De La Soul - and the Anonymous Nobody

[Philaflava]

On first listen, Grind Date was significantly better. Production on here is rich, but not grabbing to their sound. Most of the collabos fail, especially that boring Roc Marci. I do like the jawn with David Byrne tho. Kinda disappointed with the overall album, nah fuck that, I am disappointed as hell.



1. "Genesis" (featuring Jill Scott) 1:36
2. "Royalty Capes" 3:46
3. "Pain" (featuring Snoop Dogg) 4:39
4. "Property of Spitkicker.com" (featuring Roc Marciano) 5:32
5. "Memory of… (Us)" (featuring Estelle and Pete Rock) 4:55
6. "CBGB's" 1:20
7. "Lord Intended" (featuring Justin Hawkins) 7:16
8. "Snoopies" (by De La Soul and David Byrne) 4:15
9. "Greyhounds" (featuring Usher) 5:26
10. "Sexy Bitch" 1:31
11. "Trainwreck" 3:17
12. "Drawn" (featuring Little Dragon) 5:33
13. "Whoodeeni" (featuring 2 Chainz) 4:31
14. "Nosed Up" 3:57
15. "You Go Dave (A Goldblatt Presentation)" 1:20
16. "Here in After" (featuring Damon Albarn) 5:41
17. "Exodus" 3:24

[drizzle]

I like the Roc Marci song but it feels more like Roc ft De La and not the other way around

[samdoom]

Not sure I can say where I'd place it in the De La discography, but its definitely not as good as grind date. The fact that they used live instrumentation that was then sampled definitely limits the beats but it also makes the album pretty cohesive. I think its generally decent but I can't disagree with Phila on it being disappointing, especially considering its been 11 years since their last album. There's still some joints though.

[ardamus]

Dude, I hope you weren't expecting them to remake Grind Date with this album. Shit was 10 to 11 years ago and it'd be wack of them to do that album again. Haven't heard the whole thing but its cool so far. Best song they got was with 2Chainz, imo.

[drizzle]

the thing is, how much can you reasonably expect from a group of 45+ yo rappers who haven't put out an album in 12 years.

it feels reductive to write them off just for age and long absence, especially at this point where rap is fumbling to figure out what do with aging and it's own history and generational changes, but this applies to almost any genre. reunions of aging veteran groups who have been out of the spotlight for a long time rarely deliver. Division Bell wasn't exactly a masterpiece either.

[step one]

The random selection of guests is putting me off listening to this a bit. Just can't see how it would be cohesive.

[Sebastion Shaw]

HUUUGE DE LA fan and was looking forward to this. Dissappointed immensely. Songs are pretty bad imo. Or it just wasn't for me and made directly for Norwegian Festival fans.

[step one]

The guests make it seem like they wanted to get over to as many people as possible. No problem with that I suppose but it's hard to make a solid rap album at the same time.

[Neuro]

sounds like de la to me

dope album

[Cyn0zure]

Get out of your box. It doesn't sound like what you'd expect, but it's a cohesive well produced album with some pretty high points. Really like drawn, here in after, whoodeni, greyhounds, and exodus. Not a classic by any means but a really solid showing and I struggle to think of an album other than life is good that's this good this late in a rappers / groups career.

[madstadik]

Havent listened yet... But after a 12 year Hiatus... Stakes is High

[Philaflava]

Nah they had a shit load of money and complete freedom to do what they want with this album. Even at their age, I was expecting something to gravitate to. The guests spots like Step said are a bit off-putting. Maybe this is their last chance to cash in, but I can assure you the only cake they're seeing off this album is whatever is left over from that crowd funding shit.

Is Prince Paul not available for a fucking skit? Throw me a bone why don'tcha.

[step one]

I struggle to think of an album other than life is good that's this good this late in a rappers / groups career.

Life Is Good had about 3 good tracks on it though.

[Philaflava]

Masta Ace is still making good music.

[Rhyme 4 Rhyme]

Still haven't listened but will check this tonight.

Masta Ace is still making good music.

Ace's new shit is good?

[Philaflava]

Still haven't listened but will check this tonight.

Masta Ace is still making good music.

Ace's new shit is good?

I think so and he is 2 years older (49) than both Posdnous & Trugoy.

[sleazy_j]

Masta Ace is still making good music.

not in 2016, he isn't.

[Neuro]

narrow minds

its a shame that when something good like this happens its still not good enough

[step one]

Masta Ace is still making good music.

not in 2016, he isn't.

Falling Season wasn't his best but still got a good reception.

[ardamus]

Nah they had a shit load of money and complete freedom to do what they want with this album. Even at their age, I was expecting something to gravitate to. The guests spots like Step said are a bit off-putting. Maybe this is their last chance to cash in, but I can assure you the only cake they're seeing off this album is whatever is left over from that crowd funding shit.

Is Prince Paul not available for a fucking skit? Throw me a bone why don'tcha.

Bruh, they're not going to remake the same shit they did with Prince Paul years ago. Posdonus and Trugoy even said in their Breakfast Club interview their biggest issue was the labels trying to get them to do another "Me, Myself, & I" back i the day when they wanted to keep trying new shit however they see it fits. Might as well get over it now. The album isn't for you and that's cool. Just go back to the earlier albums, the AOIs, and the Grind Date joints, and be happy.

