Understanding [Clean]

Memphis Bleek | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 5, 2000)
• Original Release Date: December 5, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Clean
• Label: Roc-a-Fella
• ASIN: B00004YX2O
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #610,786 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars The Mis-Understanding (Rating 5 out of 10- -2.5 stars), October 22, 2006

By 

Chandler "Infamous" (Atlanta (College Park), Georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Understanding (Audio CD)

Question: When has Memphis Bleek delivered a top notch album? Maybe his recent "534" album, thats it. As of 2006, he's four albums deep and seems to haven't acquired the status of some [former] Roc-A-Fella artists (i.e. Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Kanye West, etc.) As being Jay-Z's close friend, Jay always says he's one hit away. But giving him the benefit of the doubt, I decided to check out this album for only one reason. The hit song "Is That Your (Chick)" with Jay-Z, Missy Eliott, and Twista. It's ironic because the song was origonally Jay's and was supposed to be on the "Vol. 3: Life And Times Of S. Carter" album, Bleek was just thrown in there...thats why it's subtitled "The Lost Verses".

Anyway there are many other songs on the album too that are below expectations. "We Get Low" is one of these tracks. "Bounce B****" will make you laugh, because of how horrible it sounds, along with the production. And "Everyday" with Carl Thomas, is a prime example of how wack Bleek is. And his good friend Jay-Z doesn't make anything better either on some tracks. "Do My" is one of those tracks that are below both Jay's and Bleek's expectations. But Jay, Beanie Sigel and H. Money Bags will outshine Bleek on the track "My Mind Right".

There are some good songs here thought that I have a feel for. "I Get High" is a laid back track about smoking weed while driving. Bleek and Beans will do a decent job on the song "Change Up" (I wouldn't credit Jay-Z on what he does though). "They'll Never Play Me" Bleek actually flips his word play and makes it a good song. The album's closer "In My Life" is a real good emotional track that I like very much.

As you can hear, Bleek can pull some tracks on his own on this album, but he fails to do on others. In most songs that he makes with a guest, he is outshined (see next album M.A.D.E.). I won't lie though, Bleek has had a somewhat successful career, because he stood in Jay-Z's shadow. Trust me, if he was on his own, he would have fallen off real fast, and would have never have made it to "534". I guess if you're a Bleek fan or want to hear one of his albums, go ahead and cop this. Otherwise, save your money.

Lyrics: C
Production: C+
Guest Appearances: B-
Musical Vibes: C-
Overall: C

Fav Tracks: I Get High, My Mind Right (Remix), They'll Never Play Me, Is That Your (Chick) [The Lost Verses], In My Life

Peace Everyone!

4.0 out of 5 stars Whut Is Tha Deal, May 12, 2003

By 

Da Prince Of Da Souf (Da Durty Souf) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding (Audio CD)

Whut's tha deal with everybody hating on my boy Memph Bleek??? I know a lot of cats down south never heard much of the album outside of Is That Yo Chick? (The Lost Verses) which isn't as good as the original to me but this album is the best he's put out so far and is better than Bean's sophmore offering The Reason. I guess there is still that playa hation towards the Roc-A-Fella family still going on which is bogus because they've got one of the strongest labels going. But this album could very easily been a classic if Bleek would have left a couple of tracks off and worked with another producer like Timbaland. But with cuts like Hustlers, All Types Of Sh*t, I Get High, Is That Yo Chick (The Lost Verses), They'll Never Play Me and I Got My Mind Right this is definitely one of the R-O-C's best albums. Holla!...