Customer Reviews

The Listening

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I must admit: Until about a month ago, I had no idea who "Little Brother" was. Yes, I was fond with 9th Wonder's past production, but for one reason or another, "The Listening" never came across my radar. About a year later, I finally got around in buying the album making truth to the phrase "it's better late than never". The lyrics are genuine, most of them falling into the category of "storytelling" while others are more of a "in your face-this is the truth" depiction. But what makes the album likeable is the appealing production in each track, which all have a "old-school hip hop" vibe to it. Although most of it is a tad bit on the simplistic side, it showcases the fact that all you need is a simple beat to flow. This is most notably shown in tracks like "Away From Me", "Love Joint Revisited", the title track "The Listening", and instantly addictive "For You". Other highlights include the opening song "Groupie Pt. 2", the intriguing hook of "Speed", and the best song on the album "Whatever You Say". One of the main problems affecting the album is the repetitiveness of some of the production; I'm not saying it doesn't sound nice, but many of the drum arrangements seem to sound the same: they share the same beat and they have the same snare. If they made some distinctive modifications and some further polishing, it would've really went a long way; during the initial listen, it was difficult to distinguish when a song begun and when the song ended. And it seems to be a consensus when it comes to the skits. Not specifically the interludes, but rather the radio-type interruptions ("WJLR...Bam! The Future of Hip Hop") that can be heard throughout the album maybe six or seven times; they are rather annoying. Although this is extremely minor, I'm going to mention it anyway: another thing that I find annoying is the name-dropping of themselves. I always felt that artists who insist on including their names in songs are a little obnoxious, as if they were saying "Hey! You Know Me! Its me rapping/singing!". Although with some bumps, "The Listening" is the most underrated rap album of 2003. It is an exceptional underground rap album, and with some tweaking, it might be capable in paving the road to Phonte's, Pooh's, and 9th Wonder's aspirations on being "The Future of Hip Hop".

For a minute, I slept on this. But until I got Nas - God's stepson ( 9th Wonder remixes ), I had to hear this. And this is way better. From beginning to end, Little Brother just holds it down. And they from North Carolina. The last place I would think real hip hop would come from. 9th Wonder's beats are amazing. Similar to Pete Rock but with his own twist. Mc's Phonte and Big Pooh are good as well. They definately deserve to rap over beats like these. I would name the good songs on this great album but I would be mentioning basically the whole tracklist, my favs are WHATEVER YOU SAY, SHORTY ON THE LOOKOUT, AWAY FROM ME, NIGHTTIME MANEUVERS, THE LISTENING, and my fav FOR YOU ( which I nominate to be beat of the year ). This album is almost too good. And no, they are not like A Tribe Called Quest. They are just Little Brother. For those seeking great production and good lyrics, get this album. You won't be sorry. Just wait for the sophomore album. That will be bangin' too.

Wow. This is an amzing CD. It's what I have been waiting for. With the state of hip hop lately being in the gutter, this is a breath of fresh air. Little Brother is the future. The whole album is great from beginning to end. Their style reminds me of a throwback to the early 90's, similar to A Tribe Called Quest, but definitely different in their own right. MC's Big Pooh and Phonte have great lyrical talent. They rip the mic on every track, and actually have something worthwhile to say. And the production from 9th Wonder is on point. He knows how to sample records. Some of my favorite tracks are "For You," "Whatever You Say," "The Get Up," "Speed," and the title track, "The Listening," where they sample the classic "They Reminisce Over You" by Pete Rock and CL Smooth. But there isn't a bad track. This is one of the best albums to come out in a while, and is a definite classic in my book. Get this album and support this outstanding new group from North Carolina. NOW.

In the words of DJ Premier, "The underground is like roaches, it will never die". This album is a breath of fresh air. These cats bringing the REAL HIP-HOP. I had to cop the album after hearing about Little Brother's producer, 9th Wonder, laying a track on Jay-Z's Black Album. This CD is hot! The beats on the album remind me of a mixture of A Tribe called Quest, Slum Village and Pete Rock/ CL Smooth. MCs Big Pooh and Phonte can rip the mic. I just cop this CD over a year ago and it's still in heavy rotation. This is the group to watch in the near future.

