De La Soul - 3 Feet High And Rising Review

De La Soul 3 Feet High And Rising

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Tracklist:
1. "Intro" - 1:41
2. "The Magic Number" - 3:16
3. "Change in Speak" - 2:33
4. "Cool Breeze on the Rocks" - :47
5. "Can U Keep a Secret?" - 1:40
6. "Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge)" - 3:25
7. "Ghetto Thang" - 3:35
8. "Transmitting Live from Mars"- 1:11
9. "Eye Know" - 4:13
10. "Take It Off"- 1:52
11. "A Little Bit of Soap" - :49
12. "Tread Water" - 3:52
13. "Potholes in My Lawn" - 3:50
14. "Say No Go" - 4:20
15. "Do as De La Does" - 2:06
16. "Plug Tunin'" - 4:12
17. "De la Orgee" - 1:13
18. "Buddy" - 4:54
19. "Description" - 1:31
20. "Me, Myself and I" - 3:40
21. "This Is a Recording 4 Living in a Fulltime"- 3:19
22. "I Can Do Anything (Delacratic)" - :41
23. "D.A.I.S.Y. Age" - 4:42
24. "Plug Tunin'" [Original 12" Version] - 3:43

Ranking: #15 for 1989

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4.3
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4.5
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Theleftside2 USER (9 Reviews)

2005-01-16 | 12 comments | 2,166 views

2 of 2 thought this review was well written

#346 off Rolling Stone's 500 greatest albums of all time.

This is the debut album of one of Hip-hop's more influential groups...People like Mos Def, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Black Eyed Peas, Black Sheep, and a few others are highly inspired by this group, and album by itself. The album hardly contains profanity unlike other hip-hop albums from around the time. Many times considered the Sgt. Pepper of Hip-hop.
"3 Feet High and Rising is often viewed as the stylistic beginning of 1990s alternative hip hop (especially jazz rap)" -source: nationmaster.com

Produced by Prince Paul, who would produce their first 3 albums, he would become one of Hip-Hop's better and probably most underrated producers of that genre.

"While sampling was hardly new, 3 Feet High and Rising revolutionized the technique and influenced virtually every producer and artist to come later." - source: natiomaster.com

1. Intro -
This is the introduction of the album (duh!)...It starts off as a game show, Where all the members of De La Soul are asked four Nearly impossible questions, which as the album goes they wont know the answers to. It's just a funny track and a good way to start the album.

2. 3 Is The Magic Number -
On this album De La Soul switches samples in between songs more than Mr. Bungle switches genres in between songs. This song is a good example. Sampling artist like Johny Cash and The Turtles. De La Soul almost sound completely childish, yet the lyrics are about very mature subjects without the constant abuse of curse words. 5/5

3. Change In Speak -
A Very funky track. It's short but it's good. The lyrics are really trippy, With Posdnous often repeating the last syllable in each verse. This song contains a sample of one of the most sampled artists: James Brown. 4/5

4. Cool Breeze on The Rocks -
One of the very few tracks that contain A cuss word. It's actually a really cool track, even though it only clocks in at around 40 seconds. Just a bunch of samples using the word "Rock"; which, if you think about it, is symbolizing Hip-hop as Rock. 5/5

5. Can U Keep A Secret -
A short witty skit with friend and Producer Dante Ross almost whispering intimate and disgusting secrets of the guys from De La Soul over a nice yet unusual Eastern break beat. To where he gets caught at the end with the words...."And you're not getting a haircut either...Scrub!" 3.5/5

6. Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge) -
One of my favorite Hip-hop songs ever. The drum sample is just amazing. many of the songs on this album are extremely personal and heartfelt recountings of early sexual intercourse. This is one of them. A song I can relate to. :p There's also a short intermission between the song, that wasn't on the 12" version of this song, where the Mysterious virgin kid named Derwin is showing us something Jenny can never do. Showing us his skills on the piano. "Look at him go..Look at him Go...Ah baby." :lol: The song also has a strong message. It is very good and I highly recommend it to any first time Hip-hop listener. 5/5

7. Ghetto Thang -
A very serious song about living in the ghetto. Yes I know what you're thinking...Typical Rap song. Well...whatever..but this song contains a nice lyrical delivery, that is rare to find now a days. 4/5

8. Transmitting Live From Mars -
A weird Skit sampling French Education tapes we're all familiar with. The French is being played over a nice break beat and sometimes scratched. It's pretty funny, especially if you understand French. "Ecoute e Repete."

