
Yeah, cool, loved this album. It captures a particular 90s sound, one that I sometimes forget existed! Surprisingly atmospheric and definitely one that was made for the headphones. I’ll be coming back to Connected for sure!
Connected is an A+ song, although I remembered it being faster? Good sinister vibes throughout this It is a very specific vibe and the first few songs I was worried it would all end up being too similar but I was loving it by the end. Fun!
Enjoyed. Great listen at work
I enjoyed this, but I bit long. Great bass lines, groovy all the way through
Great beat, easy to understand lyrics. Very enjoyable.
mi piace un botto! verso la fine magari un po’ stessa solfa
Overall: 7/10 This is the most 90s thing I've ever heard in my life. Genuinely can't imagine it being made at any other point in time. It's kind of dumb but I also really enjoyed my time with it. I'm not even sure how to describe how I feel about it. The vocals fit with the beats so good and it tickles my brain in a way I've never experienced. Fav Song: Fade Away
Super cool album. If a 4.5 existed this would be it. But for now it is a 4.
Super fun and easy to get into.
Always liked this album. Very rhythmic and "dancey" while still have a rock feel. Vocals are well done with very good background parts.
This album is a vibe. I really enjoyed it. Like other listeners I'm not sure why I enjoyed it, but enjoy it I did.
I like the funky and upbeat atmosphere.
proper early 90's vibes here- always enjoyed it, struggle to pocket them into a genre which isn't a bad thing but I guess I'd mark them down as a electronic hippy hip hop genre.
Now this was a pleasant album - standout was Connected.
Funny, bouncy kinda bongos and flutey boppy funk groovacious sound. I'm kinda intrigued, kinda not interested, kinda 3, give it another listen down the line. Edit one week later: yup, another listen, it's odd that there's so little edge but I'm loving the very laid back groove. Bumping it up 1.
Callie approved! She immediately danced around the living room to Connected. The album art Is fun I’d love to see it on something larger than a phone screen to fully figure out what’s going on.
This is pretty good, but I wouldn't call any of it revolutionary. Still, enjoyed it pretty well.
What a fun listen, a bunch of well constructed loops and grooves back to back with hip hop, dance, and funk elements. There's always a great baseline pulling you through each track, and loved the delivery and rhythm of the vocals even if I didn't really connect much with the actual lyrics The sort of record you will know immediately if you'll love or hate it from the first track Fav Track 3 - Everything Best Three Track run: 1, 2, 3
Stereo MC’s were never the most experimental or lyrically demanding of groups, but I’d absolutely forgotten how much fun they were to listen to! I absolutely loved revisiting this, it was fun fun fun and took me back to a simpler time, with fewer cares. A fab sound system redux.
One of the soundtracks to my youth. Smoking hash and driving around in my white Astra with this on cassette. Also saw them live a couple of years ago and they were superb. Love Stereo MCs
I quite enjoyed the rather laid back nature of this. My sort of hip hop Some of the rhymes were a little cringe, but not bad for a morning commute in the dark.
Groovy
• I jumped into this album immediately after finishing Play by Moby, and wow do these albums compliment each other well • Ground Level is a very catchy song, I like the hook a lot • Everything is great, I really like the percussion and the rap is very good • Step It Up is another standout song, but honestly all of the songs (maybe bar All Night Long) have been great so far. Everything's been really catchy and the backing instrumentals are all really high energy This album was really fun to listen to, I think the only songs I didn't particularly care for were All Night Long and Pressure. Everything else was consistently very good. Favourite song: Everything
Pretty cool 90s album
Dance and dancing to it! I have nothing to say to people who don't like this album
this album came to me at a perfect time. as i am obsessed with electronic music fused with hip hop right now, this is such a vibe to listen to. i love the many tracks on this album and its unforgettable to listen to, so upbeat and i love the background vocals and also the rapping of course. massive attack is one of my favorite groups right now but stereo mcs may be up there now i am really interested to dive deeper into this group because it’s what i am looking for. my favorite track is chicken shake, the female vocalists is like soap to my ears if that makes sense. kind of off topic but the album cover is so cool to look at it resembles the album in its entirety. is this website stalking me or what??? anyway this is such a good summer night album, even a nice spring afternoon, drinking a cold sprite or something. i’ll give this a nice 8/10
*Nice mix of rapping and house music to keep it more interesting than just a long dance album *Loved the use of instrumentation mixed in
Connected definitely my favorite on the album, didn’t know much about Stereo MC’s before but enjoyed this album
groovy!
Someone hand me a drink now
The Stereo MCs will forever be linked to the movie Hackers to me. And that is greatness. What a great first track.
