Presents Beats Rhymes And Life (Complied By Outlandish) - Various Artists

Advantages: A few scarface film samples
Disadvantages: Nearly the whole thing

...of drug references and average rhymes 10 Crack Commandments - Notorious BIG. A song taken from BIGs Life After Death, probably the worst song on that and this album. Its just a list relating to drug deals making reference to the line, never get high on your own supply. Poor production that im sure has been used since Mr Scarface - Scarface. Ok i take it back this is the worst one. Originally released in 91 so its dated beats dont mix well with the up to date rap Streets Is Watching - Jay Z. Taken from Jay Z's In My Lifetime album. Good intelligent raps, street warfare and feuds discussed here. Not his best track but not bad Dopeman - NWA.A 1989 release added here and classic beats along with the old rap supergroup. Not really a lot going on but its NWA so you pay attention Criminology - Ghostface Killah & Raekwon. A Rza produced... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: GREAT Beats for the most part...
Disadvantages: ...MEDIOCRE Rhymes for the most part...

...I went into Beats, Rhymes, and Life hoping that I wouldn't have to say that Midnight Marrauders and The Low End Theory are the only albums by A Tribe Called Quest that matter. I was really hoping that. Even though People's Instinctive Travels... got a 5 Mic rating in The Source, when I listened to it a couple of years ago I was not impressed by it's performance (like GSP) and reviewed it here on the site. I had this album lying around and decided to pop in it, hoping for some gems. Well there definitely were some, but they are few and far between and still not truly good enough songs to qualify them as gems. I can't really comment on the Tribe's final album, The Love Movement, because I've never heard it nor do I plan to anytime this calendar year. Today though, I'll take a quick look at Beats, Rhymes, and Life and share some thoughts... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: Some great, memorable songs from the 1970's
Disadvantages: A lot of rubbish along the way

...commercial hits by well known artists of the time. Yet, many of these songs I think don't hold that deep a connection with the show and in a way were just album fillers. 'Coz I Luv You' by Slade is an undeniable reference to the affection that Sam has for fellow copper, WDC Annie Cartwright. To me though, its appearance in the series seemed a bit corny, a feeling that for me translated over to the soundtrack CD. 'Whisky in the Jar' by Thin Lizzy is a song that I consider to be a classic rock track with great, edgy guitar riffs and powerful, engulfing vocals provided by Phil Lynott. However, in the context of Life on Mars, it makes very little sense as it was originally an Irish folk tale about a highwayman being betrayed by his lover! However, if you did want to find a link with the show, then I guess you could link it back to super alpha male... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful