Customer Reviews

To Tha X-Treme

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

BOOM! This album from Devin the Dude packs a punch! A comedic, emotional, and down-to-earth punch, that is. If you don't know too much about Devin, he is overlooked, underrated, and way talented. He's not really just a mere rapper. He sings just as often as he flows, and even when he's rhyming, it sounds kind of like singing. Devin most likely got noticed 10+ years ago because he could sing hooks so well, as he appeared on a track with his mentor Scarface along with Ice Cube. Devin garners respect from everyone ranging from De La Soul, Nas, and The Roots to Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, and R. Kelly.
Okay, Devin's whole game is talking about women, sex, and weed 90% of the time, especially weed. But wait, hear me out! First of all, Devin doesn't talk about this stuff to flaunt himself and try to justify how cool he is. It's just his thing, he likes to have a good time. He doesn't seem the type to try and get others to start smoking and passing that off as the cool thing. Plus, while Devin describes these tales of what's considered morally unacceptable(and he acknowledges this), he usually includes numerous tracks where he trys to make sense of it all and make sense out of life. He is multi-dimensional. He had a few memorable songs of this sort on his last album("Just Tryin' Ta Live") like "Doobie Ashtray," "Just A Man," "Tough Love," and especially the song "Just Tryin' Ta Live," which is incredibly deep.
"To Tha X-Treme" has Devin using the same winning formula, but it feels totally different than his last album. Personally, I prefer his more conscious tracks, but the others definitely keep things interesting and amusing. People can turn to Devin and listen to his music and prefer different aspects of it. "Briar Patch" showcases his artistic merit, as does "Right Now," in a way I've never heard before. "Anythang" is hopeful and is completely sung throughout. When Devin sings, it's not like Nelly or Ja Rule or even Mos Def singing. It never comes off as forced as he can switch between singing and rapping so natuarally. Ten seconds into the last track("Unity") I had a feeling it would be seriously insightful and moving just like the last track on his last album. My anticipation was confirmed, "Unity" is an awesome song that ends the album on such a great note. This song talks about bettering yourself and stepping outside your comfort zone to acquaint yourself with someone of a different culture and learn about them. This is undoubtedly the best track of the album, possibly of his career. It becomes the new anthem for those of us who are trying to improve our lives and 'unite' as a culture and society. If "Unity" were to catch attention on the radio(I doubt it will!), it would quickly change the type of rap being played and possibly change many opinions of those who hate rap entirely! The best songs on this album are "Unity," "Briar Patch," "Right Now," "Anythang," and "Kooter Brown"(not sure why it's called that). Honorable mention goes to the title track, "She's Gone," "The Funk," and "Too Cute."
The production here is quite different and very interesting, unlike the last album which got just plain boring at a couple of points. Soft guitar backgrounds are used subtlely on MANY of the tracks. The music behind Devin is consistently melodic, mellow(just like Devin), and funky. The album is quite long and I will admit it kind of drags at times. Some songs go on way too long like the title track and "Go Fight Some Other Crime." I do enjoy how Devin pretty much carried this one by himself the whole way. We get a chance to peep further into that mind and world of his. The only real change of pace is "Party"(ft. KB and Man Child) which is more upbeat and done in the spirit of "Rapper's Delight," although it started out well, it gets much too raunchy and obscene(and you can't really blame Devin for this). The title track he proclaims that getting high is his enjoyment in life, and it may not be ours, but we should all find something in life that lets us enjoy life '2 tha xtreme!' I really enjoy listening to the Dude, although he smokes weed and talks about it a lot, I really can't hate him for it. I extremely despise the drug and those who do it and think it's cool. However, while I still loathe the use of weed, people like Devin remind me that I shouldn't judge potheads negatively simply because of that choice. Devin nearly gives potheads a good name in my book.
Although Devin is primarily concerned with weed, girls, sex(three of the few limited mainstream topics), listen to him and it will sound like every pop-rapper out there is copying Devin when it comes to these subjects and trying to make a fad out of it. Devin's not trying to start trends, obviously, not enough people have heard of him yet in the first place. He's the only artist I would turn to if I wanted to bug out and hear real and hilarious tales of pot smoking and sexual encounters! Just when you think he's said enough about these topics, he comes in with a sincere conscious track about life in general. He's got a lot to offer to the ear and mind, and it's always mellow and down-to-earth. This album is where he REALLY takes into account what others think of his lifestyle. "Just Tryin' Ta Live" was a very good album, but "2 Tha X-Treme" might be even better, especially thanks to the production and focus of the lyrics. If you love underground Hiphop like I do, this may not be what you usually like to hear but you will like it, I promise! Another great REAL Hiphop release in 2004!

Devin is at it again folks. His 3rd album and it just keeps on getting better and better. Check out the tracks "Anything" and "Too Cute" they are definite hits! I would recommend this album to anyone that loves that down south music.

This new devin cd has blown me away. I have his first two cd's, and they are off da chains as well. I was kinda skeptical that this cd would be any good. Never again will I doubt Devin, and his skillz. If anything you can just listen to track number 2 and call it a day. That track alone is worth getting the cd!! Besides that here are my fav songs so far:
Cooter Brown
Right Now
Too Cute
Dont Go

the whole cd is basically tight, I'm just having a hard time getting past these particular songs. This cd is a must have. It has a little something for everyone.

