Customer Reviews

No Man's Land

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

 

 

People and critics too often tend to judge sophomore albums in comparison to their first releases. This is simply an unfair and ignorant approach. Each album should be judged for what it is...an album, reflecting the artist(s) at that time.

Cast in the shadow of a groundbreaking debut LP; No Man's Land, Souls of Mischief's (A-Plus, Opio, Phesto & Tajai) sophomore LP is everything a follow-up album should be. It's creative, lyrically brilliant and the beats are incredible. Most importantly, SOM didn't try to fashion "No Man's Land" after the much celebrated "93 'til Infinity." 2 years later ('95), SOM has matured and marinated in supreme success of their debut, and they've shown that they've improved themselves.

The vibe of this album as a whole is much darker and serious than "93", while SOM still manages to stun everyone with their creativity and talent. They get even more props on the fact that they've managed to do it a second time. Every track is sick, and if you don't feel it at first, it grows on you in no time.
As an entire album, it's not as good as "93", but this LP does contain my three favorite Souls tracks ever:
"Ya Don't Stop" (track #11), amazing beat and rediculous rhyming. This track is "No Man's Land"'s "93 'til Infinity" (single) equivalent.
"Freshdopedope" (#5), one of the best dark beats I've ever heard. The dirty rhymes over the beat is hypnotic.
"Time's Ain't Fair" (#16), my favorite SOM track. A feel good track...just listen.

Production is kept in the family, with A-Plus and Opio taking most of the credit. Other producers include, Del, Jay-Biz, Toure, Casual & Snupe of Extra Prolific. Guest Appearances by Del, Pep Love and Snupe.

Bottom Line: Mad props to SOM, they've done it again. If you've heard bad things - don't believe the ignorant, this album is amazing. 4.5 stars. Peace.

I admit this album grew on me. It wasn't my favourite at first, because it isn't as likable right off the bat as say "93 til infinity". However those who choose to front on this album are missing out on a souls crew that has matured and changed since 1993.

When I first heard this album, I was somewhat dissapointed, because their debut and all other Hiero affiliated releases up until now were great. After a few listens however, I found that this album wasn't as bad as I thought (or as bad as numerous critics say). It does have low points: numerous songs containing unspectacular rhymes, as well as occasionally rhyming about drugs and guns (subjects which Hiero used to leave alone) and some songs could have benefieted from better production. On the other hand, it has high points as well. Production and rhymes compliment each other on such tracks as the breezy "Times Ain't Fair", the freestyle-o-rama "Freshdope", the hard edged feel "Come Anew" and "Bumps**t", or the syrupy ( but maybe too R&B-ish for some) "Ya Don't Stop". All in all, this album may not be as hot as their debut, but it's still a good listen. In fact when compared to many junky hip-hop albums that are released nowadays, Souls Of Mischief are ahead of their competators.

I think something was up here, so follow me. I almost think this lp was a dive to get dropped by their label(Jive). I don't know the ends and outs of the music industry but after fellow hiero members had lackluster support on their lp's it was almost like souls said hell with it and put out some crap. I think Jive has screwed alot of people. I come to this conclusion and blame them for A Tribe Called Quest's break up. This lp is alright but I was expecting the moon and the stars after 93 til dropped.

After hearing everybody completely bury this CD, I was expecting an abomination. But I was surprised. It's definitely no '93 'til Infinity - the beats and rhymes aren't as nice. And A-Plus has taken a downhill dive. He was my favourite on '93 'til, but now his rhymes are really weak. Phesto's improved and is now clearly the best lyricist, but I don't like his new style. He has some odd enunciation habits that vex me. But yeah... It's a solid CD. Expect another '93 'til and you're bound to be disappointed. I've only ever known Tribe and OutKast to actually improve on a classic debut. A word of warning though- Don't listen to track 2 - 'No Man's Land'. The jazzy saxophone loop is one of the most addictive I've ever heard. I can't get it out of my head.

