Wow! - R.D. is BACK! This album sounds amazing. Tracks, lyrics, melody, yes, from all aspects (Since the Last Time) is a must own. Oh, did I mention it s clean from tracks 1-12. True Hip Hop poetry! Track 5 (Sunshine) is something a lot of people need to give a listen. One word, meaningful. Buy it, Buy it, Buy it! Good job guys & BIG welcome back!
Pick it up! - With it s infectious hooks, stunning vocal quality and positive message, Arrested Development has shown once again that this genre of hip-hop is alive and well!There s not a bad track on this CD. Since the Last Time should not be missed.
Great Hip Hop - Great Hip Hop is still out there, you just probably will not find it on the radio. This is where you will find it.If you want to move to some fabulous sounds, with one of the most beautiful messages in Hip Hop, then buy this album. THESE FOLKS need to be supported by us, not the violent misogynistic thug bozos who are fed to us through mass media.
Unexpectedly Outstanding - (these are my knee-jerk thoughts after one listen - a lengthier review will be on jambase.com in late December 2007)From the first track, the album drips with a feel-good retro-70s beat that drives the rest of the disc. Vocalist Speech continues his politically-aware lyricism without resorting to outright preaching, lending the album the wisdom that arrives only with maturity. Since the Last Time may not have the chart-climbing hit that brought Three Years into public consciousness twelve years ago, but taken as a whole, the latest effort compares favorably from start to finish.Speech and Arrested Development have aged remarkably well, and seem more determined not to save the world, but rather improve upon it slightly, one listener at a time. You don t have to be a fan of AD or of hip-hop to find the beauty in this release.
The freshest Arrested Development album since 1992! - The downfall of Arrested Development s popularity after their scathing 1992 debut 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... has always puzzled me. Beat for beat, this collective s discography is straight quality. These guys got the hooks, the musical talent, the message, and the cohesiveness that make classic groups. Since the Last Time is the most gorgeous listen since their debut to this reviewer, and definitely one of the greatest releases of 2007.As you may know, Arrested Development is also a live band. At one point consisting of 12 members. they incorporate keyboards, bass, guitar, mandolin, turntables, and plenty of beautiful backup vocals/choruses for one heck of a fun ride. As far as hits go, I m hearing a ton of notable joints. Unfortunately for the masses, the radio will most likely never see them. There isn t a wasted track in the bunch. Miracles is one of the best singles of the year in my opinion. Dope beats & excellent wordplay and lyrics from Speech. How Far Is Heaven & Sao Paulo are beautiful numbers featuring a variety of brilliant instrumentation and exquisite female vocalizing. Sunshine is my favorite joint here, where Speech tells a sophisticated story about falling in love with a white girl. It boasts an addictive bouncy summertime beat and a hook that will have you drooling for more. Stand & I Know I m Bad are excellent standouts as well. Nothing feels out of place here.All and all, this is the record that got me exploring the rest of their career. I had the debut for a while, but recently bought Zingalamaduni & Among the Trees just to find those are also breathtaking records. But at the end of the day, I m feeling the new one more. The exuberant amount of hooks and addictive material is on another level for 2007. Highly recommended.