[Philaflava]

Nah they had a shit load of money and complete freedom to do what they want with this album. Even at their age, I was expecting something to gravitate to. The guests spots like Step said are a bit off-putting. Maybe this is their last chance to cash in, but I can assure you the only cake they're seeing off this album is whatever is left over from that crowd funding shit.

Is Prince Paul not available for a fucking skit? Throw me a bone why don'tcha.

Bruh, they're not going to remake the same shit they did with Prince Paul years ago. Posdonus and Trugoy even said in their Breakfast Club interview their biggest issue was the labels trying to get them to do another "Me, Myself, & I" back i the day when they wanted to keep trying new shit however they see it fits. Might as well get over it now. The album isn't for you and that's cool. Just go back to the earlier albums, the AOIs, and the Grind Date joints, and be happy.

Oh sorry, I just figured this was good click bait material.

[sean]

i very much enjoyed this album.
real good to drive around at night and listen with my sibling who is visiting from texas.

[ardamus]

Nah they had a shit load of money and complete freedom to do what they want with this album. Even at their age, I was expecting something to gravitate to. The guests spots like Step said are a bit off-putting. Maybe this is their last chance to cash in, but I can assure you the only cake they're seeing off this album is whatever is left over from that crowd funding shit.

Is Prince Paul not available for a fucking skit? Throw me a bone why don'tcha.

Bruh, they're not going to remake the same shit they did with Prince Paul years ago. Posdonus and Trugoy even said in their Breakfast Club interview their biggest issue was the labels trying to get them to do another "Me, Myself, & I" back i the day when they wanted to keep trying new shit however they see it fits. Might as well get over it now. The album isn't for you and that's cool. Just go back to the earlier albums, the AOIs, and the Grind Date joints, and be happy.

Oh sorry, I just figured this was good click bait material.

Stop lying.
We can discuss this on your reboot of the show, too.

[Cryptic One]

they bring it on the raps as always... but honestly just disappointed with the production

biggest de la stan ever and i loved the entire concept of sampling jam sessions... but for whatever reason it just didnt vibe with me on first listen

watching this is helping me warm up to it a little:

[WiCkEd22]

Havent listened yet... But after a 12 year Hiatus... Stakes is High

haha No doubt.

I still haven't listened. I have the Vinyl LP in-transit now, but I'm still thinkin about DL'ing the album and burning it to CD for the car for my first listen.

It's sad to say, and I don't want to be negative, but I'm positive that I'll be disappointed. *shrugs*

Masta Ace is still making good music.

Yup.

I was disappointed with his latest album The Falling Season and really disappointed with last years eMC album, but overall Ace is still makin good new HipHop music, 28 fuckin years later!

[SYM]

Really impressive album on first listen. I'm quite glad this was made. Worth all the hype too.

@ sean: yeah. definitely better to delve into at night on a long drive.

Sounds great on the Echo.

[step one]

Havent listened yet... But after a 12 year Hiatus... Stakes is High

haha No doubt.

I still haven't listened. I have the Vinyl LP in-transit now, but I'm still thinkin about DL'ing the album and burning it to CD for the car for my first listen.

It's sad to say, and I don't want to be negative, but I'm positive that I'll be disappointed. *shrugs*

Masta Ace is still making good music.

Yup.

I was disappointed with his latest album The Falling Season and really disappointed with last years eMC album, but overall Ace is still makin good new HipHop music, 28 fuckin years later!

You've bought an album on vinyl that you haven't heard yet and are positive it will disappoint you ? Good work.

Also, upgrade your car stereo.

[Busta Ry]

I dunno, I'm a huge De La Stan, so maybe I'm a tad biased, but - after about a half dozen listens front-to-back - I'm floored by this LP. To me it's the spiritual heir to Buhloone Mindstate and their best album since "Stakes". And I liked Grind Date quite a bit. There's something for everyone on here, and that's quite a feat. "Spitkicker" is a straight up head shit. "Pain" could be thrown on at any block party. "Whoodeeni" for the Hot 97 Crowd. "Drawn" for the Pitchfork staff. "Snoopies" for the web admin. And "Royalty Capes" for me. Thanks De La! But this album plays great all the way through. Extremely cohesive.

And why are people still listening to records once and making a decision on them? When has this ever worked out well for anyone?

[Philaflava]

And why are people still listening to records once and making a decision on them? When has this ever worked out well for anyone?

Oh just about every classic album ever made. You're right, this can grow one me, but I know what it is for the most part. Your co-workers can grow on you, but when you meet them you know they're a dime or a nickle or somewhere in between at first glance.

[Versive]

And why are people still listening to records once and making a decision on them? When has this ever worked out well for anyone?

Oh just about every classic album ever made. You're right, this can grow one me, but I know what it is for the most part. Your co-workers can grow on you, but when you meet them you know they're a dime or a nickle or somewhere in between at first glance.

Comparing De La Soul albums to co-workers is a sad state of affairs.

Anyways, I like this. Can see how everyone here would be disappointed if they're expecting a follow-up to Grind Date. But that doesn't really make much sense, as most of what De La has been doing since Grind Date -- "Feel Good Inc," Are You In?, playing non-hip-hop music festivals around the world -- has been pointed in a very different direction.

Plus, the Kickstarter mentioned that the album was going to include David Byrne, Little Dragon, etc., so I have to imagine the people who were actually supporting this weren't expecting AOI or Grind Date type tracks.

I like it. It's weird and fun and different from what they've done before, as well as what everyone else is doing, and that's what De La Soul is all about. Also, regardless of how you feel about the music, the rhymes are just fucking incredible.