Other than the fact this is a British group (which, at times, seems to be enough to justify inclusion), I am not sure why this album is in the book. The songs don't overstay their welcome necessarily, but they take a longer time than I would like finally to say "goodbye." I have had "Connected" in my head for 30 years but had no idea who sang the song. Now I know to whom I can attribute the song that randomly pops up in my head. I feel like I should not enjoy this album. It's somewhat electronica and there is a white guy rapping socially conscious lyrics. I could have gone the rest of my life not hearing this album. I could not have gone all of my life not knowing who sang Connected though. I feel like this is mediocre music and yet I enjoyed it. It wasn't harsh on my ears and the length/repetitiveness of the songs did not bother me. My favorite tracks were: Connected Ground Level Sketch Step it Up Playing with Fire Creation
Surprised by this album - initial impressions from the album art (I know, 'don't judge a book by its cover') left me assuming that this would be some generic 90s electro britslop but there's some really fun sound here. Not quite eurodance, but there's this brimming UK optimism to the sound that's very intoxicating. Not really brimming with tracks I'll remember by next week but this was worth the time. fav tracks: Connected, Step It Up, Pressure, Chicken Shake
this reminded me of a David LaChapelle photo shoot
Stereo MCs sound like they took the sound of the Madchester scene and brought it to its obvious pop conclusions. Mixing elements of dance, electronic music, hip hop and rock, "Connected" is one of the lesser remembered 90s albums but still a great one. Both "Connected" and "Step It Up" remain perfect pop songs.
Solid and unexpected
Pretty fantastic album, and one I'd never even heard of. Great vibe, excellent compositions and beats.
When it's good, it's really good. When it's not good, it's rather cheesy and dated. Nostalgic, so gets a pass.
Surprisingly pretty good.
I can do the side step to every song, and it's the 90s beat all the way..what's not to love.
3.5
I like this a lot. Good vibes.
Really good, actually. The songs can be long and repeat a lot which is always annoying, but that was the era.
Quite a few songs we really enjoyed on here. Took us by surprise and we will be seeking this one out again.
Pretty good
kind of like house music with more jazz, i enjoyed my listen. the singer’s voice kind of sounds like the lead vocalist for fontaines dc which is a plus in my opinion.
4.1
I knew the first song on this album and wow it really brought me back! This was a great album to listen to while driving on the Teconic looking at the leaves as the sun set directly into my eyes and melted my brain
Good 90's Brit-hop. A bit trite, but good at what it is. If this is your sort of thing it will give happy feels, but not exceptional. If this isn't your thing, it is very "meh". The title track "Connected" is a certified banger though.
Honestly fun and vibes and dancey
The flutes connected everything to creation. The end.
Connected is a groovy acid jazz, trip hop album that gets a boost from its nostalgic title track.
It was a groovy and funky listen. I dig it
Flott plata. Góður stemmari.
When this popped up, I was a bit surprised it was on the list. I remember their singles, and checking the year, I was probably a year away from when I started my music collection so I never listened to the album. I liked the singles so I expected to enjoy this on some level but didn’t quite expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Blending hip-hop, electronic, and funk - it has a nice groove to it, maybe even a bit trip-hop.
Fun pops psychedelic rock. Some interesting influences from a few genres. Great guitar work, light vocals and skilled drumming.
A forgotten classic
3.5 - Good
i don't have any deep thoughts about this but it's neat. UK hip-hop and electronic fusion. cool B) favorites: connected, ground level, step it up, creation
Loved the beats and will come back to it!
No joke, when I saw this album my first thought was “Wait, isn’t this the ‘get myself connected’ group? The song from the Android commercials?” Sure enough, first song is that legendary earworm. The beats kept me engaged throughout—I don’t remember any of the songs but it was a great ride!
Thing about me is that I can't do intoxicants. Makes me paranoid. But I can fake it. Very well. So when I was introduced to Stereo MCs as a 9 year old, I took one look at them and fully understood their vibe. And pretended to be on that vibe. I did the same thing this morning, 30 plus years later. These vibes are impeccable. This, to me, is jazz.
Really enjoyed this!
