Behind the Front [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Black Eyed Peas

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1998)
• Original Release Date: June 30, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B000007SAT
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,285 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Black Eyed Peas' debut, Behind the Front, may sound thoroughly familiar: like A Tribe Called Quest, they sprout positive, deftly delivered lyrics out of their light jazz, R&B, and funk tracks; like the Roots, this multi-ethnic outfit's three MCs drop science in front of a live band that builds its grooves organically; and at their best, such as on the pop and reggae-flavored "Karma," the group can out-Fugee the Fugees. For some reason, though, the mostly mild, largely scratchless and sample-free record can--at times--be downright tepid. But for the most part, it works--sometimes brilliantly--and as a break from the mostly belligerent voices in hip-hop's mainstream, we can definitely use more of what the Peas have to offer. --Roni Sarig

Rolling Stone
...Behind the Front offers an organic mixture of sampled melodies and live instruments aimed at those of us seeking a little enlightenment with our well-oiled boogie.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Eyed Peas is known for gettin' down, November 12, 2004

By	Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I was first exposed to Black Eyed Peas from their newest effort, 2003's "Elephunk". I dug on it quite a bit, enough to explore their earlier records. "Behind the Front," to my surprise, is much better than I expected. "Elephunk" pales in comparison to their debut in many ways. The beats are solid, funky and fresh, topped with well-timed samples. The biggest difference is in the lyrical content. The socially conscious lyrics on this album are positive, fun and laid back. It's uniquely funky, and keeps you coming back for more.

The first track on the album "Fallin' Up" starts it off right, representing what Black Eyed Peas is all about. Especially with the lyric: "I see you try to dis our function by stating that we can't rap - Is it cuz we don't wear Tommy Hilfiger or baseball caps? - We don't use dollars to represent - We just use our innocence and talent." Other standouts include "Clap Your Hands," their old-school-influenced first single, "Joints and Jam," "The Way U Make Me Feel," "Karma," "Love Won't Wait," and "Positivity".

All and all, The Black Eyed Peas shine here, really showing their old-school hip influenced talent. They change it up nicely with a fun and positive feel and attitude. I would recommend this one above "Elephunk" for sure.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original, Hype, ooohhhh damnnnnn!, January 7, 2001

By	"draracle" (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews

I don't know if I own a more original sounding album, can you even compare these guys to anyone? The originality that is produced on this album is just amazing, each song is fresh and has a unique sound. The hooks are catchy, and the lyrics positive. Positive? Lyrics? Yes, positive. The music in the album is also positive and up-beat, no hardcore beats or rap here, which most of you true heads will respect, that alone is something on its own. Only seen on occasion in bands such as de la, mos def, tribe etc. Most of the tracks developed in this album contain live instruments with the big exception of "Be Free", a unique electronicaly developed song expressing BEP's desire to Be Free in their music and record what they feel, present the image they want to present with no pressures of "mainstream" hip-hop. If I was to compare this group to anybody it would have to be Jurassic 5, but thats like comparing apples to oranges, sure they are both fruit, but then these groups are both amazing!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Da' Peas Pre-Fergie Debut and One Of Their Best To Date!, January 17, 2006

By	MUZIK4THAPEOPLE!! (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews

The first time I ever saw The Black Eyed Peas incredible
live show was in the summer of 1998 in NYC, and the
next day I was at the Virgin Megastore buying this album.."Behind The Front"!!
I was hooked and turned everyone I knew on to them!
This was (to me) when "Da' Peas" were at their best...
before the addition of Fergie and that sing-songy
commercial BS that they do now!
I love everything on this CD, including the little
game-show-like snipets which link the songs together.
It was funky, funny, trippy, hip-hop and even though
alot of people say they had too much "Tribe Called Quest"
in their sound at the time, if you had seen them live back
then you would've known that "Da' Peas" had their own
thing brewin' in a big way!
I would take this one and their follow-up
"Bridging The Gap" over their new stuff any
day of the week!
Okay--"Elephunk" was cool for the most part,
but they were already diluting their funk by then
and were actively seeking a pop audience.
From the new set, aptly named "Monkey Business",
the only one that really moves me is "Don't Lie"
but the rest puts me to sleep!
4-Real!--If you want to feel what BEP was about,
then "Behind The Front" and "Bridging The Gap"
are the ones baby!
Incidentally, there were some hot videos from those
two CD's which got little airplay on MTV, BET or VH-1.
Why do you have to sell your artistic soul and dull
your creativity these days to get acceptance in the pop world?