UP THE IRISH, 31 Jan 2005
everyone should have a copy of this i only got it the other day and previously only heard jump around and top o the mornin to ya,i had no idea this album would be this good the music and lyrics r tight go and get it now pity they dont have much more material its hard to pick out a fave tune its the orta album u just let play through

The best cd ever, 11 Nov 2004
before i bought this cd I was a fan of house of pain from listening to "jump around".
Now i bought the cd i cannot stop listening to it, every track is amazin (well apart from the jum around remix in my opinion)
It is a very catchy album that i cannot reccomend enough.

Come and get some of this, 20 May 2004
If you want a great album, with excellent music and some really funny lyrics then buy this. Its amongst the best rap-based music I've heard. HoP have blended some brilliant samples with solid beats and pure street poetry. Heaney (the Noble laurette) reckoned Emenim was a poet, I think these guys are in higher league again. I can't recommend it highly enough. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy it but I think you'll enjoy even more if you are.

old skool's cool, 24 Apr 2004
i've been a fan of house of pain's single jump around for years and thisis me just getting the album now.if you like that track you'll enjoy therest of the album.eminem,50 - cent are awful and i'm more into indie androck but this is good record and i'm planning on buying more of the bandsalbums.

Absolutely Excellent, 10 Jan 2003
Like, I'd imagine, most people who've ever bought this album, I went for it off the back of the brilliant single Jump Around. However, surprisingly enough the rest of the album is also of an very high standard. Danny Boy, Guess who's Back and Top o' the Morning to ya are all great funky tracks and there's not really a bad one on here (you get quite a few as well). I can't imagine why this album didn't gain more commercial success, everyone I know who's heard it has loved it and gone and bought their own copy (myself included). Can't recommend this enough. If you like Jump Around, then buy this album NOW.

UP THE IRISH, 31 Jan 2005
everyone should have a copy of this i only got it the other day and previously only heard jump around and top o the mornin to ya,i had no idea this album would be this good the music and lyrics r tight go and get it now pity they dont have much more material its hard to pick out a fave tune its the orta album u just let play through

The best cd ever, 11 Nov 2004
before i bought this cd I was a fan of house of pain from listening to "jump around".
Now i bought the cd i cannot stop listening to it, every track is amazin (well apart from the jum around remix in my opinion)
It is a very catchy album that i cannot reccomend enough.

Come and get some of this, 20 May 2004
If you want a great album, with excellent music and some really funny lyrics then buy this. Its amongst the best rap-based music I've heard. HoP have blended some brilliant samples with solid beats and pure street poetry. Heaney (the Noble laurette) reckoned Emenim was a poet, I think these guys are in higher league again. I can't recommend it highly enough. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy it but I think you'll enjoy even more if you are.

old skool's cool, 24 Apr 2004
i've been a fan of house of pain's single jump around for years and thisis me just getting the album now.if you like that track you'll enjoy therest of the album.eminem,50 - cent are awful and i'm more into indie androck but this is good record and i'm planning on buying more of the bandsalbums.

Absolutely Excellent, 10 Jan 2003
Like, I'd imagine, most people who've ever bought this album, I went for it off the back of the brilliant single Jump Around. However, surprisingly enough the rest of the album is also of an very high standard. Danny Boy, Guess who's Back and Top o' the Morning to ya are all great funky tracks and there's not really a bad one on here (you get quite a few as well). I can't imagine why this album didn't gain more commercial success, everyone I know who's heard it has loved it and gone and bought their own copy (myself included). Can't recommend this enough. If you like Jump Around, then buy this album NOW.

Where do I start?, 01 Feb 2007
Brother was the first track that jumped out at me, then skipped along til It Girl launched itself into my brain, I can't stop singing it, so catchy but my favourite has to be the Shirley Bassey mix "where do I begin?". Being the owner of most of the top 100 albums in the chart this is my favourite album of the year, quite possibly of many years.

You cant put it down, you have to play again and again. Sing along in the car to it at the top of your lungs and watch the other drivers smile. "Cos you're an IT girl, it could happen to you"

UP THE IRISH, 31 Jan 2005
everyone should have a copy of this i only got it the other day and previously only heard jump around and top o the mornin to ya,i had no idea this album would be this good the music and lyrics r tight go and get it now pity they dont have much more material its hard to pick out a fave tune its the orta album u just let play through

The best cd ever, 11 Nov 2004
before i bought this cd I was a fan of house of pain from listening to "jump around".
Now i bought the cd i cannot stop listening to it, every track is amazin (well apart from the jum around remix in my opinion)
It is a very catchy album that i cannot reccomend enough.