What's the deal? This is the best CD on the market. This is a CD you can ride to and just lay back with fellows. All of his CDs are the best. This one top the cake though because this is some south music. If you don't buy this, you are missing out on the real deal. This CD is worth your money and also pennies.

This album is just chill one of the best at his best.One of the best discs to come out this year.Go get this one its worth every penny.

Devin is from H-town and so am I. This aint no crunk bling bling gangster rap. This is for grown folks mellowed out to the max. Devin basically talks about weed and women. When I say that he raps about weed no one out there right now has songs as good as he does when it comes that subject. He comes off as just an every day guy in the hood just trying to make it. If you have his other CD's you know what I'm talking about he just picks up where he left off from. If you have never listened to Devin he has a kind of unique way of rapping. It's almost likes he's talking but it has melody. He sings allot on the album too. I'm telling you this is the new Nate Dog. I pick up the Roots new CD today Tipping point and he does a hook on one of there tracks. SO if the Roots put him down you know he got some flavor. This is must buy to add to your collection if you want some real life hip hop that is smooth as hell. You aint chilling until you chill to a Devin the dude record.

TAKIN IT TO THA EXTREEEEEEME. This is what hip hop should be about. Lighthearted lyrics about smoking and drinking, getting with ladies, and straight chillin. This is the first I've heard from Devin since his amazing debut album "The Dude" (a must have for hip hop lovers). The beats are extremely crisp, especially the title track. There are some breaks from Devin's usual style, with the laid-back "Briarpatch," and the beautiful slow jamming "Anythang" offering the listener a more mellow and thoughtful approach. But the combination of those melodic jams and the funky hard-hitting hip hop beats which traditional fans of Devin will no doubt expect makes this album an X-tremely satisfying hip hop album. Plus many of his lyrics will have you rolling on the floor with laughter, which I think is a great break from all these wannabe-gangster "I'm too hard to be funny" rappers on the radio these days.

Too many great cuts on this album for it to get anything less than 4 stars. I mean, tracks like "Too Cute", "To Tha X-Treme", "Go Fight Some Other Crime", "Devin's Medley", "Briarpatch", and "Right Now" bring this album up to 4 stars all by themselves. He even sprinkled in a few topics out side of blunts and women like police harrasment and heartbreak amongst other things. Devin's down to earth, humurous lyrics and laid back, everyman aura is virtually impossible not to love....especially when he's supplied with dope production. Once he gets that combination going, he's practically addictive and hard to turn away from.

There aren't any wack tracks or lyrics, but there are a few cuts that just didn't grab this listener. "What?" was great lyrically, but the production simply had no affect on me. Honestly, that's the only track that I would label as skip material. The rest of the album is great.

To That X-Treme is one of those albums that has a vibe that's all but impossible to recreate. It's also one of those albums that only Devin can make; no one else could possibly come off this smooth over these beats. Easily one of 2004's best albums (and top 5 on my best rap albums of 2004 listmania list), I recommend making this album a collection piece. You can thank me later.

Standout Tracks: To Tha X-Treme, Anythang, Too Cute feat. Erica Marion (My Favorite), She Was Gone, Go Fight Some Other Crime, Right Now, Devin's Medley, Tha Funk feat. Eightball, and Briarpatch

The Devinition of Cool; no, I didn't mispell that. Devin is the most laid-back, chilled out, mellow individual you'll ever run across in the game. He doesn't have an incredibly large range of subject matter, but what he does rap about, he manages to do better than 95% of emcees who tried before him. And, despite being such a calm character, he does manage to get deeper than the average rapper; his philosophies on life are truly worth listening to, as he never chooses side in the arguement of what's right, and what's wrong. He simply watches, lights up some Buddha, observes, and gives us his report.

He may be one greened-up dude, but he doesn't justify this hobby as right. Devin doesn't tell his listeners to 'spark some up' like so many other emcees; instead, he'd rather you give you a musical high, while he is under the influence of marijuana. It's almost like his high wears off on you through your music; because as you listen to this album, all of the struggles in your life dissapear, and you're taken to a carefree realm, where your mind is at the greatest stage of clarity.

It sounds so deep, and it is; however, this is not Killah Priest knowledge that Devin's dropping. Devin's just your average man, with the only difference being that he is able to tap into his mind, as well as his conscience, and pour his mellow little heart out all over his music. Devin is proof that the simplest things in life are truly the most complex; and explaining the unique vibes Devin gives you with his music would take far too long for this review.

So, how do I sum up Devin? He's dope as hell. Fly beats, littered with even flyer rhymes. Devin never turns in a weak performance; the beat may fail him, but he will never dissapoint on the microphone. Every track on this album is as dope as the next. It's impossible to deny Devin of the props he deserves; pick this up if you enjoy good music. End of story.

The 2nd track on this album alone makes this one worthy of pickin it up. The rest of the album is good too but I can't get off track 2 yet! I did manage to listen to the whole album and the funky, chilled out cool feeling through out the whole album makes for great drivin music...