Customer Reviews

20/20

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's hard to say this album sucks, but really it just doesn't hit hard at all. This album is really formulaic-sounding, and not terribly creative. Back Again is a decent track, but a little repetitive, plus they never left so what is the point. Rather ironic to make your first single Back Again when this has been the shortest amount of time between albums.

My favorite tracks are probably You Can't Hide You Can't Run, and Kindness for Weakness. Defari is the only reason that Olde English is a good track (if you see Olde English in the grocery store, fight the temptation because it is horrible beer, it will give you a mild hangover from drinking just one 40).

The saddest part of this whole thing is the lyrics, which have gone downhill significantly since Platform. Rakaa has always been tight, but Evidence has been extremely boring starting with Expansion Team, save one or two songs. This album is carried by the catchy scratches, and the verses just seem like going through the motions. Even Rakaa used to have way more creative lyrics, but in this album it's just blah blah plus mentioning Bush or the Contra affair or some political nonsense. If you want a sample of how Evidence used to be, jump on limewire and download "Main Event" and "Work the Angles."

Dilated used to be cool and unique, but they've managed to pigeonhole themselves into a rather boring style. I even thought Neighborhood Watch bordered on formulaic/repetitive, but it even has tracks I love like Reach Us (instant classic), Love and War, and World on Wheels. If I were to compose a best of Dilated mixtape, I don't think that any tracks from 20-20 would be on there.

I admit, Dilated Peoples Album 20/20, has its strong points and its weak points. No I don't have any other DP albums, so I can't really say if they are getting better or worse lyrically, but I've been hearing them on compilation albums such as Lyricist Lounge II, and Soundbombing II and finally decided to give them a try.

There are some strong points on this album. The lead single "Back Again" and "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run" and "The One And Only" come off nice with the samples on the track, along with DJ Babu cutting and scratching, that kind of reminds me of hip hop back in the early 90's, because you don't hear many DJs doing things like that on albums very much. Rakaa Iriscience really comes off hard on most of the tracks such as "Firepower (The Tables Have To Turn)", a reggae type of track saying "If we say we're 'Pro War'/ only fight for peace/ man that means it's no war/ think the price of life is cheap?/ but we're saying no more..."

There are some weak points also in this album. First, Evidence comes off medicore behind the mic, on tracks such as "Another Sound Mission" or even on the good song "Back Again" where he says "It's a new year, ok, I got sh.. to confess/ like I don't smoke no weed no more, but ain't smoking no less..." There is some weak production also. Most of the production is kept within Dilated Peoples fam, including Alchemest. Despite the lyrically great song "Kindness For Weakness" featuring Talib Kweli, its flooded with medicore production from Evidence. "The Eyes Have It" I'm just not feeling as it comes off weak sounding. Defari Herut makes a somewhat decent appearance in the song "Old English" Also the skits between songs are pretty pointless as they're about weed, which I don't mind, but it gets annoying.

20/20 is not as bad as everyone is saying. There are some ups and some downs to it, and it's an album that deserves to be given a spin or two. Don't believe these Amazon reviewers or magazine reviews that gave it a one or a two stars, because its not all weak. Cop the album and listen for yourself.

Lyrics: B-
Production: B-
Guest Appearances: B-
Overall: B-

Favorite Tracks: Back Again, You Can't Hide, Rapid Transit,Fire Power (The Tables Have To Turn), The One And Only

Well it seems that Dilated Peoples fourth album is very underrated. The people reviewing this album forget the fact that these cats are bringing honest hip hop to the table. Sure 20/20 isn't their best, but hey it's better than 90 percent of the hip hop music released today. If nothing else this has to be a solid album with a few cuts missing the mark. Back Again, Kindness for Weakness and all the rest except for the songs with Capleton and Olde English are good. I know a lot of people don't like Evidence as a rapper and they think he should step his game up. I will admit that Rakaa is better than he is when it comes to rapping, but hey atleast he is talking about original stuff. DJ Babu, the DJ and member of the group, does his thing on the wheels of steel for the solo cut The One and Only. Most of the beats were produced by Babu. For the most part the beats are good quality and the lyrics and the scratches by Babu are strong, but it's definetely not The Platform. Dilated Peoples get a B grade for the effort and they are really only a handful of crews in hip hop who are really putting thought and energy into their music.

I bought this album after months of anticipation. The talk was all good about 20/20, Dilated admitted they alienated a lot of thier fans on Neighborhood Watch and this time around decided to return to thier "boom bap" roots, as Rakaa said in an interview. This album is almost complete garbage. Now I've only listened to it once, but I think it's enough for me to say that. Evidence and Rakaa rap in sloooow motion on here, neither one of them stepping up thier rap game (especially Evidence). Ev sounds like he's got a cold on the whole album, and both rappers are absolutely stoned out of thier minds. I was looking forward to a B-Real collaboration on the first track, but all it was was Evidence calling B-Real on the phone for some bud. It lasts about 25 seconds. The lead single Back again is OK, with a killer video, but most of the rest of the album is poor attempt for acheiving mainstream status. The production is choppy, and Alchemist only delivers two or three tracks. Babu's scratching is nominal. When I looked at the back cover of the album, I saw a photo of a stoned Rakaa and Ev but didn't see Babu and thought, "what the-", but then wait! There he is. A little tiny picture of his head in between the two rappers. Seems the DJ isn't as important as he used to be, judging by the changed style of pace dilated are taking. It's hard to scratch over tinkerbell beats.

Overall, two stars, and only two because there are a few good moments on the album, and Defari shows up and delivers some good bars, and Talib also, and of course because it IS Dilated Peoples, I really wanted to like this CD because I am a fan of thier early stuff. Now they seem so unfulfilled and boring. Seems they ran out of the concious lyrics they used to do and now rap about the same crap everyone raps about these days. And to all of you who are going to call me a hater and whatnot, go ahead. I'm not hating, but I am going to say what I feel is my personal opinion. I'm no male groupie. I like the group but...there's a point where I just have to put the album back in the case and onto the CD rack to collect dust because it's, to me, subpar.

Maybe thier next album....

I guess it all comes down to personal perspective. 20/20 isn't a bad album. It's very familiar and listening to it gives me a "been there, done that" type of feeling. There are some bangers on the album though (it's Dilated, so you know you can expect a certain level of quality). The production on the album is definitely soulful and dope. Standout tracks like "Back Again", "The Eyes Have It", "Kindness For Weakness" feat. Talib Kweli, and "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run" definitely make this album worth owning. Also, as a DJ, I'm especially fond of albums that allow the DJ to showcase their talents. Babu does his thing and he does it well. Just check out "The One And Only" to hear what I'm talkin' about.

With soulful, bangin' production and precise scratches and cuts all throughout, what makes the album somewhat lackluster is the lyricism.....or lack thereof. I think I said this on the Neighborhood Watch review, but Evidence needs to step up his game. His content never changes and his flow is virtually nonexistent and I think we've heard everything he has to say (you're loyal to your crew, you smoke weed, and you'll never change....okay, we get it already). Rakaa is still tight, but I think Ev's lack of improvement is what keeps this from being a 4 star LP. Also, there are a few tracks that simply do not work. Tracks like "Olde English" feat. Defari (who is in the same boat as Evidence lyrically), "Satellite Radio", and "Another Sound Mission" could've been left off the album. And "Firepower" was straight up boring despite it's good lyrical content courtesy of Rakaa. I wasn't feelin' the skits either, but they stayed within the theme of the album, so I can't complain about them too much.

20/20 is a decent album. The beats are strong, but the lyrics can be spotty from time to time. Evidence needs to step up his lyrical game. The lyrics may have taken a step backward, but it's still a solid effort. When it's all said and done, the album won't blow your socks off, but you won't be mad at yourself for buying it either. Like I said in the beginning, it's really consistent or really redundant depending on your personal view, but it's still a good album. I recommend checking it out.

Standout Tracks: 20/20, You Can't Hide You Can't Run, The Eyes Have It, Back Again, The One And Only (My Favorite), Alarm Music, and Kindness For Weakness feat. Talib Kweli

I guess it all comes down to personal perspective. 20/20 isn't a bad album. It's very familiar and listening to it gives me a "been there, done that" type of feeling. There are some bangers on the album though (it's Dilated, so you know you can expect a certain level of quality). The production on the album is definitely soulful and dope. Standout tracks like "Back Again", "The Eyes Have It", "Kindness For Weakness" feat. Talib Kweli, and "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run" definitely make this album worth owning. Also, as a DJ, I'm especially fond of albums that allow the DJ to showcase their talents. Babu does his thing and he does it well. Just check out "The One And Only" to hear what I'm talkin' about.

With soulful, bangin' production and precise scratches and cuts all throughout, what makes the album somewhat lackluster is the lyricism.....or lack thereof. I think I said this on the Neighborhood Watch review, but Evidence needs to step up his game. His content never changes and his flow is virtually nonexistent and I think we've heard everything he has to say (you're loyal to your crew, you smoke weed, and you'll never change....okay, we get it already). Rakaa is still tight, but I think Ev's lack of improvement is what keeps this from being a 4 star LP. Also, there are a few tracks that simply do not work. Tracks like "Olde English" feat. Defari (who is in the same boat as Evidence lyrically), "Satellite Radio", and "Another Sound Mission" could've been left off the album. And "Firepower" was straight up boring despite it's good lyrical content courtesy of Rakaa. I wasn't feelin' the skits either, but they stayed within the theme of the album, so I can't complain about them too much.

20/20 is a decent album. The beats are strong, but the lyrics can be spotty from time to time. Evidence needs to step up his lyrical game. The lyrics may have taken a step backward, but it's still a solid effort. When it's all said and done, the album won't blow your socks off, but you won't be mad at yourself for buying it either. Like I said in the beginning, it's really consistent or really redundant depending on your personal view, but it's still a good album. I recommend checking it out.

Standout Tracks: 20/20, You Can't Hide You Can't Run, The Eyes Have It, Back Again, The One And Only (My Favorite), Alarm Music, and Kindness For Weakness feat. Talib Kweli

Dilated Peoples 20/20 this is my first dilated album, so i havent heard any of the previous works except the song This Way.

01: Pretty pointless introduction, just evidence (i think) talking with Dr Greenthumb 2/5
02: The lead single, video is all over MTV. The song is catchy, dance-like tune. The Alchemist comes on and goes Yeah Yeah u guys are wicked which some people find annoying, Great track doh 5/5
03: This is okay, doesnt seem great 1st time but is a grower 4.5/5
04: Rakaa goes a bit polictical, evidence is okay 3/5
05: Techno, deep track, gangsta track 4/5
06: Catchy r n b like song, possible single 4.5/5
07: Evidence solo, okay but he could of done better 3/5
08: My favourite song, a lot of people dont like it but the whole track jus sounds wicked, features albino rapper Krondon 5/5
09: lighter version of 05 and more catchy 4.5/5
10: features a bangin piano and um space sounds. raps are good 4/5
11: Different track with a lot of reggae, possible single 4.5/5
12: DJ Babu solo with some evidence and rakaa, finest turntablism 4/5
13: title track. this is jazzy and a great conclusion song 4.5/5

ALchemist who only produces 02 an 13 should of produced most of the album, some beats by evidence and Babu and they should of collaborated with maybe a few big names like The Neptunes or Common

After seeing the excellent video for the Alchemist-laced tune "Back Again," I absolutely had to have this album - no questions asked. Decidedly, I went the next day and spent a good twenty bucks after taxes on 20/20. Unfortunately, Back Again ended up being the best track on here quite easily, but I'm not mad at myself for copping it. Don't expect anything mind-blowing here (it's Dilated), but 20/20 is still a pretty solid album.

Out of the thirteen tracks, there are certainly more good tracks than not. "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run" is soulful enough (and has a killer Keith Murray sample to boot). "Alarm Clock Music" definitely grabs your attention, "Rapid Transit" and "The Eyes Have It" are both great Dilated tunes, and DJ Babu showcases his prowess on the wheels of steel on "The One and Only." Defari and Talib Kweli jump on "Olde English" and "Kindness for Weakness" respectively, and both are welcome guest appearances. On the flipside, Evidence's solo "Another Sound Mission" is pretty flat, the obligatory reggaeton track "Firepower" is way out of place, and the title track, "20/20" features an awkward Alchemist beat.

With a little more work, 20/20 could've been a four-star album. DJ Babu's scratches, for whatever reason, really round out the whole album quite nicely. The skits featuring B-Real flow nicely enough, and I actually don't mind listening to them. It wouldn't hurt if Evidence switched up his flow sometimes, but for the most part, his and Rakaa's lyrics are on-point. If you're buying this for the single, you may end up a bit disappointed, but 20/20 is still solid enough.

Dilated People's 4th album "20/20" was a little dissapointing considering they're following up to one of my favorites "Neighborhood Watch". The jump off single "Back Again" is mad catchy for the clubs, but other than that the rest of the album only has like 4 other worthwhile tracks, "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run", "Alarm Clock Music", "Kindness for Weakness" with one of the best rappers in the game, Talib Kweli. With tracks like these in the starting lineup I thought Dilated finally got their act together but the I heard "Olde English", "Another Sound Mission", "Rapid Transit" and some others I knew they hadn't changed much from their old style. The closer "20/20" is a tight track that properly closes the cd with a up beat song with a ill swagger. Personally I think Evidence needs to get a new rappin styles on certain tracks like "Another Sound Mission", cuz he's gone dry and even if the lyrics are tight he puts me asleep like a nursery rhyme...Good looks on the album, but hopefully next time around the streets can get somethin new from a group that has struggled to break out and hit the charts.~100~

After the slightly disjointed (in my opinion) album "Neighbourhood Watch" I was urging these underground heroes to come correct.I see signs of that on this album that has convinced me they're on their way back to their best. The obvious tracks such as "Back Again", "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run", "Kindness For Weakness", "The Eyes Have It" and "20/20" reaffirmed my belief in their skills. However weak-ish tracks like "Firepower" and "The One And Only" take away from the overall quality. The big surprise for me was Evidence's delivery over alot of the tracks. His usual laidback flow sound's almost lazy. The beats on "Olde English" and "Rapid Transit" arent your usual Dilated tracks, they're really dark and sinister with Defari and Krondon appearing on them respectively. Then with the other solid tracks "Alarm Clock Music", "Another Sound Mission" and "Satellite Radio" we definitely get an improved album from the Peoples. Tight flows and beats for the most part. Straight laced hiphop all the way, you couldnt ask for any more. Maybe abit more energy from Evidence (which we'll hopefully see on his solo album "The Weatherman" later this year) but other than that, you'll enjoy this.