Leaders of the New School - T.I.M.E.

scenario style

I like this release much better than the first one. The first was entirely too silly for me and I didn't like the delivery of the rhymes on that one. On this album the emcees are using the style similar to what really made them dope on A tribe called quest's the scenario song. all of the songs on this album have that same hype energy like they had on the Scenario. This album has a better delivery of style, displays a more animated Busta (more like we know him now) and the other two emcees seem to have matured more with their rhymes on this release. Overall the second release in my opinion is much better than the first. February 24, 2008

Great Album, Not So Great Chemestry...(Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars)

I know I'm going to receive a lot of unhelpful votes because I didn't give this album a perfect 10 like everyone else did. Trufully, this album deserves a 7, but this album is very nostalgic in hip hop, so I rank it a higher score. L.O.N.S. were going through so many problems when they dropped this back in '93. Hell they weren't even on the same page when making this album. When they dropped their first LP A Future Without a Past... that spun their popularity. Then with The Inner Mind's Eye, one thing that seemed to poke out at me: Busta Rhymes. His realization of the fact that people were enjoying the verses he dropped and would always have them on repeat, because most people had no idea what he was saying with his fast and tounge twisted type flow (thank god the lyrics are in the linear notes), as if he was trying to rise above the other members. Mix that with rhymes from Dinco D (who I believe is average...thats just me though), Charlie Brown, and Milo with some solid production, and we have T.I.M.E.

Am I writing this LP off? No, don't get the idea of that. In fact this album is excellent. There are some excellent tracks despite the tension that was starting to grow in between members. "Classic Material" is self explanitory. "Connections" is a lively track that easily stands out. "Spontaneous 13 Emcees Deep" features 13 short verses from L.O.N.S., Rumplestiltskinz, Rampage, and others. What I find is the best track would be the last one "The Difference" which I believe every member is actually on the same page when they made this song, because it vibes so easily. "Syntax Era" is another good song.

The production is okay. Don't expect for it to be like their first LP. On this one, it sounds real mellow, but at the same time hard hitting. Some of the tracks had medicore basslines like "Daily Reminder". Also "Time Will Tell" was another song with production I just wasn't feeling.

Overall "T.I.M.E.: The Inner Mind's Eye" is a solid album for '93. Even though there were some problems, most of the songs on this album still rock. Maybe if they weren't at so many disagreements, this could have been a much better album (think of ATCQ's The Love Movement and what they were going through while making that album). But I recommend you check this album out if you're into early 90's rap, or if you want to hear Busta Rhymes comming up. Peace.

In response to one reviewer: This album received 4 mics in The Source Magazine. Last time I checked, that was not an embarassingly low rating.

Lyrics: B+
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: B
Musical Vibes: B+

Top 5 Favorite Tracks:
1. The Differance
2. Classic Material
3. Connections
4. Spontaneous (13 MC's Deep)
5. Syntax Era July 23, 2007

Tell me do you know the inner.. minds eye is the center?!

Before Busta became the movie star he is now, he used to rip lines like... "Chicky-chaka Chewbaca/ gitty gitty gotcha!!!" Amazing right?! My wife still can't get that phrase down, even after coaching her everytime. Okay, it's corny, but it's dope as well.

All joking aside this LP IS dope! At the time of its release it got mixed reviews and a lot of people didn't like it. I remember reading a review in The Source when this album came out and the 1st sentence said Busta should do a solo record. Funny...

I love this record, straight up classic material. There's a reason they've got a title with the same name. Dope beats, rhymes... if you liked "Scenero" or how J5 rhymes you'll dig this album. Personally one of my favorite albums of all time. May 23, 2006

Whats Next'

This is the LP from LONS that I was really feelin'. The Production was great and they stepped up their lyrical material a lot! "Classic Material" July 29, 2005

CLASSIC MATERIAL

CLASSIC.

LYRICS -------- 10/10
PRODUCTION COURTESY OF L.O.N.S. -------- 10/10
CONCEPT ---------- 10/10
ALBUM COVER ------- 10/10
CONCEPT ------------ 10/10
THEME ----------- 10/10
STANDOUT TRACKS ---------- ALL TRACKS
OVERALL ------------ WHAT DO YOU EXPECT IT'S 93.
June 24, 2005

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