9. Eye Know -
A very nice mellow song with a cool break beat. This song has a nice whistleing sample that comes in during the verse and is extremely catchy. The samples are very well arranged here. The lyrics are just ...nice. Not exactly Lovey Dovey, but more on the poetic side. It's a very good hip-hop love song. 4.5/5

10. Take It Off -
A skit/track with the guys basically freestyling. It is them sending a message (as funny as it may be) to insecure people who care too much about their appearance. It is short and nothing too special besides the meaning itself. 3.5/5

11. A Little Bit Of Soap -
This is almost a continuation of the last track. It's probably one of the funniest tracks on here. I wisxh it was alittle longer though. 4.5/5

12. Tread Water -
A lot of people compared De La Soul to hippies and pointed fingers At their childlike, simple approach at complex issues. On this song animals exhort the listener to maintain a positive mental attitude. It's a nice track with some pretty cool Jazzy samples. 4/5

13. Potholes In My Lawn
This song is great. Every sample used in this song is arranged so nicely. the lyrics have a very cool scheme to it and fit along very well with the sample changes. The "Chorus" has a funny yet interestingly catchy 'Yodeling' sample. :lol: I can hear a huge chunk of Wu-Tang's inspiration coming from this song. It is definitely one of the highlights off this album. 5/5

14. Say No Go -
Another sweet song with nice samples and a positive message. It talks about Saying "No" to drugs. It's a Very Good Hip-Hop song. That's all I have to say about this song really. 4.5/5

15. Do As De La Does -
A very funny track...with the guys from De La Soul Freestyling over an Old School break beat. This is one of the only songs that contain profanity. It's mostly just talk. "If you like to drink some Soda!!! Let me hear you say Coca-Cola!!!" Also near the end one of the members is heard mocking an Italian accent. "Hey De La Soul..You Fuckin' Lasagna Heads that Was better than my momma's Lasagna!" :lol: 4/5

16. Plug Tunin' -
A Remake of the last track on this album. The difference is it's extended, and has a nice Harp sample added. Probably one of the best straight up Hip-hop songs on this album. The lyrics are very juicy for any Hip-hop fan to pick up right away and enjoy. It's too bad MX is small on Hip-hop heads. :upset: 5/5
5/5

17. De La Orgy -
As the title suggests. This is a skit with some women and the guys from De La Soul making Erotic sounds. If you're turned on by this...enjoy. :naughty: 3/5

18. Buddy -
This is one of De La Soul's more popular songs on this album. It Is very laid back. Featuring Q-Tip from A Tribe called Quest, and the Jungle Brothers. It's a song about Buddy.:p 4.5/5

19. Description -
A track with all the members of De La Soul describing themselves over a break beat. It Is very similar to a limerick. Ended by Producer Prince Paul. 4/5

20. Me Myself and I -
One of Hip-hop's most recognizable songs. Contains a Sample of Funkadelic's "Not Just." It is very well arranged. The lyrics are also very good. This is the song that put De La Soul on a promised throne of Hip-hop's finest. If you've never heard this song. I suggest you do...no matter what your preference in music is. 5/5

21. This Is A Recording For Living In A Full-time Era (L.I.F.E) -
A very heavy bass track. The bass is probably what stands out the most from this song. The Lyrics are very good though. If you're a hip-hop fan you'll like this track. 4/5

22. I Can Do Anything (Delacratic) -
A very humorous skit. It's just too funny. I can barely describe it. The guys are beat boxing while Dove tries to freestyle, talking about everything he can do. :p 4.5/5

23. D.A.I.S.Y. Age -
A very popular song among De La Soul's fans. The way Posdnous "Flows" is so cool. The beat has a cool timing which the lyrics fit so well to. The lyrics don't really have a meaning to it on this song but the rhymes used are excellent. It's a very unique hip-hop track. This is also the Ending of the Game show started in the beginning of this album. By this time you might have already realized that the guys couldn't figure out the answers. 5/5

24. Plug Tunin' (Original 12" Version) -
This is the same as #16 on the album. Except this was released before the album. and had some emptiness to it that was later fixed up to be better on the album. I wont repeat what I said before. It's just a really good straight up Hip-Hop song. 4.5/5

That's it.

I really feel this is going to be my last review. This one took me some time to review. I dont wish to get feedback for making this Review but, Rather I hope I can get some people to get into De La Soul and pick this cd up. :thumb:

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