Customer Reviews

We Mean Business

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

EPMD is a classic duo that has been rapping and creating good music for decades. Their latest release is nothing short of a very good release. The album does start a little slow. I liked raekwon's verse on PUTTIN IN WORK, but the song as a whole just didn't work for me. Same thing for WHAT YOU TALKING. The song didn't work for me and i am really not a big fan of Mobb Deep anymore. After that, the album bangs from track 3 to track 13! Awesome appearances by KRS-One, Method Man, Redman, and Keith Murray. Skyzoo's lame a$$ even had a decent verse in my opinion.. The production is dope and EPMD laid some good bars to go along with the beats. I would have to say it is neck and neck between RUN IT FT KRS and YO ft REDMAN as my favorites on the album. Highly recommended for new and old EPMD fans.

I've been waiting on this one since "BACK IN BUSINESS". EPMD is and has always been one of REAL hip-hop's best. If I had to rate hip-hop duo's since the beginning it would have to be RUN-DMC, EPMD and OUTKAST (in that order) The album is a breath of fresh air for hip-hop. Once I heard "BLOW" in knew the album would be vintage EPMD. With guest artists like KRS-ONE (Legend), REDMAN (Funk Doc) and KEITH MURRAY (Wordsmith), the formula stayed the same which in this case is a good thing. If it ain't broke don't fix it. If your a fan of ERICK and PARRISH or a fan of TRUE hip-hop, you won't be disappointed. Congrats on the new EP Record Label too.

EPMD hit the scene in 1988 with the classic Strictly Business and went on to craft a strong catalog. They wound up breaking up for a long time and there were folks like myself that thought they'd never get back together. Well, after several reunion attempts and a small hiatus, they return 20 years after their debut with an album that, by 2008 standards, is nothing short of solid material. "Blow" brings an energy that most vets in the game as long as Erick and Parrish couldn't recapture if they tried. "Run It" features a dope, dope verse from KRS-One [Side Note: I just love how KRS continues to bring heat lyrically after almost 30 years of doin' this. "Run It" showcases him over the type of production that he needs and is sorely lacking on his own albums, but that's another story...] Keith Murray shows up and drops a vintage verse that exhibits the style that had cats holdin' their head back in '95/'96. That was probably the biggest surprise for this listener. There are many other dope tracks, but these were by far the highlights for me.

Despite the lovely rhymes and funky production, a few lame ducks manage to make their way onto the album. Erick & Parrish stumble out of the gate with flat tracks like "Puttin' Work In" and "What You Talkin'". They probably should've been left on the cutting room floor since they were so hum drum and lacked a great deal of energy...and "Left 4 Dead" features a solid 9th Wonder beat that Skyzoo almost rendered lame with a wack verse. Outside of that, the album flows from track to track with no problem.

We Mean Business is a solid release from the veteran L.I. duo. It's not necessarily required listening, and there are some tracks that feel uninspired, but there are enough bangers here to make getting this album a good idea. I recommend checking it out.

Standout Tracks: They Tell Me feat. Keith Murray (My Favorite), Run It feat. KRS-One, Yo feat. Redman, Listen Up feat. Teddy Riley, and Blow

The beats are generally pretty good, while others are excellent. The lyrics are pretty hot as well. This is a good effort, and if you're a fan of Eric, Parish and EPMD, then I think you will be satisfied with this CD.

Some highlights from the CD include:
What You Talkin - Eric drops more names than an episode of Entertainment Tonight. Beats tight.
Roc-Da-Spot - An old school feel with a fresh and relevant beat. Eric and Parish shine lyrically on this track.
Blow - Good lyrics, good beat. But when "One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three Mississippi..." is your chorus, you need to spend a few more hours in the recording studio looking for a new hook.
Run It - Is that Poor Righteous Teachers I here in the piano sample? Good jam.
Yo - Features Redman. `Nuff said!
Listen Up - The reason I bought the album. Eric's lyrics were OK, Parish was very good. The beat is arguably the best EPMD beat ever. Period.
Jane - I've always hated Jane songs. They felt cheep. But I gotta say this one is the most serious and well constructed of the bunch. Best of all, it incorporates elements of the predecessors.

I find it amusing that the early East Coast pioneers EPMD would drop so many names in their latest CD. The first track has at least three references toWu-Tang Clan; then again, they did feature Raekwon in that song...

I've always considered Eric my favorite as a kid (who didn't?), but Parish is clearly the hungrier of the two on this CD, and he really changed my mind on him. Good CD.

It was half their lifetimes ago when the Long Island rap duo broke into the hip-hop scene, now 20 years later they return with their first album in 9 years. Like most of their albums, it is a very good one, and probably o a top 10 album of 2008 in my opinion. For the most part they still keep their nice funky sound that they came into the rap game with in the late 80's. With 13 songs, you get 1 classic, 1 almost classic, 1 ok song, the other 10 are good, with the majority being real good. Guests are on 8 of the 13 songs, so not as much form E-Dub and PMD as you'd have hoped for after waiting 9 yrs. Production is great as well, mostly handled by Erick Sermon (7 songs), Parrish Smith does 2, Ty Fyffe, JFK, DJ Honda, and 9th Wonder each do 1 song. A must have album from 2 of hi-hop's pioneers.

