trey_stone's Full Review: Aquemini [PA] by OutKast
More than anything else they've done, "Aquemini" is OutKast's "statement" album. What said statement is, I'm not always 100% on, though Andre railing against uncreative thug rap on "Return of the 'G'," painting a desperate picture of his urban surroundings on the title track, and the Atlanta duo's spoken word ruminations on life on "SpottieOttieDopaliscious" certainly stand out. But even if it takes you a second to grasp their lyrics, "Aquemini's" an album that _sounds_ like it's trying to be important. And consequently, I of course have to hate it.
OK, so not really, otherwise I wouldn't give it four stars. Although I maintain that "Stankonia" is OutKast's opus (cuz it's like, weird and stuff,) "Aquemini's" the first album where they really started to live up to their greatest hip-hop group out of the South (anywhere?) title.
While "Return of the 'G'" opens things up on a hard-hitting note, to me it's the title track where everything starts to take shape. The song's lush, hazy vibe is completely engrossing, and Andre really shines here, dropping thoughtful rhymes while moving on and off beat without sounding unnatural. "Slump" and "West Savannah" are more upbeat, but retain the organic funk feel, serving as an optimal backdrop for Big Boi & co.'s life lessons, particularly on the latter where he recounts his days growing up.
"Da Art of Storytellin' (Part 1)" brings you back to the spacier vibe of the title track, albeit in a more upbeat fashion, and Andre once again kills his verse, doing some rapidfire storytelling (surprise.) Meanwhile "Part 2" flips the proceedings into a more frenetic, urgent tone, to intense effect.
I mentioned Pink Floyd in the title? Well, I wouldn't directly compare "SpottieOttieDopaliscious" to Floyd stylistically, but it's certainly one of the proggiest rap songs on the album, mostly spoken word about life lessons over an incredibly immersive, slow-burning funk groove with some horns thrown in to spice things up. It's not a song so much as just an extended soundscape, but I can't complain when it's this good. Meanwhile "Chonkyfire" ends the album with a bang, using ominous violins and an electric guitar line that gives it an epic vibe without collapsing into generic rap-rock sucktitude.
My only real complaint about this album? It takes a few tracks to really get going. While the organic, down-home feel of "Rosa Parks" and the Raekwon collaboration "Skew It on the Bar-B" could work really well in theory, they just sound a little half-realized to my ears. "Rosa Parks" in particular is probably my least favorite 'Kast single, too plain for my tastes. There's also a couple clunkers later in the album, specifically "Synthesizer," which has a potentially compelling doom-n-gloom theme about technological advances but could benefit from a more fleshed-out beat, and "Mamacita," a dirge that easily wins the award for most annoying hook on the album.
So, for the uninitiated, is "Aquemini" where you should start with OutKast? I guess it depends on what exactly you're looking for. If you want some slow, contemplative jams that show how well live instrumentation can be meshed with traditional rapping, it's a safe bet. If you're more into quirky, hyperactive material, "Stankonia" might be more up your alley, and if you're someone who hates rap but feels the need to hold up a handful of not-really-rap rap albums to prove you don't hate _all_ of it, then maybe Andre the Singer's "The Love Below'd" be your thing (OK, so half-joking aside, it's half of a good album.) In any case though, "Aquemini's" certainly one of 'Kast's definitive albums, and proof positive that disposable assembly-line No Limit/Cash Money Records material and Puff Daddy's sample-happy shenanigans weren't all that was going on in late '90s mainstream rap.
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