Wow. I didn’t know what to expect when I began listening to this album but whatever expectations I had were definitely exceeded Connected and Don’t Let Up were the two best songs, but no one song in particular was bad The production was some of the best I’ve heard on an album included on this list (so far) and I was bopping my head to nearly half the tracks This is a strong 3.5 for me, but I’m feeling generous tonight so let’s just roll with a 4 Favorites: Connected, Don’t Let Up Honorable Mentions: Everything, Creation
Good
This is a popular "Dance Club" hip-hop album with several notable songs in early 90's hip-hop. Good stuff. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: n/a Best Songs Connected Everything Sketch Fade Away Step It Up Chicken Shake Creation
I I get that some people might not like this, but I really enjoyed listening to this album. Of course, I was pre disposed to liking this, as Connected is one of those one-off songs from the 90s that I have always loved. But there’s a lot more on here than just the title track. Ground Level, Sketch, Fade Away and others all hit for me. Interestingly, I wasn’t as big a fan of Step it Up, which was bigger than Connected in the UK. I just think there are much better songs than that track on this record. It’s not amazing throughout, and front half of this album is definitely better than the back half, but the songs generally hit a good groove for my ear. A worthwhile listen.
Was a pretty decent album actually. Can see myself turning onto a radio station playing this type of music on GTAV and having a good time just driving about. Don’t know why just get that vibe. Also bonus points for the end actually being the end. Specific rating- 4.0 Fav song- the end Least fav- creation
Never related as much to a lyric as to "I'm at a bus stop waiting on a 33". Assumed before I started that it wouldn't be my thing but I actually really enjoyed this album (and not just because they mentioned my bus route) good fun beats that manage to avoid all the issues I've had with both electronic music and hip-hop- not overly repetitive, annoying or offensive. Favourite song: Everything Least: Chicken Shake
This must have been incredibly influential because the sound here became way more common after this came out.
Nice wee tunes, good to dance to.
I liked it - upbeat and enjoyable for background music at work.
4/5. Groovy and foot-tapping funky but it does kind of all sound similar after a while. A pretty catchy chorus line repeated, maybe some rapping in between, and the same drum and bass beat throughout, some ad-lib instrumentation to make each one unique. I wouldn't say this is groundbreaking but it definitely is fun and that's still a valid reason to listen and respect an album. Overall this is more of a 3 but I enjoyed it enough to give it that 4, might change on future listens but that's what I think it deserves so far. Best Song: Connected, Ground Level, Step It Up, Creation
I enjoyed this. It is a UK breakbeat/trip hop sound.
I wasn’t terribly excited upon seeing this album (had a bad feeling) but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The electronic beat with the hiphop lyrics really worked and I had an easy time listening several times. Very cool find!
Well, there is a good bit of nostalgia with Connected. I forgot about Step it Up, too. Other than those, I had never heard this album. It's groovy early 90's dance and British hip pop. Cool music, nice raps. Repetitive, but smooth. I would be fine listening to this every so often. 4.
I was really glad to see this pop up. I have a lot of memories of this one from somewhere around 7th/8th grade. So much funk. I can remember wearing this cassette out listening to the whole album so many times. Connected, Step It Up, Sketch and Creation on their own bring this album to a 4 for me. Cath Coffey's vocals sound great on it. I'm at a 4.5 if I could do it.
At school a girl who liked me gave me a copy of this but as I didn't like her I didn't give it a chance which shows how stupid kids are. It's actually pretty good, bolstered by having four big UK hit singles on it which I know well from extensive radio play at the time. But the rest of the tracks are strong, with good grooves throughout. Worth a go if you are in a 1992 mood.
Bien, bastante disfrutable, Al saber que era electrónico y noventero no me dio buena espina, pero la mayoría de las canciones están padres y sirvieron para una buena caminata dominical.
Not my cup of tea stylistically, but has some catchy tunes and is generally pleasant to listen to
I really enjoyed this album! Very fun songs.
Solid 4. Great album. Aged ok for something that had a « sound » pretty typical of its day.
I really liked the first half of the album a lot more than the second. Starting out, the songs had a really full sound with great samples, but maybe the novelty diminished as I listened for longer. Still a solid album. Almost a 5 star for me had it stuck the landing.
Good
In year 2000 or so, my big brother had gotten his first cd burner and being a poor student he gave me a mix cd for my birthday. He labeled it "Good music" and one of my favourite tracks he had included on it was the title track of this album. To me this still sounds fresh albeit with a distinct early 90's vibe. Might be it goes on for a bit long but it really is an interesting album.
Definite 90’s vibe but I liked it.
Actually really enjoyed this, Manchester vibes
Funky, upbeat, great for a workout and a smooth vibe. Loved it.
I was in the mood today for this alternative hip-hop/trip-hop album from the early 90s. The good vibes were there from start to finish. I enjoyed this!
This one snuck up on me... I'd forgotten how good they actually are...