Best Track "For you" ( It's got a DJ Premier-like chopped loop)

we all remember the great Native Tongue and Alt-Rap groups of the early 90's like A Tribe, J-Beez, De La Soul, Black Sheep, The Pharcyde, Da Bush Babees, Arrested Development, Common Sense the list goes on. Now we all loved those groups but somewhere after Dr. Dre came on the scene those groups became a lot less kool to the public eye. We also remember when they made a comeback with the likes Mos Def & Talib Kweli and The Roots & Common's new found popularity but there really hadn't been any fresh faces in that realm for awhile. That is until Little Brother decided to change that. Producer 9th Wonder and MC's Phonte & Big Pooh formed Little Brother using that name to describe themselves as the "little brothers" of those groups like De La Soul & A Tribe Called Quest. In a sense they are, 9th Wonder uses similar production angle to Jay Dee or Pete Rock or Prince Paul, soulful, sometimes laid back and usually full of energy, and Phonte & Big Pooh have solid but not outstanding deliveries but tight lyrics that are often witty and sometimes insightful like those of Q-Tip or Posdnuos. Most people are quick to hail this album giving it a four star amazing review for the beat and lyrics alone or hailing it a surefire classic which I find a bit suspect. 9th Wonder builds a myriad of grooves for you to sit back and vibe with, using colourful samples of both music and vocals to set a delightful jazz mood to the proceedings, and with an album entitled "The Listening" you've got to make sure things are nice to listen to. On point lyrics and wonderful beat that's what a debut album needs to be considered strong at this album has just that but for me what gives this album a little extra slice of dopeness is where it comes in at this point in time, 2003 most of those positive or alternative rapper had been gone. Mos Def was acting, Common had become an artist and although his music was still interesting it was harder to vibe with for most, J-Beez were working with dance producers, Tribe Called Quest had broken up, Fatlip had left his brothers in The Pharcyde and groups like Black Sheep, Da Bush Babees, and Arrested Development had been gone for years. So Little Brother marks what perhaps could be noted as a resurrection of sorts in the Native Tongue movement and that's why they get a fourth star from me as well as the other three for the production and lyrics. Now I'll just mention what I feel are the highlights on this album.

Groupie pt. 2 - this track sets the rest of the album off. At the beginning it proclaims "the future of hip-hop music" which is a lot to say for a group virtually out of nowhere, although I enjoy this song a lot they seem to contradict themselves a bit with Big Pooh saying how he's humble and all that jazz when at the beginning it says the future of hip hop music and they are calling out other rappers at the end for being wack, well I guess you could expect as much on a rap record.

For You - My favourite song on the album. This song just has an awesome organ sample that makes me wanna bob my head every time I hear it and the lyrics on this song are just very clever and the chorus is berry berry catchy, hard to believe they are still underground with ish like this

The Way You Do It - The smooth flows move along with this track so nicely, even though it's laid back it exuberates a whole gang of energy. It has the drum and bass in the right spots and the groove is made by a soft piano and starts what sounds to be like steal drums which is very interesting and continues through with what sounds like a violin sample. The lyrics a especially tight to me on this joint, I like Phonte on the first verse the best with lines like "/an ill feeling that it brings about/to see n****'s mouthing your words and you ain't even got a single out/".

Those are just a few of the tracks this is a great buy for any fan of the previous Native Tonguish rap this is for you or if your just a fan album this is worth a look out, there are plenty more than just three tightass tracks but it would be too long to name them all the first half of the cd I find especially kold. Big Pooh & Phonte have great poetic lyrics with good delivery but the real star of this show is their producer 9th Wonder, he has some dope remixes of cuts from Common's "Like Water For Chocolate" album, check them out if you can for more view on his skill with the boards. Four star biggie, pick it up! peace, love and soul!

I cannot stress enough how EVERYONE needs to find and buy this album. The last time I was this excited about a new hip hop artist was when I first heard The Roots....and before that, A Tribe Called Quest! These cats have single-handedly restored my faith in hip hop. "The Listening" is hip hop in it's purest essence....an album for the head, no experimentation, nothing like that. There's a great place for that, but it's almost like cats are ashamed to be hip hop now.

Little Brother is 9th Wonder, Big Pooh, and Phonte. 9th Wonder is the producer/dj, and Big Pooh and Phonte are the MCs. They are both nice, but Phonte has top 5 potential! This is one of those "no skip" albums, where you can listen to the whole thing straight through. Standout tracks include their love song "Whatever You Say," their thank you to the fans "The Way You Do It," the prophetically sad "The Listening," and the bittersweet "Away from Me"

BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!

