Rating:
Genre:
Rap
Release Date: 02/21/2006
According to some pre-release interviews,
Dilated Peoples member
Evidence sees
20/20 as one of the more casual full-lengths from the crew. The album wasn't built as a traditional album, but rather a collection of tracks, or as
Evidence puts it,
20/20 was "made on a 12'' mentality." It's a great analogy really, since the track list bounces between outstanding and hypothetical A-sides -- the body-moving
"Back Again," the fiery
"Alarm Clock Music," and
"Kindness for Weakness," which features guest
Talib Kweli along with some of
DJ Babu's fiercest scratches -- and the more word-filled, almost freestyle B-sides that could accompany them.
20/20 flows like a compilation of street tracks, which is quite an achievement when you consider the group is still signed to major label
Capitol. Only two tracks feature the work of producer
Alchemist --
"Back Again" and the title track -- which might be a disappointment for some, but
Evidence and
Babu are up to the challenge of an increased workload and offer lean loops that recall their debut. Unfortunately, a team-up with
Capleton feels forced, as the
reggae revolutionary isn't given much to do. For hardcore fans, it's the lone disappointment, and while
20/20 might be a shade too unambitious for casual listeners expecting another
Expansion Team,
DP heads looking to kick back and listen get plenty of pure underground to devour.
~David Jeffries, All Music Guide
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