Customer Reviews

Xo Experience

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Liks - X.O. Experience (Columbia, 2001)

Since 2001 was such a bad year for hip-hop anyway, I shouldn't be surprised that this album didn't rock (or chart) like it should have. They even tried to cross over by hiring The Neptunes to produce "Best U Can", which comes off average. J-Ro still kicks things to make me smile, like, "you get a kick out of them like shoeboxes", or on the best track, "Da Da Da Da", where he says, "sometimes I'm hard to find like downtown parking spaces." But Tash let me down a little. Not to mention that the majority of the production is weak and some songs are just corny (like the Busta Rhymes song). They tried too hard to cross over when they should have just been themselves, hip-hop drunkies. -EJR

As I introduced my point of view in my title, it's still Tha Liks, but not their best. I think switching a new label (from Loud to Columbia) was not a good move for Tha Liks. I liked their previous two albums better than this one. I really think their "21 & over", "Coast II coast" and "Likwidation" albums are classic, but this ain't. This album can't be compared to the three others. This album contains only 3 or 4 good tracks, opposite to the other three. I still feel what they about, their beats and rhymes, but that's not that old Alki's flavor. I liked 'My dear' with the old Pharcyde sample, 'Bully foot' although I don't feel Busta, '40 Oz. quartet part II.' and that real party joint 'Best u can' produced by the Neptunes featured by Pharrell of NERD, but... "X.O. experience" ain't provides tracks like 'Next level', 'Daaam!', 'WLIKS' with LootPack, 'Only when I'm drunk', 'Mary Jane', 'Turn the party out', 'Feel the real', 'Hip hop drunkies' or 'Rockin' with the best'. No disrespect to Tha Liks but it's just a 3.5-star release. The only thing I didn't give them 3-stars is the fact that they represent real hip hop without that wacky gangsta-image. You feel? Now, to cut this long review short, I like Tha Liks but it's the same as when Jordan wore the jersey #45, he wasn't that M.J. who was in the real #23 jersey. You feel? So, Liks, just do what you wanna, I'ma buy anything from you 'cause you real, but give me that Tha Alkaholiks flavor again! Told: 3.5-stars.

Sometimes we don't want tp hear about how many people you killed but we don't want to think too much or heard mushy love ballads. Sometimes we just want to have a good time with out hearing a whack MC. Tha Liks bring good times to the forefront but also bring a lot of wit and skill. Long time darlings of the West Coast underground scene and part of the legendary Likwit Crew, they now make their bid for commercial success. Usually when underground acts make their move for success they lose fans because they have to give up a lot of their original flair in order to satisfy crowds and label heads. Though Tha Liks do polish their once minimal production sound, they still sound dope as funk. 9 of the 15 songs are handled by Alkaholik resident E-Swift, the rest is handled by Rockwilder, Dj Scratch, Thayod, The Neptunes & Dj Twinz. All that heat rounded out by the comic, dope lines of Tash, J-Ro and help from the rest of Likwit Crew, Busta Rhymes, Butch Cassidy, Pharrell Williams, and Kurupt. Now I'll tell you which joints are best to get your party started ...

Bar Code ft/ Xzibit ~ The first real track definitely gets the album crackalackin' with B-Boyish drunken rhymes and a chorus of anthem proportions. E-Swift is on the beat using echo filed horns and kool synth keys, choppy claps, and burpy effects. Usually I prefer Tash over J-Ro, and Xzibit over either but there is just something about Ro's first verse, check it:

"/I drink a lot of ale, smoke a lot of L's a day/
/Got kegs in my room and bales of hay/
/Twenty-five roaches piled in my ashtray/
/Some like it slow some live the fast way/
/All the ladies know I'm wild and nas-tay/
/I live the "Rap Life" like my nigga Tash say/
/I down the whole brew, never half way/
/I'm back and forth to the bar in the Likwid Cafe/"

L-I-K-S ~ E-Swift really steals the show on this track. He actually drops a formidable verse in between Tash & J-Ro that has solid wordplay of starting intervals of the verse with Tha Lik's initials (L,I,K,S) hence the name of the song. He comes doubly correct on the production end as well with some horn blasts that are guaranteed to get any head snapping their neck.

My Dear ft/ Defari ~ This is Tha Liks' song about the scandalous women they know. On the vocal side J. Mackin'Ro and Tash's verses are tight (especially Tash) but Defari is good just not outstanding. Swift comes with the thorough production heat again. Using a synth organ loop and bells it sounds like the Alkaholiks are seducing women at church (which adds a comical effect). The hook also pays homage to West Coast legends The Pharcyde, interpolating lines from their classic song "Passin' Me By".

Sickness ft/ Bucth Cassidy ~ Tha Liks employ West Coast crooner Butch Cassidy for the hook on this and the results are "sick". Tash & J-Ro come consistent again oozing with skill from the moment Tash opens his mouth to the end. Butch's voice has such a trippy quality that is perfect for this drunken flow. Rockwilder adds to your aural trip with many layers of wobbly keys and distorted horns.