"if you didn't list this as your favorite you simply didn't listen CLOSELY"
tajai - 8) do you want it. after revisting this cd 8 years after its release I truely understand the genius and lyricism behind it. this cd suffers the same as nas' - it was written and das efx's straight up sewaside. these albums all followed CLASSIC material the same as No Man's Land following 93' Til Infinity and therefore were written off as being subpar albums. After relistening with a maturer mind and amongst the crisis of quality product in Hiphop I truely appreciate what this album contributed to the movement. . . .ADD this album to your collection "its a no brainer". i'm afraid if we don't archive these albums in our collection our youth/children won't know what (art) real Hiphop and mc'ing is - ...

Despite what a lot of fans have said about this album, I believe it was great follow up to '93 Til Infinity. A lot fans have said that this was SOM's way getting off the majors but the truth was recently revealed in an interview by group member Opio. He says that Jive wanted to market them as a pop boy-band type rap group but they wanted to be more aggressive and cutting edge, they didn't comprise so Jive dropped them.

It seems like a lot of reviewers think that the Hieroglyphics can do no wrong on some tracks, by trying to judge this on it's own merit or saying it's better than '93 Till Infinity. I myself decided to listen to this album, and beg to differ with the reviews here.

No Man's Land is a nice album is a "freshdopedope" album most of the time. For the most part, the production is like most 90's Hiero albums, funky jazzy loops. Also for the majority, S.O.M. members stay on track with their rhymes. The track "No Man's Land" and "Freshdopedope" are some prime examples of the excellence that they come on the album.

Some Hiero members come to join the Soul's on some tracks. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien makes a notable appearance on the track "'94 Via Satellite", and Pep Love rhymes on a track by himself on "Yeah It Was You".

Unfortunately this album flaws in some ways. Tracks like "Where The F*** You At?" and "Rock It Like That" are easily forgetable. Also, the production saves a lot of tracks from being medicore. With the production that sounds a little deeper than their first album, it comes off quite well that a lot of listeners don't hear some of the lyrics that Soul's say. Also I think that the skits were pointless in some ways.

Overall, production would play a huge part of this album. Otherwise it would be medicore at some points. Lyrically
S.O.M. are decent on some tracks and good on others. What I think is that one member, say Phesto would shine and Opio would come off weak on something like "Fa Sho Fo Real" but then Opio would go strong and Phesto get weak on "Times Ain't Fair". Many tracks, there is this type of consistancy (along with Tajai and A+ in the mix). Other than that, this album is decent for the most parts. Many Hiero fans didn't like this album, but I think that it has it's strong points and some weak points. Give it a listen and check it out and judge for yourself. I recommend this to many Hiero fans, if they don't own this already.

Lyrics: B-
Production: B+
Musical Vibes: B
Overall: B-

Favorite Tracks: Freshdopedope, '94 Via Satellite, Fa Sho Fo Real, Times Ain't Fair, Do You Want It?, Secret Service

Also, the track "Cab Fare" was a demo for this album that was cut when it was released. It may be on a Hiero Oldies album.

LOL HAHAHA. Naw,i'm serious on this. Can any of y'all tell that the quality of THIS album compared to '93 til infinity' sounds A LOT more 1980's. I mean.......the quality on 'No man's land' is TERRRIBLE. Not the say that the album isn't tight.....it's just that the production and quality sounds outdated...u know? Yo, i actually bought this album when it was released but i was suprised that the quality didn't sound anything close to albums released by das efx, AZ, or Onyx in 1995 (the same year as SOM). This cd is actually pretty tight but you absolutely MUST have an open mind if you're a TRUE hip hop enthusiast. Straight up n' down yo. If y'all some hiero fans i definately suggest u pick this one up. But I just wanted to point out that this album sounds a LOT older than 93 til infinity ever will. I think they shoulda released this one first. What do y'all think?? well anywayz...check y'all on tha flipside. Peacey Weasey.

i like it more than 93' til infinity. Everybody wants it only one crew got it...