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Little Brother - GetBackAlbum Review by:
Jason Fleurant
Saturday, October 13, 2007
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I won’t front on you, I am a little afraid to listen to the new Little Brother LP “GetBack”. I some-how or another kept myself from listening to any post- 9th Wonder split music other than the last mixtape they dropped out of fear. The fear that it won’t measure up to the magnificent classic “The Minstrel Show”. Afraid that it wouldn’t have the free will of “The Listening”. At sometime men must face their fears and the only feeling I have now is that L.B. may be better off with more variety on the boards.
The album starts off with a smooth piano playing in the background which is interrupted by Tay realizing it’s time to get it popping. The newly freed duo unleashes over “Sirens”, the funky beat lays the foundation as Phonte and Pooh address the real issues that’s being masked because of Imus-gate. It’s obviously Big Pooh has stepped his MC game up as he spits “back independent cause the kids/ I wouldn’t cater/ go against the system/ your in bed with Al Qaeda”. Yet, it’s Phonte that steals the show as usual with lines like “...they tryin’ to blame this rap shit on all of our ills/ like I can stick you up with a mike/ like I can rape you with a verse or use a verb as a knife/... like you wasn’t callin’ black women hoes before/ rappers delight”.
On “Can’t Win For Loosing” Phonte details how originally he wanted to spit for the people yet people didn’t hold them down, so he decided to do it for himself. I am particularly impressed with Big Pooh verse as he takes subtle shots at Atlantic Records with “ now we on the brink of success/ niggas gettin’ praised in the press/ niggas gettin’ backed by Quest/ LB is the new conquest/...ink with a major/ watch how they freak it/ gotta show the people we can keep it, tight/ deep down know somethin’ wasn’t right/ gotta keep pushin’ despite/ but then everybody changed overnight/ when them numbers came back light/ now we outta mind, outta sight”. The Dirty Dozen’s very own Deshaun Porter cooks up that crack on “ExtraHard”, the sample is ridiculous and almost reminds you of 9th. The swag game on the duo is in full effect as they trade verses back in forth.
Vintage LB shines on when you listen to “Dreams”, the track draws you in as Big Pooh paints the picture of him chasing dreams no matter what. Your head just keeps nodding as Phonte responds to people who felt he was ashamed of them with The Minstrel Show “I spent many a sleepless night/ because of it/ until I had to shake that shit off, and reach the conclusion/ that every now and again, you gotta ask yourself/ do you really wanna win or just look good loosing?”, the track is definitely a inferno. And 9th wonder reunites with the gang on “Breakin’ My Heart” featuring what could be viewed by some as an odd paring with Lil Wayne dropping a verse. I really wish I could say that this is the best song on the album mostly because the duo became a trio again but... it was kind of disappointing. Only because of the fact you’d expect so much more being that it’s the only 9th Wonder collaboration, but still its a good track.
The GetBack is a genuine sizzling follow up to the critically acclaim The Minstrel Show. The various productions give it a more diverse sound, rather than the signature we have come accustom to. From Hi-Tek’s “Step It Up” to the classic of “After The Party” and “Good Clothes” the album is a soulful explosion with dope lyrics to boast. The only peeve (if that) I may have is the skits throwing you off on damn near every song. Yet still that is a very minor thing. If you’re a true LB fan, Phonte and Pooh with out question do not disappoint. If you’re just into real fresh Hip-Hop, get your ass to the store and cop because it’s justly worth it. Change though sometimes drastic isn’t always a bad thing, and that is really evident with Little Brother’s latest opus.
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