"Starkonia"
Far from Pungent
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| Outkast has always pushed the limits of hip-hop with t heir experimental beats and southern -fried version of positive rap. With some straight "pimpish rap" thrown in there to keep their street credibility, they have accomplished something that other groups as original such as Hieroglyphics and Genaside have not been able to touch. They push the barriers further with their newest release, "Stankonia", named after their recording studio in Southwest Atlanta. |
Four out of Five Bolts |
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From the high-tempo drum machines and choirs on in their first single, "Bombs Over Baghdad"; to driving guitar licks on "Gasoline Dreams"; along with the slow-paced singing of Eryka Badu (member Andre Benjamin's wife) on "Humble Mumble" and everywhere in between, Outkast shows their creativity and ability to merge many different styles. This talent has which have kept them around long enough to create for four albums, while most groups are lucky to get away with creating two. Although it lacks the hardcore feel of their "Organized Noize" produced debut "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzak," or the consistency of their other two disks "ATLiens" and "Aquemeni,", they make up for it in improved rhymes and guest appearances from label mates Goodie Mob and Slimm Calhoun on tracks such as "So Fresh, So Clean" and "Red Velvet". All in all, "Stankonia" has been one of the best releases of the year, and comes highly recommended for anyone who enjoys hip-hop. |
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