Search - Outkast :: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik

Good but not as good as other OutKast discs

finulanu | Here, there, and everywhere | 06/16/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A bit more of a stereotypical rap album than the group's later work, which is probably why I didn't like it much the first time I heard it. I'm not a fan of stereotypical G-Funk, see, and that's all I heard in it the first time through. God, was I wrong. It's deeper than that, even though it's not fully immersed in the "alternative" thing yet. So even the more "playa-business" oriented tracks - "Ain't No Thang," "Myintrotoletuknow," "Call of Da Wild," "Claimin' True," "Crumblin' Erb," "D.E.E.P." - has OutKast's trademark dark, quirky, layered production. And the classic songs kick as much butt as the best of OutKast's later albums do. The title track is a condensed Isaac Hayes epic with hip-hop beats; breakthrough hit "Player's Ball" has a great rolling beat, charismatic rapping, and a brilliant falsetto chorus; "Funky Ride" is laid-back and has a gorgeous psychedelic guitar solo; the lengthy "Get Up, Get Out" is a bit preachy but has a solid chorus and fantastic guitar parts; other than its annoying intro, "Hootie Hoo" is dark and creepy, with more sweet beats. So the only real problem I have with this, other than its less creative nature than future albums (which makes sense, because it was a debut) and the skits (which are dumb), is the general "sameyness" of the whole thing. Outside of the five tracks I mentioned as classics, everything on this album sounds the same. Now, I like the sound it's got going for it, so it's not too bad, but a bit of diversity would've been appreciated. It makes the album exhausting. Oh well, still great, though not as great as the next three."

Finding themselves

IRate | 07/11/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While this is their only album I can do without, the country-fried debut still contains enough creativity to hint at the trail these outcasts would blaze on future releases. Some fans claim to always love this most traditional southern rap entry most, but besides for a few creatively produced tracks, a numbing standardization belies the originality this dangerous duo would come to represent."