OutKast has almost singlehandedly defined the sound of Atlanta rap. Tongue-flippin', rhyme-spittin' and Cadillac-ridin', all with a Southern accent, Big Boi and Dre have proved tobe the South's ideal MCs. ATLIENS continues in the same vein as Outkast's 1994 debut, SOUTHERNPLAYALISTICADILLACMUZIK, with producers Organized Noize back to accompany the duo's laid-back flow. Big Boi and Dre proclaim to prove a point with every rhyme, never wasting a line. They like to think of themselves as outcasts from the hip-hop community--aliens,so to speak. Their tracks have an outer-space feeling to them--a feeling that, ironically, has warmed the community right up to them. They're so out, they're in. Album Description
Outkast's second album is one of the greatest sophomore releases of all time. Big Boi and Dre continue with what they left off in Southernplayalistic... They have some of the best beats the South has ever produced and two of the best flows out there. It truly is a combination that can't go wrong. Idlewild and Speakerboxx/Love Below are decent albums, but do not judge Outkast until you listen to ATLiens and Aquemini. Both are easily 10 out of 10 classics.
February 28, 2008 |  | (4.5 stars) Progressive hip-hop is so cool... |  |
If all rap was like this album, I would listen to the genre a lot more than I do. It manages to be totally out-there (the spacey "Wheelz of Steel", a favorite of mine because of the creepy Spanish guitar and weird synthesizer squeaks and what have you; "Elevators", which sounds like Pink Floyd meets rap), but really catchy regardless (title song; "Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)"). They even screw with your standard "rap ballad" on "Jazzy Belle" with echoey backup vocals. These guys know how to use the studio as an instrument, that's for sure. It's not just the studio effects that make this such a good release, either. It's also about Andre 3000 and Big Boi - two charismatic rappers with interesting voices who are capable of just packing their songs with as many rhymes as possible - without getting tongue-tied. Plus some great social commentary on "Ova Da Wudz"; "Elevators (Me & You)"; and "Babylon", which might be the best "rap-ballad" I've ever heard. I love that song's chorus... "Oooh, I think the battle's just begun...". Good stuff. And the beats are pretty sweet, too ("Over Da Wudz"). But the thing I really like about this album is the hypnotic mood it has, you know? Surprisingly, I even like the generic little interlude thingy that finds its way onto every rap album ("Wailin'"). It's quite funky. And I really like "Mainstream" - again, because of all the atmospheric "stuff". And our chorus. Now here's a group that understands the power of the chorus. "When it ain't all peaches and cream!" and so forth. "Decatur Psalm" isn't quite as big as the other songs, but it's got a nice chorus and a delicate wah-wah part, so it's good. Same with "Millennium" - not a standout, but a good song because of the mood. The only weak track is "E.T.", a song where nothing happens. It seems as though something's about to happen, but nothing does. Very bad song on a very good album. But even then, it's tough to deny the power of the moving, piano-based "13th Floor/Growing Old". Get this right away. I don't care how much you think you hate rap. This isn't your average rap album. Awesome cover art, too.
December 7, 2007makes accents and country ways more than acceptable -- it makes it a fad. OutKast successfully continues to make being country cool.
October 13, 2007| | | No Sophomore Jinx for Outkast | |
ATLiens, in my opinion, is a better CD than Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Both are definite hip hop classics, but I have this draw to ATLiens. I can't explain what it is.
The CD is very different from the first. Where the first was built around the gangster concept, this CD builds its own concept. One I have yet to put a name to.
My favorite songs include Two Dope Boys, ATLiens, Jazzy Belle, Elevators, Babylon, Millenium, and Extra-Terrestrial.
Definite Must Have.
October 3, 2007| | | Outkast's often forgotten classic sophomore joint....... | |
Outkast dont get enough credit for ATLiens. This joint dropped in 1996 at the height of the East Coast/ West Coast rap beef. They had the balls to be different but still maintained their dopeness. This joint was and still is light years ahead of the competition when it comes to artistic vision, flows and beats. Bow Down!
Top Joints:
Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac)
ATLiens
Wheelz Of Steel (A Summer Banger)
Jazzy Belle
Elevators (Me & You) (Classic, what more can be said?)
Babylon
Mainstream (Aint all Peaches N Cream)Classic
Decatur Psalm (Negroe Spiritual Banger)
13th Floor/Growing Old (Kast version of Hip Hop Is Dead. Big Rube nails the spoken word.)
March 13, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
