Customer Reviews

4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First things first: Gift of Gab without Chief Xcel is like Guru without DJ Premier. Like Gang Starr, Blackalicious have an unbreakable chemistry that has produced magical LPs in the form of NIA and Blazing Arrow, and that chemistry is noticeably absent on "Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up." Don't get it twisted, Jake One and Vitamin D are two extremely talented up-and-coming producers, but their beats come off as amateurish when compared to the beats fans are used to hearing Gab rip over. With that said, "FDRGU" is a solid solo release that finds Gift of Gab rocking multiple flows ("Ride of Your Life" and "Rat Race") in his preachiest, happiest form yet. At times Gab comes off as the 2004 version of KRS-One, as evidenced by his uplifting, fatherly narratives on "Up," "Way of the Light," and "Evolution." Although Gab has always been a highly introspective emcee, "Fourth..." provides an outlet for him to get even more personal as, afterall, it's HIS solo album. He reflects on his battle with alcoholism on "Moonshine," pens his first standard love song with "To Know You," and pays homage to the icons and trends of his era on "Flashback." There are no classic, groundbreaking anthems like "Deception" or "Sky is Falling" here, just a brisk, insightful walk through the life of Tim Parker sprinkled with battle tracks ("Real MCs" and "Writz"). Check this out if you're looking for a positive, inspring album.

This album speaks to me.

From the very first track (The Ride of Your Life) to the very last (Just Because) this proves to be a very focused, poignant glimpse into the life of Tim Parker, AKA The Gift of Gab. From the deeply introspective ("In a Minute Doe", "Moonshine"), to the unabashed feel-good jams ("Flashback", "Way of the Light"), to the hardcore battle raps ("Real MCs", "The Writz") and everything inbetween, every song is complete and every song is, plainly, off the freekin' hook. Featuring production that makes my spine tingle combined with lyrics that make you think, smile, laugh, and in some cases re-examine your life (sometimes all at once), 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up is a journey that covers uncharted musical territory.

This is just one of those albums - it gives you an indescribable feeling, starting with the first time you listen to it and never ending. It is in every way a perfect album - that is, every way except one.

It's just too short. I still love the album and I'd give it 6 stars if I could, but it's just too short. Maybe one or two more songs and I would throw away all my other CDs and listen to this one for the rest of my life.

This is the perfect album for somebody who is not afraid of music that demands you sit down and think about it.

After six months of teasing us with multiple release dates, signing to epitaph and getting ugly reviews that obliterated all traces of hype, Rocketships has finally gone up. To be honest there's nothing bad I can say about this album. Perhaps my only problem with this album is that as a devoted Blackalicious head it's hard to hear Gift without Chief manning the turntables. Don't get me wrong, the production on this album is bananas, but the 15-odd years that this outfit has been together makes both Gift and Chief's sound go hand-in-hand. However, once you look past that and look at this effort objectively, as a separate entity shall we say, then you can dig it. I say this because I've heard a lot of fools dogging the beats and I don't think that's fair because the sound is dope and it compliments Gab's style perfectly.

This album is necessary in today's rap game because it's positive yet soulful, and there is very very little stopping anyone from bobbing their head to this. Vitamin D and Jake One drop some rump shaking beats and Gift shines with his air-tight flow and mind boggling lyrics. Seems like Gift opted to dismantle the Soleside fellowship for this one - no sign of Lateef or Lyrics Born. I imagine that when the Blackalicious album drops later this year they'll be back on the mic together.

Bottom line for this album is that while you can expect to hear Quannum's trademark funk, the absence of multiple Quannum guests, particularly Chief Xcel, makes this album a different listen. In my opinion you have the best of both worlds: the traditional soulful output of the Quannum crew, yet something new and unique, which is always refreshing.

This is an album you should cop for the summer. This is a no-nonsense soul-flavored album that will make your head bob and you summer Saturdays that much better. If you like Quannum's output then you'll love this, and because it's different you'll appreciate it even more. It's a solid listen from start to finish so trust me, peep this and your earphones will thank you.

The Gift of Gab is defending the patch of hip-hop territory that he has carved out with Blackalicious. His solo effort lands in the exact same area as 2001's hip-hop masterpiece "Blazing Arrow." Gab has been trying to clear the muddy waters of mainstream hip-hop for quite awhile with nostalgic beats and a ticking-motor flow the hip-hop fans who are tired of what the mainstream floats in their faces. Anyone who likes Blackalicious will feel at home with Gab's Rocketships and anyone just being introduced to Gab will also feel welcome. The only thing I would like to see from Gab is a little growth. He knows what he is doing and he does it well, but if there is a second solo release let the feelers out a little more and try out some different dimensions. Gab needs to step away from Blackalicious. I understand the resistance as Blackalicious has made him who he is and "Blazing Arrow" is one of the best hip-hop albums ever made, but he could give the arrow a good run if he took his hip-hop in another direction. "The Ride of Your Life" is a solid opener straddling the fence between new-age with harps floating everywhere and solid hip-hop with Gab throwing out his signature flow. "The Writz" has Gab dancing over a jazzy piano line that curls around his lyrics like cigarette smoke in a dark club with red lights. Rocketships is solid from start to finish and delivers what his fans are expecting, but it isn't testing their ears. Let the flow go even further Gab. Keep the nostalgia in your songs, but push it harder. Put another album out soon. This will hold me over until then, but I'm expecting a little more than another faux Blackalicious album.

This album is rock solid on all levels. Some other reviewers downplay the production on this album, but I have to disagree. The production is different than Chief Xcel's but it is in no way inferior. Just different. The soulful beats and riffs are amazing and I can't get enough. I get tired of listening to most albums after a while, but not this one. I bought this album the day it came out and I'm still in awe with it. Gift of Gab seemed to pour his soul out into this one. The album is filled with spiritually uplifting verses. I have to say I listen to this album for spiritual comfort at times. Some people might knock it b/c it's too spiritual, but it's just real! He touches on topics alot of people deal with. From peer-pressure to just finding your way in life. In the end, Gift looks up for guidance, and he doesn't mind sharing it. With all the garbage out in the hip-hop scene as of late, it's extremely refreshing to hear such positive spiritually uplifting music.

I've had this album for a while now, but just now getting around to reviewing it. It was strange because I remember buying my first Blackalicious album(Blazing Arrow), and before even listening, I was looking through the insert booklet and I was on Amazon and noticed a name on the Rap/Hiphop page that matched one in the booklet: Gift of Gab! That's right, I bought a Blackalicious around the same time as the lead MC comes out with his own solo! Well, I made sure I got "Nia" before buying this album, and this one was hard to find. Through these three albums, I am a big believer in the Gift of Gab as the best MC out there today who emerged around the turn of the millenium or after.
This album didn't move me anything like "Nia" and "Blazing Arrow" had the first time around. It is quite short, but I kept listening and sure liked this one though. It's very consistent and there are no missteps to be found, unlike the risks they took on "BA." It's odd that my favorite songs are the shortest ones, like "Ride Of Your Life," "Up," and "Ride On." Otherwise, "In A Minute Doe," and "Moonshine" are great for their pure soul, and "Stardust" for the mind-boggling lyrics and flow. "To Know You" is the first somewhat-love song that I've heard from Gab. Gab's lyrics throughout this album are drenched with awareness, spirituality, love, and soul-searching, as well as the occasional battle rhymes and criticism of wack MC's.
The production is decent on "4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up," with use of Rocketship sounds and samples from rap legends like Brother J(X Clan), LL Cool J, and Lord Jamar(Brand Nubian). How 'bout that harp noise to start off the album? Still, this cd can't hold a candle to what Cheif Xcel does in Blackalicious. This album seems very pedestrian musically compared to the moving, vast soundscapes that we're used to with Xcel and Blackalicious. Otherwise, you have an outstanding MC who stills pulls out with a solid debut album. Gift of Gab wears glasses and kind-of has a nerdy voice, and I love that. Here's an MC that doesn't sound threatening even when rhyming at a rapid-fire pace, which he does often. Gab's flow always seems to match the beat he's given. He has yet to drop a Parental Advisory album. I took this as Gab taking some time away from Blackalicious to do his own thing, and it's everything one can expect, but let's hope they get another Blacalicious joint out sometime in the near future! Cheif Xcel and Gift of Gab create magic when they're together. If you have this already, or have yet to get an album that Gift of Gab has been a part of, I recommend this one but by all means make sure you get Blackalicous' 2000 masterpiece "NIA."

I purchuased the album yestarday, and I am already seeing my thought process change a little. Some may say that allowing a cd to change how you think makes one very impresionable, well it doesn't happen often but it did with this one. When MC's treat hip hop as an art form, they really can influence the lives of others in a positive way. When that message their tyring to send out hits and you realize that you feel the same way but havent yet been able verbilze those feelings, it allows your mind to expand. I love music that makes you think, and this album did that for me. Think postively and enjoy those around you, which is easy to do when your driving with the windows down, past swaying palm trees with the gift of gab all up in your ear but for now, i gotta go back to work cause this was just a thought from the office.

I picked the album up the first day it came out after months of waiting for it to drop. I was a bit dissapointed at first. There aren't any songs on this that can matchup with the best of Blackalicious. However, it's solid all the way through. Even the track without gab has a nice beat. Gab's flow is tight and production is suprisingly good, but this album can't touch NIA or Blazing Arrow. Still if you like hip hop, and especially if you like quannum, it's worth the $15.

Yeah, it's not a blackalicious CD. But honestly, once you're listening to this you're still convinced Gab is one of the most underrated MC's of his time. You're still convinced this man is a true lyrical genuis. I like his way of looking at the industry as well. The track "just because" says it like hip-hop should be. He's gutsy enough to say he isn't a rapper just out for money in the end of it all.
Even though this isn't a Blackalicious album, Jake One and Vitamin D's beats still pack a punch when Gab flows to them. Make this a definite purchase for any blackalicious fan, underground hip-hop fan, or people who appreciate lyrical genius.

Well...where to start? This album is a great variance of many musical genres and flavours. When I saw The Gift of Gab live with the whole Quannum crew (Quannum World Tour 2004) it was clear to me that this man represents the "upper crust" of what Quannum is producing lyrically. This collection steps further toward enlightening, and perhaps even coatchanging, ignorant commercial radio and TV rapheads (y'all know those people out there who call Jay-Z, Nas, or Em the greatest).
Reminscent tracks such as "Flashback" with that old feeling of the theme from the TV series "Welcome Back Kotter" really had me in a zone on the first listen. "Just Because" lettin' y'all know why he does what he does. Gift, at the live show you astonished me, thank you for the love. Lyrics Born thank you for the live performance and for your recent solo album as well. Lifesavas tambien, gracias por todo! Quannum, you don't disappoint with your live performance as well as the recent new releases. Keep movin' on, movin' on, movin' on.