bigd99999's Full Review: Power in Numbers [PA] by Jurassic 5
Following a successful, maybe classic debut album is never an easy task, specially if its considered an all-time classic. Jurassic 5 is one of those groups to tries their absolute best to achieve this, which is respectable. Even though the name implies, Jurassic 5 is composed of 6 members. 4 Emcees and 2 Producers / DJs. The emcees are Chali 2na, Marc 7, Zaakir, Akil, and the DJs are Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark. On their debut LP Quality Control, these guys gave us a pure hip-hop classic loaded with fun and positive messages. In 2000, it seemed like they dominated the rap world, with one of the best of that year. A year later, these 6 talents returned to the studio to work on their sophomore LP. In 2002, the completed sophomore album by Jurassic 5 hit stores once again, as backpackers nationwide pumped a brand new cd into their portables, that being Power in Numbers.
In listening to Power in Numbers, i notice that instead of Jurassic 5 taking a step forward, or a step-back, they side-step, and give us a very different sophomore album. Of course, the old-school characteristics are still intact, as well as the excellent rhyming and production, but this is a very different sounding album than Quality Control. It keeps the tradition of old, but adds new layers and new textures to the music, giving it a brilliant new sound. But the real question still remains... is it better than Quality Control? Read on my loyal Big D reader, and as Morpheus said in The Matrix "The Answers are Coming..."
Track List & Rating
1 - This Is (NOT RATED)
2 - Freedom (***)
3 - If You Only Knew (***)
4 - Break (****)
5 - React (NOT RATED)
6 - A Day at the Races (***)
7 - Remember His Name (****)
8 - What's Golden (*****)
9 - Thin Line f/ Nelly Furtado (*****)
10 - After School Special (****)
11 - High Fidelity (*****)
12 - Sum of Us (*****)
13 - DDT f/ Kool Kieth (***)
14 - One of Them (*****)
15 - Hey (****)
16 - I Am Somebody (****)
17 - Acetate Prophets (NOT RATED)
Undoubtedly, the most memorable song from Power in Numbers has to be the lead-single, which im sure everybody, even commercial fans heard it, called "What's Golden".
Featuring one of the coolest, funkiest, and most head-bobbing beats crafted in all of 2002, which is composed of synthesized bass, keyboard, scratching, trumpets, perfectly orchestrated together for J-5 spit flames on. Each member of J-5 drops some tight complex braggadiocio, having Chali 2na spit the last bar with his memorable line "I'm the verbal herman munster". The chorus is catchy and head-bobbing, and everybody loves it... hands down. Not to mention the Public Enemy sample is well appreciated.
Moving on, we start Power in Numbers with "This is", which is a simple intro with an African Drum Beat to it, leading into "Freedom", which is a bit different than what we're accustomed to.
J-5 drop verses about the childhood troubles of being raised on the streets. It has several soul samples and an overall soulful, deep sound to it, making it a nice opening track, but i was expecting hard braggadiocio or venomous battle rhymes, i guess not.
This is followed by "If You Only Knew", which is the exact same premise and subject matter, but the beat uses more piano and jazz influences, well-produced and fitting for the lyrics and subject matter.
Throughout Power in Numbers, we get several tracks that bring us to the older style of Jurassic 5, which is old-school braggadiocio, very well-written verses, as they each drop flames. Jurassic 5 are still as versatile and skilled as on their debut, and they prove it more than once on this album. "Break" is a track reminiscent of something that would be found on Quality Control". The idea here is a mix of old-school and new-school braggadiocio, loaded with clever punchlines. The beat changes throughout the song, giving us a different feel during the song, and its very carefully produced. Definetely good listening.
This is followed by "Day at the Races", which is the same idea. Only this time, the track is a bit more fast paced, and a bit harder edged than the previous. "Hey" is the most unique out of these braggadiocio tracks, mostly due to the beat. The instrumental is a soft, jazz influenced beat, perfect for J-5 to drop soft, yet hardening flows. The beat sounds like it was produced by the Soulquarians. The hook is hauntingly soft and head-bobbing, and the track definetely has appeal for both underground and commercial hip-hop fans, so its a must-listen.
Jurassic 5 get heavily introspective on "Thin Line".
This track is reminiscent of D-12's "When the Music Stops" when it comes to subject matter. J-5 rap subject matter about loyalty, friendship, and the life of a rap star. They touch on the trials and tribulations, the problems, and the struggle to be an emcee, specially in the underground. They mention the respect that is deserved. The very annoying Nelly Furtado pops in on this track, but she ain't annoying, cause she adds a new texture and flavor to the hook, and i enjoyed her on here. The main message is that friendships and relationships can change when fame and fortune enter the picture, getting very personal at times. The beat is a beautifully composed track, mixed with bass, keyboard, and some synthesizer effects in the background.
One of the most stand-out tracks on Power in Numbers is the amazing "One of them".
Jurassic 5 decide to get venomous on here, as they completely annihilate commercial and mainstream rap with a force. They take down the idiotic, stupid, and ridiculous materialistic rappers and diss them, and i can feel their anger, and they throw some subtle shots at Juvenile and Cash Money in particular. One of the most memorable punchlines is the famous: "The only girl that ever loved you called you son" line. Definetely hot sh*t. The scratching and beat is reminiscent of early 90s hip-hop, with bass, guitar, and claps, mixed together nicely.
Power in Numbers is a very good album. Thankfully, there is no weak tracks, or overall weak moments on the album lyrically, but the beats lack sometimes, which is why every song isn't 5 stars... due to lackluster production. Is it better than Quality Control, nope, but a nice try and pretty close to getting there. The feel is indeed different, and J-5 have evolved, but they havent given me enough creativity to make it a complete classic. However, i believe that this album is a great buy for any hip-hop fan, and a must-have for backpacking J-5 fans. Pick it up!...
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
![Power in Numbers [PA] by Jurassic 5](http://di1.shopping.com/images1/pi/76/31/34/2006749217-177x150-0-0.jpg)
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.