Is...you know, it is just so sad that so few people know they exist. It really is. Truth is, whoever has their albums, and listens to it as religiously as I do, needs to do all they can to share this with others.

And that's real. Because there are too few of us out there who walk the streets with a 9th Wonder beat in our heads. Or drive on the highway saying the same words Phonte and Big Pooh are tossing around like it's really no big deal (maybe it isn't).

For real, "Shorty on the Lookout", is one of those numbers that will have you walking around your job/school saying "Shorty Hit the Brakes Too Late!" out of nowhere. Or that same song can have your girl (or you) singing "Why, Do, You, Keep Me Hanging On A String???" And I haven't seen anybody mention the song "Home" on these posts. Any person who says they like music can't deny the vicious R&B nature of that track. And the last track, "The Listening"? That is a steak dinner that is so good that you can't stop talking about the mashed potatoes and greens they served with it. Every aspect of that cut, lyrics (they just hit home like nobody's business!), 9th Wonder does his usual, violently smooth production, and you have so many songs in one. And I know I haven't mentioned at least five other addictive tracks. Probably more than that. Definitely more than that.

Matter of fact, sorry about that, "Love Jones Revisited", and "So Fabulous". And others...

There's so much to listen to with these guys. Their lyrics will make you rewind. Their production will make you rewind. Their sense of humor will make you rewind. And they only get better with each album. You know, no big deal (maybe it isn't).

And there are a lot of us hip hop old heads out here who wish there was some hot s*&t out there that will make you bob your head to where your neck is sore for two days. People, it's still out there, and here it is! These guys played Nintendo just like we did, and appreciate real rap like we did back in the day. Now they have the means to show those of us who still appreciate it, that it can still exist.

So to all those people who are LB Addicts like me, do all you can to share this with others. They are truly something special, and need to be heard by the masses. Shorty Hit The Brakes Too Late!

It Is Me
Saw 'em Up Soundgarden, Fells Point, Bawdamore USA

An absolutely quality album which deserves to be played loud and often.

Great soulful beats and really, really nice rhymes. If you're bored of the usual gangsta poop then i urge you to get this album. 3 years old but still fresher than most stuff I've heard recently.

I would liken this album to making love. The first time round's pretty good but it gets better and better each time (apart from them drunken moments when your vision's gone and you're sick over the girl and it all gets messy, she asks you to leave and you bump into her dad on the way out and he asks you what you're doing there as he specifically told you never to come round again and to leave his daughter alone)

Anyway...it's great.
BUY IT.

Yo, when I read about this album in The Source, the comparisions to A Tribe Called Quest and Pete Rock drew my attention. This album is too hot to be slept on. Jay-Z picked 9th Wonder to be on his album for a reason. The two MCs hold more than there own on the mic as well. Hip-Hop needs for albums like this if our artform is to remain pure. I can't wait for Little Brother's next release whenever it comes out.

GET THIS ALBUM RIGHTNOW YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY, If I could give it more stars I would. This is what Hip-Hop music is suppose to be like. This is the most complete Hip-Hop album since the Blueprint. The North Carolina trio of Emcees Phonte and Big Pooh and producer 9th Wonder have created a CLASSIC in the same vein of Tribe's Midnight Marauders. There name is like a metaphor that's means there the Little Brother to Native Tongue and other true emcees. Big Pooh and Phonte spit crisp, pure rhymes throughout the LP. Especially on tracks like Speed, Whatever You Say, The Yo-Yo which got a Hip-Hop quotable in The Source a few months back. If you like A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, etc you'll Love this group. 9th Wonder is a great producer and he's gonna be mentioned with the best before it's all over with. I first heard of the group because 9th Wonder did a mix CD called 9th invented the remix, where his put his beats behinds the acapellas of Nas (2nd childhood), Ghostface ( I'll never be the same again) and more. 9th also remixed Nas' God's Son (God's Step-Son). This is a Clean-House album that can be played straight through skippin' no tracks, even the Roy Lee skit is bangin'. Again Thank you to Little Brother For giving me faith in Hip-Hop again and to Whiz for puttin' me on to the Listening.