I remember getting this album after the stinker skeezer/pleezer and was like dang, this joint is hot. Ya Cold Wanna Be with me was definitely the jam of that summer in D.C. The radio stations played the cover off this song and Mo Bass was getting heavy rotation based on it's go-go flavor (before it was fashionable for N.Y. rappers to even have that sound on any of their singles and albums). Of course the love affair with this lp lasted shortly as I bought Doin It and I didn't even make it past three songs before I pulled the tape out of my tape player in the car and toss it out on I-95. My buddy laughed me outta the car all the way home from The Wiz as he was smart enough to purchase NWA's new album "Straight Outta Compton". Hmmn, wonder how that album worked out for him?
July 25, 2008 |  | A Gem From '87 {3.5 Stars} |  |
This is one of those albums where I knew exactly what I was doing when I heard it. It was '87 (I was around 10 or 11) and I was on my way home from baseball practice when my neighbor and friend, Duane (14), called me over to his porch and turned it on. He played about three tracks and I ws hooked. Here it is 19 years later and I think this set holds up well. You simply can't deny the funky go-go swing of "Mo' Bass" and I think everyone knows that "Ya Cold Wanna Be With Me" is undeniably a classic. There are a few fillers like "Burning Bed", "Master-Baby" (which features Full Force on the vocals), and the hilarious "Ask Yo Mama" that also make for a pretty decent listen.
As far as flaws, there are a couple. This album contains stinkers like "Lethal" (which features Anthrax), The Ride, and S.W.A.T. (Get Down). Those songs don't really hold up well and they're kind of corny. Even back then they were skip material for this listener. And quite a few of the Full Force productions left a lot to be desired.
Lethal is an album that did what a lot of rap albums didn't do back in '87 -- try something different. Sure, this wasn't the same candy coated, fluffy UTFO from the previous releases, but the changes worked on this album. Rap was beginning to move toward more tangible topics and UTFO followed the trend. It didn't hurt them on this release, but it would prove to be a bad move on their next two releases. I recommend getting this if you want the to hear UTFO's last album before they fell off. They simply don't make 'em like this anymore.
Standout Tracks: Burning Bed, Mo' Bass, Ask Yo Mama, and Ya Cold Wanna Be With Me (My Favorite)
December 3, 2006| | | A Gem From '87 {3.5 Stars} | |
This is one of those albums where I knew exactly what I was doing when I heard it. It was '87 (I was around 10 or 11) and I was on my way home from baseball practice when my neighbor and friend, Duane (14), called me over to his porch and turned it on. He played about three tracks and I was hooked. Here it is 19 years later and I think this set holds up well. You simply can't deny the funky go-go swing of "Mo' Bass" and I think everyone knows that "Ya Cold Wanna Be With Me" is undeniably a classic. There are a few fillers like "Burning Bed", "Master-Baby" (which features Full Force on the vocals), and the hilarious "Ask Yo Mama" that also make for a pretty decent listen.
As far as flaws, there are a couple. This album contains stinkers like "Lethal" (which features Anthrax), The Ride, and S.W.A.T. (Get Down). Those songs don't really hold up well and they're kind of corny. Even back then they were skip material for this listener. And quite a few of the Full Force productions left a lot to be desired.
Lethal is an album that did what a lot of rap albums didn't do back in '87 -- try something different. Sure, this wasn't the same candy coated, fluffy UTFO from the previous releases, but the changes worked on this album. Rap was beginning to move toward more tangible topics and UTFO followed the trend. It didn't hurt them on this release, but it would prove to be a bad move on their next two releases. I recommend getting this if you want the to hear UTFO's last album before they fell off. They simply don't make 'em like this anymore.
Standout Tracks: Burning Bed, Mo' Bass, Ask Yo Mama, and Ya Cold Wanna Be With Me (My Favorite)
December 3, 2006 | | Top Ten Rap Album of All Time | |
...All tracks were produced by Full Force who added some slick R&B beats which was fresh for 1987 in the world of rap. This album predates New Jack Swing era etc. UTFO member EMD had just completed a rehab program and was a welcome addition back. (Skeezer Pleezer was an awful album prioor to Lethal which EMD did not participate in). Lethal is hard rap with a pop edge. It makes for an easy listen especially for new hip hop fans looking for old school records. It is in my top ten rap albums released from 1983 - 1991. After purchasing some 1500 rap casettes from 83 to 91 I feel somewhat of an authority on the old school. I still love this album.
June 24, 2003 | | They dropped the ball on this one | |
After two excellent albums, UTFO put out this piece of tripe. The only thing that would remind you of their ealier stuff is Diss. On everything else they started experimenting with their sound. Now normally I'm a big fan of acts moving beyond their traditional boundaries and exploring new musical routes, but UTFO blew this one big time. It's absolutely horrendous.
February 8, 2002More reviews at Amazon.com ...