I loved this record, it sounds super fresh and fun. It definitely feels ahead of it's time, I originally thought it was from the 2000s, and I feel like even if it was released now it would be great (maybe with a cleaner mix). It's more of a triphop record than anything else, it feels very chill but also funky and danceable. I also liked the jazz-y moments they have. The vocals are excellent, but the highlight is the excellent production. It's super groovy and well crafted. The rap is interesting enough, but they're definitely not the best MCs out there. I don't feel it's necessary though, they serve the songs very well and for this record I feel that's perfect. My only criticism is that it feels a bit uniform, like all the songs sound a bit the same. Even though they're great, some sonic or tone variation would've been great. Most of the tracks were excellent, but my favourites were "Connected" and "Pressure". Overall, it's an excellent vibe, super groovy and well made record. This one feels like a 9 to me, missing that last point only because I'd love it to have a bit of more variety. But maybe if I keep coming back to it I'll edit the review and give it 5 stars. It's 4 for now.
Don’t let it fade away
known album, pop meets hip hop, nice raps
Loved dancing to this when it came out. Still love dancing to it!
The Brits are right on this one. I wish this kind of electronic music persisted but ever since labels have been cracking down on sampling it’s pretty tough to do. Anywho I really enjoyed this, i was expecting something a bit more hip-hop forward, but the first rap verse isn’t till song 3 if I remember correctly? This album is pretty hard to categorize into one thing, it’s like a more upbeat version of trip hop I guess, whatever it is it’s great, and intriguing.
Really enjoyed this album. Would be great for a wind down evening after a few drinks at a weekend.
Absolutely banging rap/house/pop from the mid-90s. How you cope with Rob's sarth London drawl will probably determine how many stars. Me - 4.
Laid back and not too loopified. Nice to chill to.
01) Connected - 10,0 02) Ground Level - 10,0 03) Everything - 8,0 04) Sketch - 8,0 05) Fade Away - 8,0 06) All Night Long - 7,5 07) Step It Up - 10,0 08) Playing With Fire - 7,5 09) Pressure - 7,0 10) Chicken Shake - 7,5 11) Creation - 10,0 12) The End - 7,0 TOTAL: 8,38 (84/100) Current ranking: 118/548
Loved it
This is one of the ones I wish I liked less.
- sick album cover first of all - right off the bat I think this is one I’m going to save - the picture coming to mind is a very cool restaurant. for some reason - start of “everything” is spectacular. I don’t know what I’d do!! - “no originals everything’s reproduced” in a song from THIRTY TWO YEARS AGO is extremely keanu reeves smoking - superb album
I quite enjoyed this album. Fun and upbeat, interesting and easy to listen to.
No idea what I was in for with this one. Album cover is giving Aqua, but group name (with weird apostrophe -- is that meant to be plural or possessive?) is giving hip-hop. Wouldn't you know, it's kind of a mix of both. Electro-pop-hop? Trip hop? I've definitely heard some of these tracks before, but I didn't realise it because I was too wee and pre-internet. In retrospect, I love it. Very 90s. I actually considered giving this a 5, which is crazy for a band I've never heard of. Every song is so mellow but with a strong beat. And there's lyrics! And no slurs! I mean, if only everything could be as chill as this. On the other hand, it would fit in nicely as in-store music at a Payless ShoeSource, a store which apparently closed down 6 years ago. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Highlights: 'Connected', 'Pressure'
This is something I would never choose to listen to by myself . That’s why I fucking love it . Don’t ask me why but I really like the tune of this . Reminds me of bakar who is one of my favourite artists . if any of you say its a bit samey i kind of agree and it felt like it dragged. those are the only bad things i could say about it though, i really liked this one. i think my favourite album which i have never hears of so far.
Vibes 4 Stars
The vibe of this album is definitely vibing. Unfortunately I gotta admit I was bored a half an hour in. Love the style tho
I love this stuff. Absolutely superb work. This is right down my alley. Totally my vibe. Anything that sounds like Massive Attack with that electronic trip hop style immediately wins me over. That’s the second time I’ve made a comparison to them already going through this list with the first to Keep On Movin’, another record I really enjoyed. This is certainly on another level of quality though I feel like. It’s groovy af. Screw it yeah this gets a 5. Edit: (5->4) no this album doesn’t get a 5. It was good and definitely my thing but I think this decision was a little too heavily based on the absolute BANGER the title track was. Which unfortunately is not the whole album because it just falls off a bit from there.
Pretty cool
Awesome bangers!
Interesting
I woke up slightly broken and this thing patched me right up. It’s got that bounce - you know, the kind that wakes your brain without demanding too much of it. Feels like Gorillaz got a hold of some old-school hip-hop gear and a crate of acid jazz vinyls. There’s this early '90s UK swagger all over it, but weirdly, it doesn’t sound stuck in the '90s. It’s ahead of its time without waving it in your face. Really slick production, too - tight without being sterile. Great hangover companion. Might start keeping it in the emergency kit next to the ibuprofen and Gatorade. Spins: 3 Playlist Additions: - Connected - Ground Level - Step It Up - Fade Away
Brought back some memories
I genuinely enjoyed it, but I couldn’t help but feel like this album is to more prominent 90s hip hop what Olive Garden is to Italian food.