Best U Can ft/ Pharrell Williams ~ Even though the Tunes bring a glossy industry standard programmed beat Tha Liks stay gutter with their rhymes. Pharrell wasn't billed on hooks at this time but he sounds kool as ever. It's pretty hard to decide who is tighter on this track Tash or J-Ro because both have such tight flows that stay on point with the beat. I chose J-Ro on this one for lines like these:

"/So they hop inside, the Cadillac/
/The chaffeur drove off, and it never came back/
/She say, "Ay daddy, do you like that?"/
/He say, "Yeah mami, just like that"/
/She say, "You know I never did this before"/
/He say, "Yeah, sure; tell me more"/
/Knock on wood grain, the whole hood sayin/
/you give good brains, I ain't playin/
/A little champagne, but no damn rain/
/And the next week it was the same damn thang/"

Tha Liks end up crafting a superb party album that should satisfy new pop friendly groupies and loyal Likwit fans alike. The only problem is after a point on "Best U Can" they fall off their peak slightly. The songs aren't bad they just aren't as memorable as the ones before. If your looking for music to play at a party or in your car or work out to or even to get you amped before the big game. Can't wait til they return to hit the world with some more of that left coast flavour. 4 stars, definite safe choice for a purchase. Peace, love and soul...

They may have a new name, but their sound remains the same as before. Mixed with club-friendly beats and laid back drunken-style, the Liks have crafted the perfect party CD. Tracks like "Run Wild" (possibly the best track on the CD, certainly the most fun to listen to), "Sickness" (with Butch Cassidy providing some very tight vocals on he hook), and the Neptunes-produced "Best U Can" showcase The Liks' party appeal, while head-nodders like "Bully Foot" (with Busta Rhymes) and "Another Round" create a more relaxed vibe for the listener. The Liks also get outside help from artists like fellow Likwit-Crewmember Defari ("My Dear") and Kurupt (the cleverly-titled "Promote Violins"). Of course, Xzibit holds it down on his two tracks, "Bar Code" and "151". The only way this Cd differs from their last releases is the instruments, varying from violins ("Promote Violins"), trumpets ("L-I-K-S"), and even 40 ounce bottles ("40 oz. Quartet" skits). The thing you shouldn't expect to find is deep lyrics or dark productions (go grab Mobb Deep). However, copping "X.O. Experience" could be the best refreshment for this summer's heat. If you like "X.O. Experience", check out: "Xzibit - Restless", "Alkaholiks - Likwidation", "Kurupt - Space Boogie", "Eastsidaz - Ducez & Trayz"

Just like reviewer "worldsend" said, I remember hearing Tha Liks for the first time on a track called "I Got It Bad Y'all" off of King Tee's "Tha Triflin' Album" CD and ever since then I knew that Tha Liks would be around for awhile. Their first CD, "21 And Over" is a definite classic. For some reason, though Tha Liks can never get the sales and publicity that they deserve. Everyone that knows Tha Liks are familiar with their classic songs, "Likwit", "Only When I'm Drunk", "Last Call", "Make Room", "DAAM!", "Next Level" and their song with ODB, "Hip Hop Drunkies". "Coast II Coast", "Likwidation", and Tash's solo Cd, "Rap Life" are tight CDs as well. With their 4th CD, "XO Experience", Tha Liks stick with basically the same formula. Tash, J Ro and E Swift are their usual self mixing their skills and party rhymes over tight beats, produced mostly by E Swift. The first single "Best U Can", is laced by the hottest producers of right now, The Neptunes. Tash and J Ro definitely take control of the track and The Neptunes beat is perfect for them. Hopefully, they will produce future Liks tracks as well. Tha Liks definitely have produced a certified hit with the E Swift banger, "Open Bar", featuring Xzibit. Just imagine if Xzibit was actually in the group. This track should definitely silence the critics that actually think that Tha Liks and Xzibit have beef of any kind. Other hits on this CD include the DJ Scratch produced "Billy Foot" w/Busta Rhymes, "My Dear" w/Defari where they borrow a snippet from The Pharcyde's "Passing Me By", "Another Round", "The Bubble" featuring King Tee and "151" w/Xzibit. If you are a Liks fan this is a must buy for you. Maybe Tha Liks will start getting a little bit of just due with "XO Experience". Since this is their fourth album, they definitely have the right to be Madd Rappers, because they never get the respect they deserve.

Tha liks (formerly Tha Alkaholiks) return to the hip-hop scene on their album "X.O. Experience". These three MC's E-Swift, Tash & J-Ro drop fire all over this album, with entertaining and innovative lyrics that flow perfectly with the dope beats all over the CD. Buy this album now, listen to it like crazy over and over, because this is a sure fire classic in just a few years.

