Search - Tha Liks :: Xo Experience

3 1/2 stars - They were better when they were Tha Alkaholiks

E.J. Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 03/19/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The Liks - X.O. Experience (Columbia, 2001)Since 2001 was such a bad year for hip-hop anyway, I shouldn't be surprised that this album didn't rock (or chart) like it should have. They even tried to cross over by hiring The Neptunes to produce "Best U Can", which comes off average. J-Ro still kicks things to make me smile, like, "you get a kick out of them like shoeboxes", or on the best track, "Da Da Da Da", where he says, "sometimes I'm hard to find like downtown parking spaces." But Tash let me down a little. Not to mention that the majority of the production is weak and some songs are just corny (like the Busta Rhymes song). They tried too hard to cross over when they should have just been themselves, hip-hop drunkies. -EJR"

It's still Tha Liks but not their best

Rich-Zed | Székesfehérvár, Magyarország | 09/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As I introduced my point of view in my title, it's still Tha Liks, but not their best. I think switching a new label (from Loud to Columbia) was not a good move for Tha Liks. I liked their previous two albums better than this one. I really think their "21 & over", "Coast II coast" and "Likwidation" albums are classic, but this ain't. This album can't be compared to the three others. This album contains only 3 or 4 good tracks, opposite to the other three. I still feel what they about, their beats and rhymes, but that's not that old Alki's flavor. I liked 'My dear' with the old Pharcyde sample, 'Bully foot' although I don't feel Busta, '40 Oz. quartet part II.' and that real party joint 'Best u can' produced by the Neptunes featured by Pharrell of NERD, but... "X.O. experience" ain't provides tracks like 'Next level', 'Daaam!', 'WLIKS' with LootPack, 'Only when I'm drunk', 'Mary Jane', 'Turn the party out', 'Feel the real', 'Hip hop drunkies' or 'Rockin' with the best'. No disrespect to Tha Liks but it's just a 3.5-star release. The only thing I didn't give them 3-stars is the fact that they represent real hip hop without that wacky gangsta-image. You feel? Now, to cut this long review short, I like Tha Liks but it's the same as when Jordan wore the jersey #45, he wasn't that M.J. who was in the real #23 jersey. You feel? So, Liks, just do what you wanna, I'ma buy anything from you 'cause you real, but give me that Tha Alkaholiks flavor again! Told: 3.5-stars."

Can I get Soem Beers To The Stage?!?!

Cuzz | Where Real Music Lives | 04/15/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes we don't want tp hear about how many people you killed but we don't want to think too much or heard mushy love ballads. Sometimes we just want to have a good time with out hearing a whack MC. Tha Liks bring good times to the forefront but also bring a lot of wit and skill. Long time darlings of the West Coast underground scene and part of the legendary Likwit Crew, they now make their bid for commercial success. Usually when underground acts make their move for success they lose fans because they have to give up a lot of their original flair in order to satisfy crowds and label heads. Though Tha Liks do polish their once minimal production sound, they still sound dope as funk. 9 of the 15 songs are handled by Alkaholik resident E-Swift, the rest is handled by Rockwilder, Dj Scratch, Thayod, The Neptunes & Dj Twinz. All that heat rounded out by the comic, dope lines of Tash, J-Ro and help from the rest of Likwit Crew, Busta Rhymes, Butch Cassidy, Pharrell Williams, and Kurupt. Now I'll tell you which joints are best to get your party started ...Bar Code ft/ Xzibit ~ The first real track definitely gets the album crackalackin' with B-Boyish drunken rhymes and a chorus of anthem proportions. E-Swift is on the beat using echo filed horns and kool synth keys, choppy claps, and burpy effects. Usually I prefer Tash over J-Ro, and Xzibit over either but there is just something about Ro's first verse, check it:"/I drink a lot of ale, smoke a lot of L's a day/
/Got kegs in my room and bales of hay/
/Twenty-five roaches piled in my ashtray/
/Some like it slow some live the fast way/
/All the ladies know I'm wild and nas-tay/
/I live the "Rap Life" like my nigga Tash say/
/I down the whole brew, never half way/
/I'm back and forth to the bar in the Likwid Cafe/"L-I-K-S ~ E-Swift really steals the show on this track. He actually drops a formidable verse in between Tash & J-Ro that has solid wordplay of starting intervals of the verse with Tha Lik's initials (L,I,K,S) hence the name of the song. He comes doubly correct on the production end as well with some horn blasts that are guaranteed to get any head snapping their neck.My Dear ft/ Defari ~ This is Tha Liks' song about the scandalous women they know. On the vocal side J. Mackin'Ro and Tash's verses are tight (especially Tash) but Defari is good just not outstanding. Swift comes with the thorough production heat again. Using a synth organ loop and bells it sounds like the Alkaholiks are seducing women at church (which adds a comical effect). The hook also pays homage to West Coast legends The Pharcyde, interpolating lines from their classic song "Passin' Me By".Sickness ft/ Bucth Cassidy ~ Tha Liks employ West Coast crooner Butch Cassidy for the hook on this and the results are "sick". Tash & J-Ro come consistent again oozing with skill from the moment Tash opens his mouth to the end. Butch's voice has such a trippy quality that is perfect for this drunken flow. Rockwilder adds to your aural trip with many layers of wobbly keys and distorted horns.Best U Can ft/ Pharrell Williams ~ Even though the Tunes bring a glossy industry standard programmed beat Tha Liks stay gutter with their rhymes. Pharrell wasn't billed on hooks at this time but he sounds kool as ever. It's pretty hard to decide who is tighter on this track Tash or J-Ro because both have such tight flows that stay on point with the beat. I chose J-Ro on this one for lines like these:"/So they hop inside, the Cadillac/
/The chaffeur drove off, and it never came back/
/She say, "Ay daddy, do you like that?"/
/He say, "Yeah mami, just like that"/
/She say, "You know I never did this before"/
/He say, "Yeah, sure; tell me more"/
/Knock on wood grain, the whole hood sayin/
/you give good brains, I ain't playin/
/A little champagne, but no damn rain/
/And the next week it was the same damn thang/" Tha Liks end up crafting a superb party album that should satisfy new pop friendly groupies and loyal Likwit fans alike. The only problem is after a point on "Best U Can" they fall off their peak slightly. The songs aren't bad they just aren't as memorable as the ones before. If your looking for music to play at a party or in your car or work out to or even to get you amped before the big game. Can't wait til they return to hit the world with some more of that left coast flavour. 4 stars, definite safe choice for a purchase. Peace, love and soul..."