I expected this to be bobbins beyond the first song but it is tons of fun. I stopped noting down the tracks I especially liked as it's all of them bar about two
Fun! I like soft complicated arrangements, which is every song, so they dialed in their sound well.
70/1089 - I liked it but don't understand why it's on the list. It's a bit repetitive but there's enough different layers and musical ideas to keep the songs from becoming too samey.
Connected is such a good tune. Everything is good. It's a little dated, but not in a bad way. It just happens to have two big massive singles
I remember back in 1993? I went to see U2 at Wembley Stadium and I was a bit annoyed at the Stereo MC’s were supporting as I had no interest in “ this type of music “. Turns out it’s actually pretty good when you give it a chance! Haha. Enjoyed this album way more than I thought I would. One of 1001 albums…. Not so sure!
nothing to complain about here! i really like listening to this kind of music while i’m working because it’s fun and dynamic but not something i need to think too deeply about. no single song stood out to me and it did feel a little long BUT i enjoyed it. also i recognized the first song from one of the hood internet’s mashups lol.
i feel like i've been listening to a lot more trip hop than usual lately so this album came at a great time. i really enjoyed this!
Random thoughts: * I don't remember the song "Connected" coming out. I don't remember anyone say you gotta check out this song or I'm a huge Stereo MC's fan. I don't remember it being on the hot countdown. However, it has always seemed to exist in some sort of subconscious in my brain as I can sing every word. I couldn't pick out the specific year it came out in the 90s. However, it has been a staple of sound that I have somehow heard this song 100s of times without ever actually choosing to hear this song before today. I'm not sure what point I'm trying to make except that this song is surprisingly ubiquitous in the most positive sense. I wonder if this is limited to people my age or is something universal for all-age listeners of Western pop music. * Interesting, this album is in the same mold and is super chill and fun. I wish I had owned this album in the 90s as I think it would have been a staple of mine. I'll just have to enjoy it now and try to remember to revisit it often.
A pretty good album, I liked the song Everything the most.
Fun one to revisit. It still holds up well.
Überrascht, zwar knapp vier Sterne, aber hat Spaß gemacht
Surprisingly pleasant
Cut to the chase - Definitely one of the best ever British Hippity-Hop albums...ever. Several tracks will be familiar to many, but the whole album sparkles with an enjoyable groove.
One of those albums that you judge the cover, genre and year and think “this isnt gonna be good” After two spins, I actually found myself digging about half the songs. It says something about my bias. Its really rare that I like hip hop albums, but this shit is rad Playing With Fire (sampling Monkey Man from Let It Bleed) was awesome. Sketch was a fun tune. The End (james brown payback) was groovy. 3.5 stars. Ill round up and give 4 stars for a hip hop album
02/02/25 This was actually a harmless listen. Didn't know what to expect when I saw the album cover.
I really liked the sound and energy of this album. A lot of the songs had an interesting sound and were catchy, I'll grab the full album and see how I sort the songs between my a-list and b-list, but I definitely think this album fills in a niche that is currently lacking. I liked Fade Away and Connected, but honestly I like them all. Also vibed with the accents in this. 4.5 stars.
It's fun, it's catchy, it's vibes, I like
Cool back then. Kitch now.
I really like the singles off this album, but the rest gets a bit samey. Great background music for working though!
This to me is optimal early 90s dance music - decent beats, very catchy, and some painfully-white rap over the top of it. Cheesy as hell, but I kinda love it. I don't think anything quite lives up to the level of the singles though.
I really don't understand the hate! This is awesome!
Classic
Solid beats, always understandable lyrics, good jam
Enjoyed
great. 3.5
This was surprisingly really good
Überrascht, zwar knapp vier Sterne, aber hat Spaß gemacht
Groovy
Incredibly enjoyable throwback for my Saturday. Nothing life changing. The aspects I enjoyed about this would go on to get refined with trip hop, but this serves as a fun intermediate album between two eras. A solid 3.5/5 for me, but its lightness makes it hard for me to go above that. I’ve got a lot of respect for Stereo MCs and their reinvestment of a surprise massive hit back into the electronic scenes.