From back in the day, around 92-93 the Alkaholiks appeared with King Tee on the album called Triflin with a song called "I got it bad ya'll" where E-Swift and J-Row traded dope verses with King Tee. Every since then, the Liks(KaTASHrophe,E-swift and J-Ro) have been one of my Favorite groups, I love there music to this day. The Liks have always Represent from the drunks and the West Coast without the violence and the so called "G" attitude. With all time cuts like Last CAll,Make Room, Mary Jane from the 21 and over Lp(1993)that introduced Threat and Tha Lootpack; DAAM, Read my lips, Hit and Run which introduced Xzibit from the Coast II Coast Lp(1995); Feel the Real,Hip hop Drunkies, off the wall, Torn down,rockin with the best that introduced Phil Da Agony from the Liqwidation album (1997). Also appearances on Xzibit's albums, Defari's album and Tash's solo album. Now 2001 we have X.O. Expierence with the hit "Best you can" with Neptune productions and a shorten name Tha Liks. But the flavor is still the same. Hip hop flow, jokes and tight lyrics keep them afloat. Bar Code featuring Xzibit,Run Wild is tight song with Shae Fiol, My dear featuring Defari, Bully Foot featuring Busta Rhymes and other tracks. The Liks prove over and over why they are in the game. If you like Xzibit's overrated album, you will love this. I would have like to see Ras Kass on a track. Cop this Right now. One.

From back in the day, around 92-93 the Alkaholiks appeared with King Tee on the album called Triflin with a song called "I got it bad ya'll" where E-Swift and J-Row traded dope verses with King Tee. Every since then, the Liks(KaTASHrophe,E-swift and J-Ro) have been one of my Favorite groups, I love there music to this day. The Liks have always Represent from the drunks and the West Coast without the violence and the so called "G" attitude. With all time cuts like Last CAll,Make Room, Mary Jane from the 21 and over Lp(1993)that introduced Threat and Tha Lootpack; DAAM, Read my lips, Hit and Run which introduced Xzibit from the Coast II Coast Lp(1995); Feel the Real,Hip hop Drunkies, off the wall, Torn down,rockin with the best that introduced Phil Da Agony from the Liqwidation album (1997). Also appearances on Xzibit's albums, Defari's album and Tash's solo album. Now 2001 we have X.O. Expierence with the hit "Best you can" with Neptune productions and a shorten name Tha Liks. But the flavor is still the same. Hip hop flow, jokes and tight lyrics keep them afloat. Bar Code featuring Xzibit,Run Wild is tight song with Shae Fiol, My dear featuring Defari, Bully Foot featuring Busta Rhymes and other tracks. The Liks prove over and over why they are in the game. If you like Xzibit's ...album, you will love this. I would have like to see Ras Kass on a track. Cop this Right now. One.

As much of a fan I claim to be of this group, I gotten into them around early 2002. I was a high school sophomore at home listening to the Music Choice Channel when I heard "Run Wild" come on. When that song was finished, I imediately left my house and walked to the store to buy this album. Judging by this and all the others I've heard, this was Tha (Alkaho)Liks first shot at mainstream as a group, especially with their first single "Best U Can" produced by The Neptunes. The results: Mixed feedback from hardcore fans of this group. This was my first album, so I really had no say on whether it was good or bad.

Besides the two tracks that I named out, the second track "Bar Code" featuring Xzibit (who I hoped kissed and made up with this group) is another slammin track. On this album, this trio was doing three things: making party music, like "L-I-K-S" and "Sickness" are some of those tracks; and showing off their lyrical skills like they've done on previous albums like on "Promote Violins" featuring Kurupt, and "The Bubble" featuring King T.; and being humorous on "40 Oz Quartet".

There aren't many things I can be mad about this album. Some of the guests like Busta Rhymes and Defari do absolutely nothing on the tracks they appear on. Also "Da Da Da Da" is a track with little replay value.

Other than that, this album is highly recommended if you ever go to a house party and want something to listen to. Some people say this is Tha Liks' best album. I believe that "Likwidation" is their best if you ask me. But I highly recommend that you get all their albums (heck "Firewater" was a little dissapointing, but still recommended), if you like hip hop with style. This album was a 16 year old high school kid's soundtrack to getting drunk.

Lyrics: A-

Production: A-

Guest Appearances: B

Musical Vibes: A-

Overall: A-

Favorite Tracks: Bar Code, Run Wild, L-I-K-S, Sickness, Best U Can, The Bubble, 151, Promote Violins

Honorable Mention: 40 Oz Quartet

Peace!

I had never heard of these guys until a couple of years ago in 2002 when I was at the record store and I picked this up. I wasnt sure what to expect but when I popped this in I was litterally blown sky high. This is reppin the west coast underground to the fullest this has a similar style to the LIVING LEGENDS but in my opinion is much better. There are a few corny tracks and some might think they have slipped by enlisting that WACK no talent PHARRELL on a couple of tracks but this is a great CD.