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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Piece Of Hip Hop Excellence (4.5 Stars), February 28, 2006
After dropping 2 great albums, I can honestly say I didn't expect the Cunninlynguists to step their game up like this for their 3rd offering. 'A Piece Of Strange' is their first full length album since 2003's 'Southernunderground', which was followed by two volumes of 'Sloppy Seconds', both worthwhile offerings with some great standout tracks (including one of 2005's best tracks, 'Fear', off of Vol.2).
On this album, Kno tried to perfect his production, and as a result he almost gave up rapping alltogether. He only drops one verse the entire album (on the track 'Brain Cell), and it sort of makes you wish he would have taken the time to drop a couple more verses. But then you realize how much Kno has upped his production game for this release. 'Remember Me (Abstract Vs. Reality)' is probably the best example of this. As the only full legnth instrumental track on the album, Kno provides the listener with a beautiful piece of music, and as an INSTRUMENTAL this is one of the best songs on the album. That might be a first for me, when it comes to hip hop albums, as instrumental tracks are usually filler, or nowhere near the level of this song. On 'A Piece Of Strange', the beats are incredible. You can really tell Kno took his time perfecting this album.
The album is DEFINATELY on point lyrically. While I don't think Deacon & Natti are, or will ever be ELITE lyricists in the game, they're more than exceptional, especially when it comes to southern rap. Tracks like 'Hourglass', 'Caved In', 'Nothing To Give', 'Since When' & 'America Loves Gangsters' showcase their lyrical abilities the best, and are also some of the best overall songs on the album.
Ultimately, this is just an extremely dope album, and one of the best southern rap releases in YEARS. The lyrics, the production, the feel...Everything here was executed perfectly, and I would say this might just be the Cunninlynuists' best album so far (although 'Will Rap For Food' & 'Southernunderground' were both great, too), and they're quickly making their way into Hip Hop's elite groups.
Top 5 Songs (In Order):
1. The Gates (Featuring Tonedeff) - Just a GREAT song. Incredible piece of music with Tonedeff dropping one of his best songs.
2. Hourglass - Love the production here...Deacon & Natti also drop some great verses.
3. Hellfire - Great high energy song, and actually the only one on the CD.
4. Caved In (Featuring Cee-Lo) - The amazing Cee Lo provides the hook to an overall dope track.
5. Nothing To Give - One of the best beats and one of the best tracks lyrically.
Worst Track:
None. There isn't a song on this album I can classify as 'the worst'. All of them are great, and worth listening to.
Lyrics/Substance/Subject Matter - 9/10
Flow/Delivery - 9/10
Production - 10/10
Overall Feel - 9.5/10
Guest Apperances - Cee-Lo, Tim Means, Immortal Technique, Tonedeff & Club Dub - 9/10 - Tonedeff, on basically a solo song, produces one of the best lyrical performances of the album, and Cee Lo & Immortal Tech. really help this album succeed.
Overall Rating - 9/10 - The (very) early frontrunner for album of the year of 06, and HIGHLY reccomended to any hip hop fan.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic CD by the Cunninlynguists that should be in everyone's collection, February 27, 2007
"A Piece of Strange" by the Cunninlynguists is their fourth LP and can be acknowledged as their best album to date from the Southern underground rap group in Kentucky. The group includes rappers Deacon the Villain (also a producer of some albums) and Natti, the newest member of the crew. The distinguished producer of the album is DJ Kno. They are very prolific; they have produced 2 LP's, two mixtapes, and remix CD's since 2001's classic LP "Will Rap for Food". APOS is truly a different, while still amazing, project by the Cunninlynguists. The beats in most of the tracks are very somber and soulful, while the lyrics contain a lot of religious overtones and powerful metaphors. What makes the CD more interesting is that the lyricists, including the featured artists, portray themselves as characters in a story of deceit, forgiveness, and desire. This drama, which fits seamlessly with the dark mood of the beats, adds to the magnificence of the album. The moving vibe and lyrics in APOS make it album that will be played in your CD or MP3 player for years.
1. Where Will You Be? -This short overture sets of the gloomy mood of the CD. (5/5)
2. Since When - The beat and lyrics make this track a good grand opening for the lyricists of the CD. (5/5)
3. Nothing to Give - A very dark track that lets you know what goes on at night in Deacon and Natti's surrounding. This one of the most notable tracks because of the dark piano beat in the background and ill lyrics. (5/5)
4. Caved In Cee-lo's (Gnarls Barkley) voice adds to a pretty good track. (4/5)
5. Hourglass - This is definitely my favorite track. The beat is magnificent. Deacon proclaims in the track the things he is trying to find in life. (5/5)
6. Beautiful Girl - This is the most upbeat track in the entire CD. On this track, Deacon is not really referring to a "beautiful girl", but marijuana. (5/5)
7. Inhale - A brief interlude yet, but is pretty boring. (3/5)
8. America Loves Gangsters - Lyrically, this is one of the best tracks on the cd. (5/5)
9. Brain Cell - This track has a lot to do with the plot of the CD, but I feel it is the worst track on the cd because it is not that interesting. (3/5)
10. Never Know Why - Cunninlynguists, - Another notable track on the CD that features a amazing beat and well-thought lyrics (5/5)
11. Gates - Cunninlynguists, Tonedeff - My second favorite track on the CD. The plot comes to its climax as a lead character (Tonedeff) of the drama stands at the gates of heaven, wanting to enter, but Deacon ( St. Joseph) denies his request. (5/5)
12. Damnation You have to love this long interlude. It captures a spiritual and soulful atmosphere (5/5)
13. Hellfire - The powerful and humorous metaphorical lyrics add to brilliance of this track which features a great beat. (5/5)
14. What'll You Do? - Here again Deacon examines his life and tells of his struggles with love. Kno also makes a great beat that is similar to Nothing to Give (5/5)
15. The Light - A powerful outro peacefully ends the drama and restores the quiescence of the CD. (5/5)
In Conclusion, APOS was one of the best underground rap albums of 2006. If you haven't already listened to it - hurry and up and buy it. Anyone who wants something different in rap, but still appreciates good lyricism and beats, should check this out. QN5 delivers yet another hit for us to enjoy.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
APOS, May 17, 2006
With Kno's production, Deacon's rhyming and guests such as Tonedeff, Natti, Cee-Lo Green, Immortal Technigue and Club Dub this conceptual album most definately shows growth for the group CunninLynguists.
Although I was hoping to see a few more verses from Kno, his ill production more than makes up for his absence vocally.
My favorite tracks include:
Beautiful Girl
America Loves Gangsters (feat. the very talented Tim Means)
The Gates (feat. Tonedeff)
Remember Me (Abstact/Reality)
I believe this album is a must have!
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