I didn’t think I knew Stereo MC’s *Connected* album until I pressed play, and it hit me like a wave of nostalgia. Released in 1992 during my senior year of high school, this album instantly brought me back to the dances we had on weekends after football games—the excitement, the energy, and the unmistakable vibe of the early '90s. The title track, “Connected,” with its infectious groove and soulful message, remains an anthem of its time. Its funky beats and catchy chorus were made for packed gym floors and dimly lit parties. Tracks like “Step It Up” and “Ground Level” carry the same electric energy, blending hip-hop, funk, and electronic elements in a way that felt ahead of its time yet unmistakably rooted in the culture of the '90s. What stands out the most is the album’s message. Beneath the slick beats and rhythms, there's a theme of human connection, self-discovery, and empowerment—a perfect soundtrack for young adults navigating life, as many of us were back then. Stereo MC’s *Connected* is more than just an album; it’s a time capsule. Listening to it now reminds me of simpler times when weekends were all about friends, fun, and those unforgettable moments on the dance floor. It’s a classic that still holds up, and I love rediscovering its magic. Highly recommended for anyone looking to reconnect with the spirit of the early '90s.
Not quite as good as hearing it for the first time in the early 90s, but this brought back some memories 👌🏼 Groundbreaking? Probably not. Solid? Definitely.
a bit of a nice coincidence i got my Japanese CD of Mind the Gap before getting assigned this to listen to. what you get from this is pretty much what you would expect of a release with these tags and released at this time -- something groovy and clubby, if a bit dated. it does slow down in the middle a bit with "Fade Away" and "Pressure", but the majority of Connected never leaves its (and my) comfort zone of transporting you to the Hacienda in 1992 while fucked up on E and swinging your arms around like a moron. it was supposed to be baggy summer at some point this decade. and then it wasn't. a shame.
So groooovy. Love it!
Rating: 7.5/10
You see, here I am full of contradictions. I really liked this.it was boppy, had great beat and rhythm. The lyrics are tuneful, and not offensive or inflammatory. Basically thers plenty to like and nothing to dislike. The only criticism I could possibly give is that it doesn't have that special something to make it a classic, and therefore a 5. So it'll be getting a very well deserved 4 from me.
I'd forgotten how good this album is. I'd also nearly forgotten seeing them live at Glastonbury 93. Probably too many mushrooms with my breakfast or something? When I played this again it brought some great memories back. All the singles are banging tunes and the whole thing has just a happy vibe going on. Nice to have a small slice of my youth brought back to me. I'll be playing this again very soon. 4 stars
Hoy martes tocan disco y artista desconocidos. Ya con su primer tema (que creo haberlo escuchado) me recuerdan a la movida trip-hop de los 90s pero un poco más arriba, más luminosa. Ideal para ir amenizando la previa de una fiesta. Una grata sorpresa en los últimos meses del 2024. Hasta el jueves.
The outro ride out grooves on every song is killer. Makes me excited for the next track every time. Some great gems on this album, including 'Connected', which was made famous by the 90s movie Hackers.
better than it has any right to be
Oli höveli olo. Yksi tähti nostalgialisää.
If your have asked me two years ago to rate the Stereo Macs, I probably would've said two stars; 700+ albums into this project I have developed a new appreciation of the subtleties of mediocrity. The rap is All Filler: No Killer on this album, but the tunes are catchy and they have bothered with interesting instrumentation (i.e. some bleeps and a saxophone). It's somewhere between 2 and 4 stars, and I've just had a nice breakfast, so... Next!
Kind of like if Stone Roses took meth and listened to heaps of reggae
better than I remember more one hit
Holy 90s Batman!
very fun
I really like this group. I think a lot of people think of them as one hit wonders or a flash in the pan, but I’ve always appreciate what they bring to the table. Kind of an uncool coolness that is both admirable and not worth riding for.
Great album, very good background noise.
I think I liked this more than it deserves. I was really vibing with it! The beats were cool and the vocals were decent. My only complaint is it's length. Some of the songs had about 3 minutes of looped beats with nothing else. Outside of that, I really enjoyed it.
Some classic 90s grooves
I'd completely forgotten about these guys. Found I had a few of their tracks saved on Spotify, and found some more to like on this album. It's just a bit short on ideas across its run time and track to make it a 5, but I'm amazed this as far back as '92!
Lil funky
one star off for the song that starts with a killer coming at me or whatever. the rest slaps
Рэп-электроника с приятным женским вокалом и пофигистской мужской читкой. На чилле, на расслабоне.
