(3+half) 20/20...brings DILATED back into focus!! After the slightly disjointed (in my opinion) album "Neighbourhood Watch" I was urging these underground heroes to come correct.I see signs of that on this album that has convinced me they're on their way back to their best. The obvious tracks such as "Back Again", "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run", "Kindness For Weakness", "The Eyes Have It" and "20/20" reaffirmed my belief in their skills. However weak-ish tracks like "Firepower" and "The One And Only" take away from the overall quality. The big surprise for me was Evidence's delivery over alot of the tracks. His usual laidback flow sound's almost lazy. The beats on "Olde English" and "Rapid Transit" arent your usual Dilated tracks, they're really dark and sinister with Defari and Krondon appearing on them respectively. Then with the other solid tracks "Alarm Clock Music", "Another Sound Mission" and "Satellite Radio" we definitely get an improved album from the Peoples. Tight flows and beats for the most part. Straight laced hiphop all the way, you couldnt ask for any more. Maybe abit more energy from Evidence (which we'll hopefully see on his solo album "The Weatherman" later this year) but other than that, you'll enjoy this.
Really Consistent or Really Redundant? (3.5 Stars) I guess it all comes down to personal perspective. 20/20 isn't a bad album. It's very familiar and listening to it gives me a "been there, done that" type of feeling. There are some bangers on the album though (it's Dilated, so you know you can expect a certain level of quality). The production on the album is definitely soulful and dope. Standout tracks like "Back Again", "The Eyes Have It", "Kindness For Weakness" feat. Talib Kweli, and "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run" definitely make this album worth owning. Also, as a DJ, I'm especially fond of albums that allow the DJ to showcase their talents. Babu does his thing and he does it well. Just check out "The One And Only" to hear what I'm talkin' about.
With soulful, bangin' production and precise scratches and cuts all throughout, what makes the album somewhat lackluster is the lyricism.....or lack thereof. I think I said this on the Neighborhood Watch review, but Evidence needs to step up his game. His content never changes and his flow is virtually nonexistent and I think we've heard everything he has to say (you're loyal to your crew, you smoke weed, and you'll never change....okay, we get it already). Rakaa is still tight, but I think Ev's lack of improvement is what keeps this from being a 4 star LP. Also, there are a few tracks that simply do not work. Tracks like "Olde English" feat. Defari (who is in the same boat as Evidence lyrically), "Satellite Radio", and "Another Sound Mission" could've been left off the album. And "Firepower" was straight up boring despite it's good lyrical content courtesy of Rakaa. I wasn't feelin' the skits either, but they stayed within the theme of the album, so I can't complain about them too much.
20/20 is a decent album. The beats are strong, but the lyrics can be spotty from time to time. Evidence needs to step up his lyrical game. The lyrics may have taken a step backward, but it's still a solid effort. When it's all said and done, the album won't blow your socks off, but you won't be mad at yourself for buying it either. Like I said in the beginning, it's really consistent or really redundant depending on your personal view, but it's still a good album. I recommend checking it out.
Standout Tracks: 20/20, You Can't Hide You Can't Run, The Eyes Have It, Back Again, The One And Only (My Favorite), Alarm Music, and Kindness For Weakness feat. Talib Kweli
Really Consistent or Really Redundant? (3.5 Stars) I guess it all comes down to personal perspective. 20/20 isn't a bad album. It's very familiar and listening to it gives me a "been there, done that" type of feeling. There are some bangers on the album though (it's Dilated, so you know you can expect a certain level of quality). The production on the album is definitely soulful and dope. Standout tracks like "Back Again", "The Eyes Have It", "Kindness For Weakness" feat. Talib Kweli, and "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run" definitely make this album worth owning. Also, as a DJ, I'm especially fond of albums that allow the DJ to showcase their talents. Babu does his thing and he does it well. Just check out "The One And Only" to hear what I'm talkin' about.
With soulful, bangin' production and precise scratches and cuts all throughout, what makes the album somewhat lackluster is the lyricism.....or lack thereof. I think I said this on the Neighborhood Watch review, but Evidence needs to step up his game. His content never changes and his flow is virtually nonexistent and I think we've heard everything he has to say (you're loyal to your crew, you smoke weed, and you'll never change....okay, we get it already). Rakaa is still tight, but I think Ev's lack of improvement is what keeps this from being a 4 star LP. Also, there are a few tracks that simply do not work. Tracks like "Olde English" feat. Defari (who is in the same boat as Evidence lyrically), "Satellite Radio", and "Another Sound Mission" could've been left off the album. And "Firepower" was straight up boring despite it's good lyrical content courtesy of Rakaa. I wasn't feelin' the skits either, but they stayed within the theme of the album, so I can't complain about them too much.
20/20 is a decent album. The beats are strong, but the lyrics can be spotty from time to time. Evidence needs to step up his lyrical game. The lyrics may have taken a step backward, but it's still a solid effort. When it's all said and done, the album won't blow your socks off, but you won't be mad at yourself for buying it either. Like I said in the beginning, it's really consistent or really redundant depending on your personal view, but it's still a good album. I recommend checking it out.
Standout Tracks: 20/20, You Can't Hide You Can't Run, The Eyes Have It, Back Again, The One And Only (My Favorite), Alarm Music, and Kindness For Weakness feat. Talib Kweli
DEFINITIVE L.A. RAP Ignore any haters, this Dilated release is just as good as all the rest, truly DEFINITIVE L.A. RAP .... I don't need to spend much time spelling-out the assets of Dilated Peoples, anyone reading this should know by now how truly talented this multi-ethnic (just like Los Angeles itself) rap group is, pretty much blowing away ALL competition in my eyes. They're the perfect balance of Old-School intelligence meets New School production-delivery. Very VERY highly recommended, as all of their cds are, a must-have release really, again, as all the rest are...get a taste of L.A. and check this out, trust me, you won't be disappointed!!! A steal at this price, BUY IT and nod your head, holmes.
Give credit where credit is due You cannot really judge a group like Dialated Peoples, they have their own style and own flavor which a few have tried to copy and have failed. Their style is of a sort of mainstream/yet laid back underground hip hop flow powered by the all-mighty DJ Babu. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing on this album that hasn't been heard before. Straight front to back tight lyrics and tight delivery backed by Babu's awesome pounding beats and their forray of guests. Don't expect a group like DP to try something new and go out on a limb or push the envelope on creativity, thats not what they do. They craft tight hip hop that stays within the confines of hip hop. And in the confines of hip hop, 20/20 is a very well put together album. The stand out track is obviously "Kindess for Weakness" featuring Talib Kwali, but the rest of the album is not to be sat on. I am not the biggest Dialated Peoples fan, but I will eat up a DP album because their lyrical delivery and production is always tight.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
