These Three Can Do No Wrong.
Kevin Satterwhite | Houston, TX United States | 10/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Continuing their old school sound yet remaining fresh, Ugly Duckling release another must buy. Over the past 5 years I have been gradually exiting the hip hop/rap scene (rap completely) and entering the indie rock scene. But I find it hard to completely let go of hip hop all together. One remaining example that stays in my collection is Ugly Duckling. I've been a fan since they originally released their "Journey To Anywhere" LP, which was improved upon with an excellent bonus disc. Both of which proceeded their sophomore LP "Taste The Secret", which in my opinion did not exceed "JTA" but certainly augmented UD's brilliant repertoire.
Now, rather than repeat what they did with "JTA" by re-releasing the album with an extra disc with bonus material, UD decided to release a compilation album of "Leftovers" from "JTA" and "TTS". And on its own, the album is amazing, continuing the brilliance they always exude.
"Almond Rocha"--Ugly Duckling fans pay attention, because never has there been a better UD song. I'm sure anyone who listens to this album will notice this song immediately like I did, if not what the hell is wrong with you? Einstein is just pure genius when it comes to beats. This song will serve as an exclamatory example to that statement. The song also features a flute that's very Beastie Boys, which is replaced by a violin during the chorus. It evokes head bobbing like no other UD song. And you never really can complain about Andy and Dustin's rhymes, can you? Well, definitely not on this song. "Now you could be a housewife or a bachelorette/ or a little baby girl in a bassinette/ Maybe you're an underprivileged foster kid/ or a rich kid, eating with a lobster bib/ we'll get your body moving till your feet start throbbing/ and have your noggin bobbin' like your ridin' in a toboggan." That exert serves perfectly as an example to their style of rhyming: fun, fluid, and vivid rhyming (with the occasionally storytelling). "Alligator Suflet", a Dizzy Dustin song with Andy only in the chorus, has a Cut Chemist sounding beat. It also features the best chorus of the album: "I'm on my way (I'm on my way)/ So, alligator catch me on a later day (a later day)/ this way... to the sound of the UD/ guaranteed to cure your mood swings/ the price people pay for that old suflet." It's another new favorite UD song for me. I'm not sure how, but each new version of "A Little Samba" they release is better than the former. Although "Another Samba" was lyrically the opposite of what they are saying on "A Little Samba", the new version "A Little Samba (The Forbidden Mix)" is the newest version. A direct remix of the original, and essentially the best version yet. It samples music from some salsa dance number. I, being ignorant to salsa dance music, cannot identify exactly which one, but it is familiar music nonetheless. Sporting another brilliant Einstein beat, this is another great song. "Pick Up Lines 2" is really good, but I prefer the original mainly due to it having a bumpier beat than this version. It's got a few adjusted lyrics and the same chorus (which I feel should have been changed to better match the new production). "Elevator Music", like the song entails, features music you would likely hear playing in an elevator. But wait, it's actually a good song; somehow they seem to make it work. It sounds closer to "Fresh Mode" than anything else they've done since... well, "Fresh Mode". I was skeptical to feeling that I would like "Something's Going Down Tonight" due to it featuring Grand Puba. Nothing against Grand Puba (I'm not all too familiar with him), but I don't like UD featuring artists on their songs. I was wrong to question before listening, because it's a really good song, and Grand Puba is a pretty nice addition to the track. Einstein has some really nice cutting on this track. While the songs I mentioned I prefer, everything else on this release is good as well. Understand there is no bad song on here. This is now my second favorite UD release, after only "Journey To Anywhere (w/ Bonus Disc)".
If you're a fan of Ugly Duckling, "Fresh Mode" to "Taste The Secret", you absolutely cannot go wrong here. This release beckons to be bought, so ****ing buy it now!!!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1