Much in the same way Halfway House was the precursor to Joe's successful album Padded Room in February 2009, Escape Route assumes the role of being the prequel to Joe's highly anticipated album, The Great Escape, due late... more »r this year. Escape Route takes fans back to a place where Joe hasn't been in a while. The vibe will remind fans of Joe's Mood Muzik series that helped solidify Budden's diehard fan base over the past four years. This album is filled with the dark and powerful backdrops and the type of incredible lyrics Joe Budden is known for. Once again, Joe shows us why he is considered by many to be one of the greatest living MC's.« less
Much in the same way Halfway House was the precursor to Joe's successful album Padded Room in February 2009, Escape Route assumes the role of being the prequel to Joe's highly anticipated album, The Great Escape, due later this year. Escape Route takes fans back to a place where Joe hasn't been in a while. The vibe will remind fans of Joe's Mood Muzik series that helped solidify Budden's diehard fan base over the past four years. This album is filled with the dark and powerful backdrops and the type of incredible lyrics Joe Budden is known for. Once again, Joe shows us why he is considered by many to be one of the greatest living MC's.
"How should I put this? Joey did it again, haven't heard Halfway House but if it's in any way as good as this I want it! I was halfway sure about copping this album since I hadn't heard one track off this one up until yesterday, but just as Padded Room I am very happy I put my hard earned cash to good use. This one is really not as good as Padded Room mostly because of the production. The production is very sub-par but the vibe is great. Similar to it's predecessor but with more soft-rock. Once again, Joey showcases his lyrical demon and you get to feel his pain in every song, he goes crazy with the metaphors and demonstrates some mad wordplay, very underrated. I am feeling the title as he lets us know the struggle between the Padded Room and "normality". This one is not quite a classic like Padded Room but the classics are there. In my opinion, World Keeps Spinnin' No Comment, Clothes On A Mannequin & Freight Train are already classics. The track "Forgive Me" is the deepest track on here & is sure to have people buzzin' you'll see why. All I'm saying is it isn't the last time we hear word from M E T H O D Tical. I doubt it will ever happen, still you gotta feel the kid. It's already my 3rd time hearing it today since purchase but I haven't reallygiven it a good listen yet. Nonetheless, I have already heard many quotables. "Life's a b and I'm just looking up under her skirt" for example. To me the weakest track on this cd is "Connect 4". I can see where he was going with that but it really isn't working. Why didn't The Klasix produce one song on here?? Perhaps the meanest track is "We Outta Here" feat Slaughterhouse. Joe Budden goes hard and complements the group very well.
My Fav track would be Freight Train, Joey goes in on this one, great flow, great message. Joey B delivers greatness throughout the whole album and it would be foolish not to have it. I recommend this to anyone who bought Padded Room & doesn't bother with beef. Looking forward to The Great Escape dropping this fall!!! With this just being a prelude of what is to come all the haters best to shut their mouths. Support this realness people.
Hip-Hop
Peace out."
Joe budden
Cordell A. Jacobs Jr. | st thomas vi | 12/18/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"its decent. I dont like it as much as his older stuff. Either his voice sounds off or the mixing is bad , not sure which one. but it is decent. Lyrically it is good but I cant get over how his voice or the mixing sounds. Not better than Halfway house or padded room"
Another god giving classic!!
Rouzbeh Salehinia | Miami | 10/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this man breeds his soul in his music, you have to support the truth. this is a big step towards a better decade, better Hip-Hop. Slaughterhouse is in the building (all the MC's breed happily)"
"This is Joe Budden at his strongest, with introspective and powerful lyrics. It continues his current creative series of CDs which includes Halfway House, the Padded Room (Budden's second official album), this CD, and will continue with the Great Escape in the last quarter of 2009. These four CDs espouse upon the theme of Budden being in a mental institution and eventually making his way out. Budden's supergroup SLAUGHTERHOUSE also makes an appearance on this CD with "We Outta Here." As everything with Slaughterhouse, it turns into one of the CDs best tracks. You will buy this CD not for Clubs Songs or even Slaughterhouse, however, but because of lyrics which ooze pain and stay true to Budden's Mood Muzik series of mixtapes. The only weakness is the production, but this CD is a great placeholder with excellent replayability as the rap world anticipates Budden's 3rd Album, The Great Escape.