Surprisingly good. Good lyrics and catchy beats.
yksiselitteisesti päheätä musiikkia. ei voi nuoret, nuoret sukupolvet lätistää tätä alas... seisoo ajan testissä.. hyviä wiboja ei mitään muuta piru vie piru vieköön teidät nuoret... ette voi pahoin tästä sanoa, pirulainen teidät kaapatkoon.. go to the left... now go to the right... move it up and freak it all the way down... do the twist... now do the shake... roll it all around... and then make the bake... yeah yeah yeah... jaha ja yhtä tähteä herrasmiehet ojentamassa.. taitaa uusintakuuntelu olla luvassa nimittäin album fun as hell connected
surprisingly decent. maybe the first album on the list that I haven't listed to before but would absolutely listen to again.
Surprising slay
Its was really in, then really out and now its really in again
Slick 4.2
8/10 fun! I like it
Very '90s and didn't age that well. But it slaps pretty hard nonetheless
Connected (the title song) is amazing. First heard it on the Hackers soundtrack and found this album from there.
Feels a bit like background music at times but is compelling enough to warrant a second listen.
Good
Electronic music typically don't resonate with me unless they have lyrics I can sing along to...so this album was a pleasant surprise for me. The song Everything to me was everything in this album, electronic, 90's hip hop vibes and 70's jazz vibes, the back up singers, and a fife!
I enjoy the Stereo MC’s very early 90’s British electronic/rap vibe. It seemed so cutting edge at the time. This actually sounds like the soundtrack to MTV interviewing twenty-something’s about their sex lives for one of those “hip” 90’s sex documentaries they were so keen on producing back then. I would put this on to chill to or clean the house, or to reminisce about an MTV approved life I didn’t have at that time.
The first song (Connected) is such a blast from the 90s past. A fun kickoff. This album has a pretty unique sound. Feels like it straddles a line between the 80s and 90s, with a fusion of pop, new wave, and hip hop. It’s fun and bouncy and a good time.
Class
See how you can have a mixed race band and not be woke?
Really enjoyed it. Kinda exactly what i was expecting.
Better than expected
this was a surprisingly fun and enjoyable album.
I feel like this album had to have provided some amount of inspiration for early Gorillaz. It's funkier than you would expect from an album of its time.
5/5: Connected, Sketch, Step it Up, Playing with Fire, The End 4/5: Ground Level, Creation. Rating: 4/5
Groovy beats, solid album.
Un poco repetitivo.
I love this album. I’m going to put some of these on my playlist. I knew I would love this album as soon as it started. Reminds me of songs played to me as a kid
Had only heard the title track and Step It Up previous to this. Funky little album. Not quite acid jazz, but some nice hip-hop beats mixed with some jazz and synth loops.
Cool
This album felt like a precursor to Gorillaz or similar type of electronica meets hip hop. Really enjoyed this album.
I was kinda contemptuous of Stereo MC's at the time (and that apostrophe still makes my eye twitch) but I lived with someone in the early 2000s that liked them, so I guess I warmed to em a little, and have a certain amount of nostalgia now. They suffer horribly if you compare them with any proper trip-hop, but I guess they're not trying to be full trip-hop, just trip-hop adjacent? 🤷 Fave tracks - "Connected", I guess - it's not quite overplayed enough to grind my gears. "Playing With Fire" is probably their moodiest tune...
This was an interesting album. A fusion of funk and hip hop, "Connected" is pleasantly surprising. This album performed quite well on the European charts.
Super solid album.
One of those albums that will get you dancing even if you loathe dancing.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere and clean beats as well as diversity throughout the album, great for almost any occasion in my opinion.
This album is what I expected Beck to be more like. Such a chill, head-bopping album. Nothing crazy exciting, but I was nodding along the whole time to the beat. The interspersed sax, guitar, and piano are great touches. The lyricist has great flow. Definitely thought this was a strong 4 star right out of the gate, but it slowly drifted down to 3.5. This one gets the nudge to 4 stars because I was certainly grooving the whole time and so that it can be my 1,000th star.
Un poco repetitivo.
The titular song has been appropriated endlessly in the UK mainly for a certain telecommunications company which distracts somewhat from what is a solid album. I can remember listening to it as a young child and enjoying something that sounded completely new and fresh and it still has that air.
Overused in adverts in the 90s but actually quite good!
7/10. I liked this one. Had some smooth flow to it, and felt more soothing than boring. Lyrics were decently clever throughout which is always nice.
There’s no doubt that yesterday’s Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here” is a grown up, technically dense, varied and much more interesting album than Connected, however this is so much more fun. It bounces along with cool grooves and worthy, albeit extremely naive, lyrics. Vaguely superficial, light but very entertaining - in the same league as Dee-Lite, but more to my taste.
