A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders

How dissapointing...

Of course, that really doesn't mean much for ATCQ, since this album is still miles ahead from the boring gangster rap and miles times ten ahead of third rate try-too-hard rap artists like jay-z and kanye west these days (let's not even mention crunk and snap audio).

While the style isn't as intriguing as (especially) People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm or The Low End Theory, it's more darker sound is welcome. The first three albums offer something different for each listen. Quest proves that they can create a mood with the music, which is what all hip-hop albums should offer regarding (The Low End Theory's mood to me represents the need to just bring it no-nonsense. Some have more than others, but it's got to have something, even if it's just to dance).

It's opens with the coolest intro ever, The Midnight Marauders Tour Guide. Right from that, you know this album will be cool as night. And cool as night it is, with Steve Biko. Starting with old, horns that sound straight from downtown at 2 AM, Phife boasts and Tip flows. Skipping forward, you have Electric Relaxation, a rather, sexy song. Oh My God, while having an absurd title, contains more infectious beats. Award Tour has really jazzy, low key sampling with a cameo from De La Soul (not sure if it's Plug one or Plug two). Cool, dark, moody stuff. Tribe truly were one of the best rap artists, and one I've truly loved ever since TI.

While it's not as musically interesting, I feel they do some of their most accomplished rapping here. True, not as playful and wide-ranging as rap's best album ever, but they never fault.

Oh, and what's with the last two tracks? The Chase is just bad, with an annoying guitar solo and disrupts the album. And God Lives Through may be the worst Tribe song so far. The beat is bad enough, but the chorus (a repeat from Oh My God) isn't really praise to god. It sounds more like saying God's name in vain. So that song fails on every count. When those songs are taken out, the last track contains the outro to the Tour Guide, so those songs aren't a loss in any way.

While I find it a tad worse than The Low End Theory, all three albums are essential listens. Those looking for rap different than the usual stuff, give this a listen. It's not just different, it's crazy _______ good.

8.5/10 May 8, 2008

A Tribe Called Quest

If you like the A tribe called quest past cds then you'll like this one. Add this to your collection. April 7, 2008

Tribe's finest work to date

It really pleases me that Amazon allows us lovers of the artform known as hip-hop, to share our reviews, which in turn, provokes thoughtful debate such "greatest emcee of all-time" or "greatest group of all time". The question I pose today is, which is Tribe's best album?

The answer my friends, is Midnight Marauders.

People's Instinctive Travels and The Low End Theory are fine pieces of work, but are incomplete, which is understandable, because these young men were just beginning to mature as men and as artists. Midnight Marauders showcases Tip, Shaheed, and Malik at their artistic zenith.

The album starts of with a good track, "Steve Biko", then transitions into "Award Tour". From there, songs like "We Can Get Down" and "Sucka N!&&@" accentuate the album's earlier work. From there, we have my favorite song from Tribe's entire catalogue, "Electric Relaxation".

I think it must be said this one of the most beautiful musical arrangements I have ever heard. When Phife spits, " I like them brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian", I swear the man set the tone for my dating life (I like them ALL flavors). The song is simply breathtaking.

From there, the album supplies more bangers, especially " Oh My God" (love the video) and " Lyrics To Go", and possesses the perfect nightcap with "God Lives Through" aka "Oh My God" (remix).

The balance this album strikes without the use of excessive profanity or the glorification of violence is amazing. Please do yourself a favor and cop this album. You will not be disappointed. April 6, 2008

"Like to take this time to say what up to Kool G my name is Q-Tip The Midnight Maruader...."

You finish the rest"Vibes & Stuff"

Well I first heard of Tribe when I was in junior high when I was hooked on 50 Cent in 2003 but once I was with my bro and my friends and was listening to the radio and heard the song "Find A Way" and I was hooked on them.

Now im done reminsicing now lets get to the album. Phife and Tip are on point through the whole release and their chemistry is as strong like on "The Low End Theory". As the production was excellent on the LET this one climbed to bigger steps from the beats ranging from songs like "Award Tour", Electric Relaxation" and "Lyrics To Go"(you gotta love that sample lol).

As the production packs a punch the lyrics on this album are dope as well from Phife tellin his stories about struggles on "8 Million Stories", Tip addressing N word on "Sucka Ni**a" to Tips story on the song "Midnight" backed up by a smooth beat.

Overall this album is album is just perfect album and is the perfect marriage between beats to lyrics. The only thing I missed on this album as they only had only a couple guest apperances(Trugoy doing the chorus on Award Tour, Busta on Award Tour and Extra P). I wish they would have people like Diamond D, Brand Nubian would appear on the album but at least they have some people with Extra P dropping a memorable verse dropping lines like

"Large youse the soul brother that I'd like to
eff with for the rest of my life" yeah yeah now check the method"

anyways if you dont have this album your missing out especially if your fans of De La, Digable Planets, Gang Starr, etc. so do yourself a favor and PICK IT UP

Favorite Tracks: All of them but if I had to pick one it would probably be either "Electric Relaxation", "Lyrics To Go" or "Sucka N*gga" can't choose lol February 26, 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen, lend them your ears!

What more can I say about that hasnt been said? This album is easily ATCQ's best work to date. When I first heard Phife's solo joint butter, I thought that was his best solo cut until I heard 8 Million Stories. Fire is the only way I can describe that track. Award Tour was great first single because it gives you exactly what you're going to get from this album: quality hip hop. Sucka N---- is Q-tip's explanation for the infamous "N" word. Electric Relaxation is one of the best hip hop song for ladies ever. Phife Dawg steals the show on Oh My God while Busta Rhymes provides the rowdy hook. As far as flaws dont even play yourself like that. This album is a classic in every sense of the word. The production is great and Phife Dawg and Q-Tip flowed well from track to track. Recommended? Is that a trick question? Of course! Standouts: STEVE BIKO(STIR IT UP), AWARD TOUR, 8 MILLION, MIDNIGHT, ELECTRIC RELAXATION, CLAP YOUR HANDS, OH MY GOD, THE CHASE and LYRICS TO GO. February 3, 2008

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