Customer Reviews

Since Last Time

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The downfall of Arrested Development's popularity after their scathing 1992 debut "3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of..." has always puzzled me. Beat for beat, this collective's discography is straight quality. These guys got the hooks, the musical talent, the message, and the cohesiveness that make classic groups. "Since the Last Time" is the most gorgeous listen since their debut to this reviewer, and definitely one of the greatest releases of 2007.

As you may know, Arrested Development is also a live band. At one point consisting of 12 members. they incorporate keyboards, bass, guitar, mandolin, turntables, and plenty of beautiful backup vocals/choruses for one heck of a fun ride. As far as "hits" go, I'm hearing a ton of notable joints. Unfortunately for the masses, the radio will most likely never see them. There isn't a wasted track in the bunch. "Miracles" is one of the best singles of the year in my opinion. Dope beats & excellent wordplay and lyrics from Speech. "How Far Is Heaven" & "Sao Paulo" are beautiful numbers featuring a variety of brilliant instrumentation and exquisite female vocalizing. "Sunshine" is my favorite joint here, where Speech tells a sophisticated story about falling in love with a white girl. It boasts an addictive bouncy summertime beat and a hook that will have you drooling for more. "Stand" & "I Know I'm Bad" are excellent standouts as well. Nothing feels out of place here.

All and all, this is the record that got me exploring the rest of their career. I had the debut for a while, but recently bought "Zingalamaduni" & "Among the Trees" just to find those are also breathtaking records. But at the end of the day, I'm feeling the new one more. The exuberant amount of hooks and addictive material is on another level for 2007. Highly recommended.

one of my favourites hip hop bands from juniour school - tenessey and co. made my days! i was happily surprised that the guys are alive and rock again. very balanced album, most of tracks are worthy! their attitude, melodies and music are like sunshine these days!

R.D. is BACK! This album sounds amazing. Tracks, lyrics, melody, yes, from all aspects (Since the Last Time) is a must own. Oh, did I mention it's clean from tracks 1-12. True Hip Hop poetry! Track 5 (Sunshine) is something a lot of people need to give a listen. One word, meaningful. Buy it, Buy it, Buy it! Good job guys & BIG welcome back!

(these are my knee-jerk thoughts after one listen - a lengthier review will be on jambase.com in late December 2007)

From the first track, the album drips with a feel-good retro-70s beat that drives the rest of the disc. Vocalist Speech continues his politically-aware lyricism without resorting to outright preaching, lending the album the wisdom that arrives only with maturity. Since the Last Time may not have the chart-climbing hit that brought Three Years into public consciousness twelve years ago, but taken as a whole, the latest effort compares favorably from start to finish.

Speech and Arrested Development have aged remarkably well, and seem more determined not to save the world, but rather improve upon it slightly, one listener at a time. You don't have to be a fan of AD or of hip-hop to find the beauty in this release.

Next to the Roots no hip hop ers can integrate live instuments into their music like Arrested Development. It is not as if AD or speech had stopped making music, just that they lost confidence in Americans, which had an ear towards Gangsta rap. I guess it is also a credit to Japanese sense of good music they AD Sold well in Japan. I had to order this Album online, cause most major CD stores would not stock it on their shelves..

This album is well worth hearing and is very underrated. and they are clearly still inspired by the Sly & the Family Stone experience..... as well AD has inspired an entire slew of Southern style hip hop. Among the best songs on this album, check out song #4 Sao Paulo

With it's infectious hooks, stunning vocal quality and positive message, Arrested Development has shown once again that this genre of hip-hop is alive and well!
There's not a bad track on this CD. 'Since the Last Time' should not be missed.

Great Hip Hop is still out there, you just probably will not find it on the radio. This is where you will find it.

If you want to move to some fabulous sounds, with one of the most beautiful messages in Hip Hop, then buy this album. THESE FOLKS need to be supported by us, not the violent misogynistic thug bozos who are fed to us through mass media.

This is a real good mood album all the tracks have a certain energy about them. Speech is still spittin knowledge but not preaching. I am so glad I bought this album, the first 7 songs are monstas they are what really reeled me in. Tracks 8-10 are average in a good way but it seems like they are doing their best Outkast impersonation and the songs are out of place. Things pick back up at 11-12 so over half the album is bangin. Let's support good Hip Hop music, go buy this album. Hotep!!!