3-1/2 stars -- Quite an improvement from their compilation a
Anthony Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 02/27/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I wasn't too impressed with Xzibit's crew Strong Arm Steady when they landed songs on albums like Hi-Teknology 2. Actually, I don't know if I can really call them X's crew any more because he is no longer affiliated with them, and he would never state exactly why he left (but on the other hand, if he ISN'T there, there's another guy in the crew that sounds exactly like him). At any rate, their album Deep Hearted is better than I expected.
On second thought, maybe it isn't exactly accurate to call this an improvement for the guys. Not that the album isn't good, but the thing is, I don't think they're well-known enough for casual listeners to be able to distinguish between their voices, and the problem that goes with THAT is that this album has so many guest stars that you'd think they were on Def Jam. The group is only "alone" on two tracks: "On the Grind" and "Wreckless Words" -- but those songs are pretty okay; maybe that's why there ARE so many guest stars. And the song that follows those two, the Juvenile-assisted "Dirty Dirty", isn't very exciting either (and coincidentally, those are the last three tracks).
But there is a bigger assortment of good songs, one of which is "Co-Operation" (with Dilated Peoples). Chamillionaire and Ras Kass help out on "U Ain't Me", as does Talib Kweli on his two appearances, "Streetlights" and the undeniable "One Step". But when Planet Asia joins up with the crew, they hit ("The Movement") and, surprisingly, miss ("King in the Deck"). Oh, well; "Clean Up" and "My Homies" still impress.
While the production tends to sound too reminiscent of Doggystyle-era beats, Deep Hearted is still worth bumpin' in your ride. But for their next album, they should leave the guest stars behind so folks can see how they do on their own.
Anthony Rupert"
STRONG ARM STEADY
PROUD BROTHA | HAMPTON ,VA, BY WAY OF LOS ANGELES | 10/17/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"ALBUM IS HELLA HOT, STRONG ARM STEADY IS A TIGHT GROUP, AND GREAT LOOK FOR WESTCOAST HIP HOP.WEST OR NOTHING"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1