#1 - 9 (f/ Raekwon - nice beat)
#2 - 8.5 (f/ Havoc)
#3 - 9 (great funk beat from Sermon)
#4 - 9.5 (another great funky E-Dub beat)
#5 - 10 (CLASSIC --- f/ KRS-One - great beat)
#6 - 9 (f/ Redman - nice beat)
#7 - 8.5
#8 - 8.5
#9 - 8.5 (f/ Method Man - good beat)
#10 - 9 (another of the "Jane" series)
#11 - 7.5 (f/ Skyzoo)
#12 - 8.5 (f/ Keith Murray)
#13 - 8.5 (f/ Vic Damone & Tre)

ERICK SERMON -- Brentwood, Long Island, NY -- b. 11/25/68
PARRISH SMITH -- Long Island, NY -- b 1968

Check all my reviews

this most recent and newest album from the together again original twosome is classic EPMD music. there is nothing fake or frontin' about this group. they tell you how it is and to just deal with it. for some enjoyable and original hip-hop i would definately suggest this album as a purchase!!! no need to press skip or fast forward!!! thanks for your time.

I've long held EPMD in high esteem as one of hip hop's most essential if not uncelebrated acts, pioneering numerous sounds and conventions in the rap world over their careers spanning back to their groundbreaking 1988 debut Strictly Business. Over the course of two decades, the boys from Brentwood established an unblemished discography of strong LPs, solid solo careers, legitimate rap crews, and untold imitators of their rugged East Coast approach between a few breakups and side projects. Although their last album was 1999's Out of Business, rumors of a subsequent effort date back to 2003 but never materialized until late 2008. Longtime fans counted down to the release date, but the lack of fanfare around their latest release is sadly indicative of their status in the rap game over the last few years: not quite revered as the legends their careers have warranted yet struggling to maintain consistent mainstream success.

"We Mean Business" gives no nods to the cosmic, soulful sound of Erick Sermon's infamous Def Squad heyday or of PMD's grimy Hit Squad sound. In fact, judging solely by "We Mean Business," these eras might never have occurred. This LP picks up where any previous EPMD album left off with a sturdy, upbeat funk. The 13-track, 41-minute effort finds the duo sounding rejuvenated and hungry, exhibiting their famous chemistry with hardcore lyrics, clever references, and inimitable style over great beats. Sermon produces all but one song, mirroring recent work on Redman and Keith Murray LPs, and he and Parrish sound as angry and rough as ever. A list of very impressive guests adds another element of fun.

Granted, there's nothing innovative here, and it may sound a bit dated. But I'll tell you what, this goes HARD. And given that it's EPMD, the throwback sound is authentic because they were originators of the New York boom bap style. The furious opener "Puttin' Work In" is a frenetic anthem complete with dark strings, gunshots, and a verse from Raekwon. "Roc-Da-Spot," "Blow," and "Run It," with a superb KRS-One cameo, are vintage EPMD with funky beats and hardcore rhymes. Def Squad's in the house on the upbeat, Redman-assisted "Yo" and especially when Keith Murray lends a vicious verse to "They Tell Me." Another highlight is "Listen Up," where Sermon constructs an eerie beat reminiscent of Funkadelic and Teddy Riley does his best Zapp impersonation with a talkbox. Still my favorite song might be "Bac Stabbers," if not just for the soulful production. They even continue the "Jane" series on track 10.

EPMD may be struggling to find relevance in today's swiftly changing rap landscape, but "We Mean Business" is a strong throwback effort from some of rap's greatest and most important contributors. A concise and consistent listen, it goes hard and shines with strong production and performances. E-Double and PMD may be well into middle age but still impress just as they did in the 1980s. I recommend old fans definitely give this a few spins.

What else can you say tha dynamic duo is back and thank goodness. But you would never no because the radio industry will not let us hear this classic. EPMD is back and I hope this is not there last.

Some of my favorite rap songs growing up were by EPMD, and I was intrigued to hear they were coming out with a new album, their first in about 10 years. Rappers can get old very quickly; it's not easy for them to connect with younger audiences as they age. But I don't think this album is necessarily aimed at the younger audiences. People who enjoyed the older EPMD music will probably like this album as well.

I have two criticisms of this CD. First, I think it lacks that one great song, such as "You Gots to Chill," "So What Cha Sayin,'" and "Crossover" from their past albums. Most of the songs on here are good, and both rappers -- especially Parrish -- are still at the top of their game. But there's no truly memorable song here. My other problem is that there are a couple of songs -- "Roc-Da-Spot" and "Listen Up" -- that sound a little dated to me.

These are my favorite songs (not necessarily in order):
1. Run It
2. Bac Stabbers
3. Putten Work In
4. They Tell Me
5. Blow

There are other good songs as well, like the latest "Jane" entry. It's an album I'll put in and enjoy pretty much from start to finish, but I'm not sure I'll still be listening to it a few years from now. Simply put, it's good and worth getting for EPMD fans, but don't expect "Strictly Business."

A really good album, with only a few bad songs. Classic EPMD, delivering both good music AND quality. Much better than their last cd. Highly recommened!