Q-Tip - Amplified

Breaking up is hard to do but sometimes the aftermath can shine a light on the individuals and just what they brought to the mix. Over the course of five albums (three of which are certified hip-hop classics), Q-Tip, the dominant wordsmith and resident sex symbol of A Tribe Called Quest, was the guy with the goods. With his adenoidal tone and nimble way with a rhyme, he was the focus of much of the attention Tribe justifiably received. Yet left to his own devices, Tip falls short and Amplified is not the triumph fans might have expected. Part of the fault lies in the production, which with the exception of two great cuts (both produced by DJ Scratch), is provided by Tip and partner J.D., who also worked the last two (weak) Tribe CDs. Tip's new sound is typified by the revved up, sexy push and pull of his smash "Vivrant Thing." But that song's sound and subject matter--sex--is the main theme throughout this album. Adding to the dilemma is the fact that the advances sent to press were sequenced as if Amplified was one continuous track, which makes the sameness of many of the cuts even more obvious. True, Tip is playful and pointed, but the lyrics are remarkably linear for a guy who once dubbed himself "abstract" and the similarity of the drum patterns and tempo start to grow tiresome. Sadly, what should have been a breakthrough solo debut from a truly gifted artist only makes you yearn for the subtle jazzy touches and deadpan retorts former Tribe members Ali and Phife provided. --Amy Linden Amazon.com

Way underrated! Don't judge a CD by its cover.

What part of Q-Tip and J-Dilla don't you understand??
One of the best all time MC's with one of the best all time producers (J-Dilla, aka Jay Dee).
I know the album cover is wack....just get it. May 28, 2008

read this before the review up top

this album is great. and the girl that reviewed this album doesn't have a clue what she's talking about. the drums sound the same because all drums in every song at that time sounded the same. it was 2000 and it wasn't until timbo blew up that drums in hip hop changed. secondly. J.D is JayDee and he killed the last two (still classics) that tribe put out. he was also a part of tribe before those albums came out, he just didn't get the credit. this album was way ahead of it's time, now jaydee is a legend. this album is nuts December 27, 2006

What's wrong with having a little fun?

After the tragic breakup of the greatest rap trio of all time, A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip released his first solo offering, "Amplified," in 1999. Fans expecting the abstract lyricism and social consciousness of a Tribe album will not find it here, so some I'm sure were disappointed. When I first heard "Amplified" I was surprised for sure because this sounds nothing like a Tribe album, but I grew to like it a lot. This album is full of upbeat, light, and happy songs that aren't very deep lyrically but are just basically fun songs. Tip's raps aren't exactly thought provoking, nor are they meant to be. Production comes mainly from Tip and Jay Dee, the duo known as The Ummah that produced the last two Tribe albums, "Beats, Rhymes, and Life" and "The Love Movement." The production uses horns and heavy instrumentals, but sounds very unlike ATCQ music. It's fast and consistently joyful sounding. As a huge ATCQ fan who has enjoyed all five of their albums, I also enjoyed "Amplified" even though it is a very different kind of release.

The album begins with "Wait Up," which uses nice keyboard and saxophone instrumentation for Tip to flow over. "Higher" has vibesy, soulful production and a good chorus. "Breathe and Stop" is a single, fast and simple sounding but very catchy. The electronic and experimental sounding "Moving With U" follows. I love "Let's Ride," it's a laidback, fun song about riding in cars and listening to music. Tip would never have made this kind of song with Phife and Shaheed, but I like hearing him do it by himself. "Things U Do" and "All In" follow, adding to the consistency of "Amplified." "Go Hard" is a funkier song aimed for the ladies. "Vivrant Thing" is one of the best, a song with good production and funny lyrics. Busta Rhymes collaborates on the piano-heavy "N.T." and rock band Korn make an unlikely appearance on "End of Time," which is a song I actually like a lot, it's really different from everything else on the album. A bonus track is also included, which lyrically is the best. It explains the rise and fall of A Tribe Called Quest, chronicling their career and breakup, with inside stuff a fan wouldn't have guessed.

I recommend "Amplified" mostly because it is an album of catchy, fun hip hop music even if lyrically it is not what a lot of fans expected. I think a lot of different kinds of music listeners will enjoy it, and Tribe fans such as myself will like it in a lot of ways too. Overall "Amplified" is an enjoyable album that I really like to listen to on a lot of occasions, and I definitely recommend it. December 18, 2006

Terrible commercial album

I was very disappointed in Amplified album since i'm A Tribe Called Quest fan. QTip tried to go commercial and pop on this album and i think he let a lot of his fans down. Only songs i liked on the album is Higher, Breathe And Stop, Vivrant Thing(this was already on the Violator compilation so it shouldn't have been on Amplified album). End Of Time song with rock group Korn would've been better if Korn wasn't on the song. I liked the beat and the lyrics on End Of Time but QTip should've rapped more on the song and left Korn off the song. I also like the bonus hidden track Do It, Be It, See It. I'm so glad his 2nd solo unreleased album Kamaal The Abstract never came out because from the reviews i read about it, i read that he sang on all of the 9 songs on the album LOL. What's the deal with rappers singing now? LOL. QTip is a homo. He was wearing house slippers in Breathe And Stop video hahahahahahahahahaha. December 15, 2006

Abstract

This is an album I bought when it first came out. I was a big tribe fan. I felt that Q-Tip had such a distinct sound and lyrically was one of the most underrated in the game. I felt that this album was slept on by many. I feel, in my opinion that this was one of few cd's that you can let start at the beginning and play all the way through. I was a little affraid for Tip at first but after hearing this, this was a great effort and something I would reccomend anyone to check out or buy. February 14, 2006

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