"Some of the reviews have said this isnt a very impressive compilation. I would have to disagree. I have followed Def Jux for a long time, and I think this album is quite good. Yes, there are some lackluster tracks on here.. such as: Make News, Homesickness, Aquatic and Jello. Unfortunately these few that I have mentioned are practically unlistenable. But in contrast to these few poor tracks... both Aesop Rock tracks are nice, Rob Sonic's track is nice too. El-p's tracks are dope, Oxycontin 2 is a great concept track. Hangar 18 came off amazing on both songs. For the most part this album is not only good, it is great, but due to the 4 poor songs, I had to give it only 3.5 stars."
Pretty good compilation...
btnh1999 | 05/13/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Aesop Rock and RJD2 tracks are really exceptional. I didn't like everything else, but that's really why I bought the album, to find out about good artists. If you're buying this for the same reason, or if you're completely new to the underground, I reccomend the Anticon label sampler as well."
Impressive
s.h.o.w.b.i.z. | cleveland, ohio | 05/03/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"the latest installment of the definitive jux roster is back, and in some regards better than ever. this one is easily better than djxp2...better beats and lyrics. contrary to other reviews...i think el-p did a nice job with his lyrics and beats...but i feel aesop rock has fallen off a bit with his wordplay; although i sense it more in his voice and delivery. gems of the album for myself are tracks 7-9...homesickness is just absolutely ill, with devil in the hole's hook very catchy and nice. i would have given this album a 5 but without cannibal ox i just can't."
Pretty good
sofakinghot | Wash. DC | 04/10/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"i was disappointed by Aesop Rock, El-P and the rest. but Def Jux's new commers make this CD worth its every penny (Hangar 18, Despot)"
A Real Review
sofakinghot | 03/21/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sigh, can you really compare El-P's new cd to this release? No, because one's a jazz album, and one's hip hop. Now that that is out of the way, I have to say i think the opposite of "Donn Ronn" the idiot. I've seen almost every def jux artist in concert, new and old, and must say the new artists defenitely aren't bogging this cd down. The tracks from Aesop Rock, Murs, and RJD2 and other def jux vets are awesome, and tracks from rookies like 4th pyramid, and especially hangar 18 are very dope. I think if there is someone bogging the record down it would be el-p himself. some of his lyrics, like the ones on WMR, aren't what you would expect to hear from el-p. Despite the occasionaly dull/cliche lyrics from camu-tao's collab with el-p, or on his joint as SA Smash, all the beats are awesome, and its overall a good taste of what's to come from def jux."