Search - L.A. Symphony :: End Is Now (Clean)

The Dopenessssssss

04/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very good cd. 2 tracks are just phenomal 'end is now' and 'ghana homage'. They definitly bring amazing energy and wonderful west coast style. All the beats are quite tight. Even though they are christians, i'm begging you not to label them lamos like 90% of 'christian' rappers. For those who are wondering why there has to be a 'clean' version, it's b/c of the use of the word n*****, but as far as I now that's the only offensive language. This album stands comprable to the best...."

For Symphony 'End' is just the beginning!

Jacob | Chicago, IL | 11/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As an avid follower of the LA Symphony for the last few years, when I heard they were putting out another full length group album (following a series of solo releases by their incredibly talented members and a delicious but short EP in 2002) I was getting excited. This eight man supercrew, has been putting out absolutely phenominal hip hop for the last 5 or six years. I rushed to find some samples online but when I heard them I was a little disappointed. I bought the album all the same, if only to support the band that has given me so much. When it came it was only three songs into it before I realized how wrong I was. I was expecting some of their trademark silly banter over video game-game like beats (which is still great), but instead I got an incredible package of mature (yet still ridiculously fun) songs. I was glad that the three recently departed members (Pigeon John, bTwice, Great Jason/Jbeits- he can't decide what to call himself) were still big contributers on the album. They have really taken a huge step up in production...and if this album doesn't at least make a ripple in the market hip hop is in a sorrier state than I thought. Almost every song on here is an absolute gem...from 'End is Now' till 'Ghana Homage' (with the dope hidden track too). I'm not too big on the first single 'Gonna Be Alright.' It's a great beat and a ton of fun, but a little weak lyrically. But beside that and the 'No Excuse'(that holler and response chorus is agitating to me) I'm feeling every song. My favorite is 'Charlie Brown' with is mwha mwha mwha beat (ala Charlie Brown's teacher) and some amazing verses dropped by CookBook, Joey the Jerk, and the ever hilarious Pigeon John (check out his latest solo joint for a trip). 'Lady Luck' is crazy infectious. So many good songs I'm not even try to go into them all. If you haven't heard these guys get ready for some of the best hip hop ever. I know I'm biased but I can say that with confidence. Pick up this album, give it a couple of spins, and you'll be hooked, trying frantically to get your hands on any and all Symphony releases. That is unless you're looking for another of the regurgitated, overdone gangsta flossin' with my 20' rims and my rollies in the sky that unfortunately dominates the market. Here you have dope, original beats being absolutely slaughtered by eight of the most witty and talented emcees around. You might want to wait until the Gotee release drops Dec. 2, because there are a few extra tracks that Basement Records chose not to run with. Either way pick it up (and if you order from lasymphony.com you'll get a great price and they still might be sending out autographed 8 X10's). For those who familiar with the crew, get ready to fall in love with the Symphony all over again."

Once again, LAS comes through

nyasb | the Southland | 11/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Elements of their three previous works ("Composition 1", the unreleased "Call It What You Want", and "The Baloney EP") can be heard in "The End Is Now", making it at times a consolidation and at others an extension of their "signature" style (if it can even be said that they have just one). The lead single, "Gonna Be Alright" features the pared down "core" of Cookbook, Flynn, Joey the Jerk, Sharlok Poems, and Uno Mas that the band now consists of (though the rest - bTwice, Great Jason, and Pigeon John - will continue to contribute) and displays a maturing, more focused sound. It also represents a recurring theme in the album of reflecting on past and current struggles and surviving with optimism and faith. This comes as no surprise, as obscuring depth with fun has always been LAS' strength. When a group can produce songs so diverse, everyone has different favorites. Though it's clear that "I Can't Have Her" is a hit waiting to happen, my personal standouts are "Ghana Homage" and "Wonderful" (which is perhaps their best song ever) with "Lady Luck" following closely behind and "One of a Kind" and "Gonna Be Alright" as strong contenders. This release certainly delivers everything the previous ones do and more. As LAS transforms from collective, to group, to group/collective (oddly, reflecting the city itself - "L.A." refers to a city, but it is also an area - a collection of cities) it will be exciting to hear how the group develops its sound in a more concentrated form. I already can't wait to hear the next album!"