Megadef

Styles of Beyond, Toasters | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ill Boogie (Car469)
• ASIN: B0000B3FCJ
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,731 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From URB Magazine

It’s been over four years since L.A.’s ultra-modern duo Styles of Beyond shook rap’s subterranean sect with overloaded BPMs and stylish, hasty couplets. After disbanding and reforming, their second effort triumphs thanks to more accessible pacing and polished beatwork from the combo of Vin Skully and DJ Cheapshot. The notable producers relentlessly loop electric guitar riffs from the title track’s straightforward strums to heavily distorted axes penetrating "Be Your Dog." Known for lightning quick cuts, the precision crew rolls slow on "Pay Me," decrying how shiesty promoters anticipate free gigs. Glossy basslines populate another standout, "You Lose," where rhymers Tak and Ryu trade language with panache. Rocking retro, "Euro Arobics" delights with a deft resuscitation of electro-rap. With a revamped approach and sustained poetic passion, the crew’s undoubtedly still slammin’. Ryu succinctly describes their current state on "Live Enough (remix)": "We changed for the better and got back together."

Craig Smith

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DAMN, THEY'VE DONE IT AGAIN., October 14, 2003

By 

Joshua A. Taylor (Salt Lake City Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Megadef (Audio CD)

Now I am gonna explain why this album is rad. Now first off I bought 2000 fold the day it came out and I am a huge SOB fan. I love the feel of this new album, its fresh and stylish. I like that they just didnt do the same old stuff. Now all of you who think its a gangster attitude are wrong. Its not gangster, its angry, dont confuse gangster with angry. Gangsters talk about pimpin their hoes and drivin their cars, but SOB never talks about that stuff. The angry lyrics go with the guitar riffs and raw feel of this album. It feels a lot like Jedi Mind Tricks, who are far from gangster but have heavy angry raps. All yall who think they sold out need to go listen again and get your head straight about whats hip-hop and whats not.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Megadef is Freakin' AWESOME!!!, September 24, 2003

By 

Michael The Great! (Bloomfield, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Megadef (Audio CD)

I see a lot of people comparing Megadef with 2000 Fold and that's cool and stuff, but it's been 5 years since SOB has dropped anything. They are gonna change no matter what and in my personal opinion they changed for the better! I love all the beats - Flavor Crystals are awesome and the lyrics are still comparable to none. They outdid themselves!! Pick this record up!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bummed on it, September 16, 2006

By 

K. Petersen "Diggler" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Megadef (Audio CD)

Styles of beyond are one of my most played artists in my collection of music and one of my most favorite underground groups. I have been bumpin these guys for years and always get excited when I show them to my friends. Sadly, this album was not what i expected. What I hoped for was something similar to 2000 fold, amazing flows and original beats. There are 4 songs on this album that are listenable but not even worthy to the worst song on 2000 fold. Many of you are hating what im saying right now, but this is just my opinion. They brought on the start for my fantastic underground hip hop voyage to begin with and i owe it all to 2000 fold. But thats a different review. I hope their next album doesnt turn to hip-pop. But i will always love SOB no matter what.