Someone Dropped The Ball (3 Stars)
Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 04/02/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I'll be honest, I've never been the biggest Defari fan, but I've always been a fan of DJ Babu. The two manage to create a decent album that's littered with gems. Some of the tracks are breezy, feel good joints that speak on a variety of topics. "One Day Away", "L.J's Anthem", and "Salute" are breezy, summertime cuts. "The Hop" has a tight beat, but I don't think Defari used it that well. "D.G. Interlude" has a tight beat if you can get past Defari bragging about how efficient his "member" is. I'd have to say that "Keep Doin' It" and "Dark Ends" are good and "Ghetto" is probably the strongest joint on the entire album.
Aside from the previously mentioned songs, the rest of the album really drags. Though the beats are decent, "Change", "Strength In Numbers", "S.C.A.N.S", and "Brother" are all pretty boring. "The Good Green" is predictably corny and "One Time" feat. Krondon & Planet Asia borders on wack (is it me, or is Planet Asia beginning to slip?). Basically, Defari isn't the type of rapper that can't carry entire albums by himself because he lacks charisma and his flow is sort of elementary. He doesn't have the presence to carry mediocre beats. The album only picks up when he has help from guest appearances (and sometimes not even then).
I think the production is what keeps this album from being as stellar as it should've been. It ranges from decent to choppy to just plain ol' boring. If you're a long time fan of Defari & Babu, then you'll probably dig the lyrical schemes. But I didn't feel the basic/elementary flow. There are times where he has trouble staying on beat. In short: Too many of the tracks are boring and Defari needs to step his rap game up. I'd only reccomend this to fans and suggest that newcomers download a few tracks and test it out first.
Standout Tracks: One Day Away, Ghetto feat. Noelle, Keep Doin' It, L.J.'s Anthem feat. Noelle, and Dark Ends feat. Rakaa"
(3+half) This LIKWIT isnt addictive enough to make you a JUN
gavin redmond | rep of ireland | 03/26/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Being a huge Defari+Babu fan I was very excited about this collabo and to a certain degree I wasnt let down however it just doesnt seem to shift gears enough. Most of the songs are in the safe-zone, with nice beats and rhymes were neither artist really stretches themselves. Defari is capable of much better rhymes and Babu's beats lose abit of spark after a couple of listens. It also suffers abit from tracks like the weak "The Good Green", "D.G.Skit" and "Dreamgirl". Also the average tracks like "One Day Away", "Strength In Numbers", "One Time" and "Brother" take abit away from the overall quality of the album. The remaining 10 tracks are were it earns its stripes however b'cuz they are pure lyrical heat+amazing beats. THEY are the reasons Im glad I own this album and with tracks such as "L.J.'s Anthem", "The Hop", "Salute", "Change", "Keep Doin'It", "6 In The Morning", "Ghetto", "S.C.A.N.S.", "Dark Ends" and "The Interview" you'll be glad too. If they had've been able to maintain this throughout the 18tracks or even shortened the album it wouldve been alot tighter."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1