Search - AZ :: The Format

Another great album from one of rap's greatest

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 11/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In my mind, Brooklyn's AZ is a top five MC in hip hop at the moment. Album after album, AZ proves to be one of rap's most consistent artists, making awesome songs and albums to virtually no mainstream recognition for over ten years. From the classic debut "Doe or Die" to latter day greats like "Aziatic" and "A.W.O.L.", AZ has definitely established himself as a true talent. "The Format" furthers his legacy, yet another excellent LP that reigns among his best work. Only fourteen months removed from his last album, the excellent "A.W.O.L.", AZ's second release on his Quiet Money label is really enjoyable, with a balanced mix of hard lyrical songs with a few softer club tracks. Although it's fairly short, it's one of my favorite releases of 2006. He finally seems a little more content with his status in hip hop right now as an underground favorite, and he doesn't try so hard to make a mainstream hit as he has in the past. There are some nice collaborations with artists such as M.O.P. and Little Brother, which show what a great and respected artist he is. Production is also impressive, a lot of the beats are tough and fitting for AZ's lyrical depictions, and there is a lot of nice sampling and hooks throughout the LP. AZ furthers his legendary status with "The Format", a great album that is bound to be slept on by the majority.



The album leads off with the epic-sounding "I Am the Truth", AZ represents his character and legend over a great horn fanfare and tough beat. "Sit `Em Back Slow" is a nice collabo with hardcore veterans M.O.P., it uses a tasteful Rick James sample and the three MCs show some nice chemistry on this rough track. "Get High" is a pretty good song, AZ talks flashy over a decent beat, it's not one of the albums high points though. On "Make Me", AZ challenges others to "make me go away" with a well-produced backing. "Rise and Fall" is a definitely highlight, a collaboration with underground sensations Little Brother. It's a pretty conscious, hard-hitting track about the ups and downs of the industry and life. "Animal" uses a well known vocal sample for a chorus and a nice beat to make a memorable grimy song. On "Doing That", AZ collaborates with a Fergie-wannabe Jha Jha for a decent but kind of forgettable club song, it sounds like a few from "Aziatic". "This Is What I Do" is one of the best on the album, the production is really deep and so are the lyrics, he talks about what he's experienced. "The Format" is a classic track, laced with an awesome beat and hook courtesy of the legendary DJ Premier. AZ's flow and delivery are awesome, he really hits hard and this song is among the best singles of his career. I can't listen to this song enough at this point. "Vendetta" is another hard song, using a well-known horn fanfare for a nice touch. "Game of Life" is maybe my favorite song here though. He goes really deep down to discuss the struggles of life, how nobody wins living in the ghetto, but he tries to maintain a positive outlook, it's an emotional song. The vocal sample adds to the dramatic element. "Royal Salute" is a fitting outro to a great album, a response to a diss from 50 Cent.



I highly recommend "The Format", this album is a track or two away from being a classic and AZ's best. It's one of the best albums of 2006 and has a lot of really awesome tracks, AZ once again proves to be an awesome lyricist and one of the best rappers alive. If you've been sleeping on AZ until now, it's time to wake up and get "The Format", and longtime fans should enjoy this as much as any."

Classic

realrap | Ct | 11/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"


az continues putting out nothing but heat, and format is no exception. I would rate this better then last years AWOL which I rated a 4.5. Lyrically hes coming hard with the his flow and delivery and continues dropping dope verse after dope verse. The production is also pretty strong and complements Az nicely. Even the guest appearances are pretty strong for the most part, something that hurt AWOL. Out of the 13 tracks, I would rate 4 classics, 1 average, 1 good, and 7 near classics. Very strong album a definite buy 5 star classic"

Good album although not as solid as A.W.O.L.

Michael A. Shinn | San Diego, CA USA | 12/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I copped this album a couple of weeks after it hit stores. I was so eager to listen to it because everyone on here was saying how it was AZ's best album yet. Now although the album is definitely a good one, the reason why I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is primarily because of the production. Perhaps, this is attributed to the fact that AZ is running his own label now and is limited on resources or on a tighter budget.



Specifically, the beats are not as well crafted, sophisticated, and flavorful as A.W.O.L. For instance, I didn't find the Rick James sample all that impressive. It seemed a bit too simple. I was hoping to find more tracks with beats resembling "City of Gods", "Never Change", and "Bedtime Story" where there are more layers stacked on top of one another giving the track a fuller sound. Nevertheless, AZ still delivers that lyrical content and fluid style that is so impeccable its leading me to believe he is a better lyricist than his cohort Nasir.



In reference to "Royal Salute", I heard AZ in a radio interview saying how he doesn't want to play that Game with 50, but man...I'm sure all the hip hop heads out there that would love to see a lyrical monster like AZ just obliterate 50 in a battle.



In the future, I hope to see an AZ and Rakim collaboration!!!"