Hat mir gut gefallen. Lässige Songs. 4.0
The album Connected is a great party album with an upbeat, positive, and consistently good listen . The album offers a seamless blending of hip-hop, funk, soul, and rock'n'roll, and the goosebump-inducing vocal harmonies . The album has a hypnotic quality of dance music, the attitude of hip-hop, and its vocals were unplaceable . The album has a fantastic pop group with fantastic pop songs . The album has a good production quality and the lyrics are well written . The title track "Connected" is a testament to the unifying power of music, its influence on humanity, and the deep-seated connection between people . The song has an infectious rhythm and electrifying energy that has made it timeless . The song has been used in ads for The Carphone Warehouse and has featured in film soundtracks . The song has become so recognizable that it has been covered by many artists Overall, Connected by Stereo MC's is a great album that offers a seamless blending of hip-hop, funk, soul, and rock'n'roll. The album has a good production quality and the lyrics are well written. The title track "Connected" is a testament to the unifying power of music and has an infectious rhythm and electrifying energy that has made it timeless. Pros: Offers a seamless blending of hip-hop, funk, soul, and rock'n'roll Good production quality Well-written lyrics The title track "Connected" is a testament to the unifying power of music and has an infectious rhythm and electrifying energy that has made it timeless Cons: Some reviewers have criticized the album for being a party album without much substance Some tracks on the album may not be as impressive as others
I really think this is one of the more underrated albums of the 90s. It really gave birth to a lot of the lo-fi hip-hop sounds.
Very good album with some great songs
Good mix and feel, easy listening and good album.
I enjoyed this a lot. The lo-fi hip hop sound is very groovy. Reminds me a lot of The Streets which is another album I enjoyed a lot. Like most albums on this list I think it outstays its welcome by about 10 minutes. Short of that though good stuff! 4
Actually pretty good. I liked the sound of them.
3.7 nokså bra album
Een album dat al vele jaren in mijn playlist staat. Het komt vaak voorbij en ik zap het eigenlijk nooit weg. Prima album dus. Maar waarom eigenlijk? Is het heel bijzonder? Dat valt toch wel mee? Is er een element wat er bovenuit springt? Denk het niet. Wellicht is het gewoon de sfeer. Er is weinig muziek waar ik relaxted van word. Maar dit album bereikt dat wel.
Wow
Extremely groovy to start off, sax stands out in "Sketch", Playing with Fire", "Pressure". Vocals nicely complemented the instruments and the funky beat, overall great album. 4.5
Connected & Step Up are two of my favorite jams of the era. The rest of the album made for good background dance. 3.5 stars.
It isn’t the most exciting but I’ll be damned if it didn’t keep me moving. I couldn’t tell you a single track by name without looking at it because they do feel similar, but they all just feel so dancey.
Really solid 90s sound, liked it a lot!
Familiarity: 0/10 Playful and small party driven hip hop. Go back to this one, it’ll only get better. True Rating: 7/10
By God, even 90s white UK hip hop is better than its present day contemporaries. Guess it's not surprising in hindsight, as funk-based beats will always crush electronica-based ones. Favorite track: Don't Let Up
Low 4 - fun and well put together, flows well enough but personal preference says to reach for contemporaries and the trip-hop scene at the time
Favourite tracks: connected; step it up; ground level; creation; fade away
I really enjoyed this one. The mix of sounds were pleasing to the ears and got me moving my head back and forth. Very talented group of mc’s!
A fun album with a lot of sick beats. You can hear the influence this would one day have on artists like Ibibio Sound Machine. Connected, Fade Away, and Step it Up are new favs
Sometimes you are in the right mood to listen to an album. I think that was the case with this one. I actually enjoyed it despite being not my usual thing.
I feel the 90s here. It wasn’t difficult for me to listen to, but it also sounds like they had one basic formula for all the tracks. So, I guess it was just a little bland for me as an album.
I bought this CD when it came out but, judging by how unfamiliar the songs are, I only listened to the whole thing a couple of times. A nice 90s dance sound throughout but nothing as memorable as the title track.
Really enjoyed this one!
I have mates that claim this is one of the greatest albums released, I am not sure I agree with them but it is good. Their drugged up rave funk is epic in spots but at times feels like you've been cornered at a party by that geez who has mixed their smack and the whizz. Connected and Step it are smashing anthems
pretty album. maybe a 4? its very early 90s.
fy fan vad de är bra
Album van de Britse hiphop / dance groep Stereo MC, meest bekend van de titelsong. De tracklist bestaat uit een dertiental groovy nummers die allemaal wel lekker klinken. Toegankelijk en leuk. leukste nummer: Connected Stereo MC heeft een eigen label "Connected", vernoemd naar "Connected" van het album "Connected."
Enjoyable