Come and get some of this, 20 May 2004
If you want a great album, with excellent music and some really funny lyrics then buy this. Its amongst the best rap-based music I've heard. HoP have blended some brilliant samples with solid beats and pure street poetry. Heaney (the Noble laurette) reckoned Emenim was a poet, I think these guys are in higher league again. I can't recommend it highly enough. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy it but I think you'll enjoy even more if you are.

old skool's cool, 24 Apr 2004
i've been a fan of house of pain's single jump around for years and thisis me just getting the album now.if you like that track you'll enjoy therest of the album.eminem,50 - cent are awful and i'm more into indie androck but this is good record and i'm planning on buying more of the bandsalbums.

Absolutely Excellent, 10 Jan 2003
Like, I'd imagine, most people who've ever bought this album, I went for it off the back of the brilliant single Jump Around. However, surprisingly enough the rest of the album is also of an very high standard. Danny Boy, Guess who's Back and Top o' the Morning to ya are all great funky tracks and there's not really a bad one on here (you get quite a few as well). I can't imagine why this album didn't gain more commercial success, everyone I know who's heard it has loved it and gone and bought their own copy (myself included). Can't recommend this enough. If you like Jump Around, then buy this album NOW.

Where do I start?, 01 Feb 2007
Brother was the first track that jumped out at me, then skipped along til It Girl launched itself into my brain, I can't stop singing it, so catchy but my favourite has to be the Shirley Bassey mix "where do I begin?". Being the owner of most of the top 100 albums in the chart this is my favourite album of the year, quite possibly of many years.

You cant put it down, you have to play again and again. Sing along in the car to it at the top of your lungs and watch the other drivers smile. "Cos you're an IT girl, it could happen to you"

Underrated Classic!, 14 Aug 2008
Great to see so many other reviewers echoing what I'm feeling about this record - its absolute quality!

Love the flow of it, every track is focussed and is a real pleasure to listen to - whilst most people have got/ heard 3 Feet High (and don't get me wrong it's a great album), far less people have heard Stakes is High and its a shame because it shows how much De La Have evolved as a group...

If you don't have it - buy it now! Then drop a review on Amazon telling everyone else how great it is!

Peace

MY FAV DE LA ALBUM, BUY THIS NOW!!, 16 Sep 2005
This is my favourite De La Soul album, if you are a de la soul fan and you dont have this album you are mad!!! buy it now! this album is one of the most overlooked underhyped albums out there, forget '3 feet high' this is the must buy de la soul album out there, fav tracks are bizness, supa emcees, wonce again, dog eat dog, long island degrees, 4 more, you know what all of them there isnt a weak track on this album
***BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

De La`s finest....., 10 Apr 2004
This has got to be De La Souls finest work yet. It is a more mature piece of work whilst containing the bouncy De La carfree style but this album has a very political view with lyrics such as "It seems smiling in public is against the law cos love dont get u through life no more" amongst others. The best track on the album has to be the intro simply because of the flowing freestyle like lyrics and the catchy beat tied in with the simplest of sounds it shows the craftmanship of Posda and Daves emceeing talent even though the track is just over a minute. Other good tracks are The Stakes Is High,The Bizness feat Common, and Big Brother Beat feat Mos Def.Also this album shows a good view into the state of some places in America not getting better at that point(1996).

de la soul mature, 23 Nov 2003
This is the best de la soul album, and clearly a more mature piece of work. The trio have progressed from the reliance on punch-lines and antique samples to more socially concious rhymes and doper-than-dope head-nod compositions.
Three Feet is cool, but it lacks the maturity and depth of this work, and despite the amazing rhyme schemes in De La Soul Is Dead, it just had too many skits and not enough solid beats. Unlike the much overlooked Bulhoone Mindstate, Stake Is High has a perfect balance, every track is dope, with no exception, and it flows brilliantly. The Breaks and The Bizness are two of my favourite De La Soul songs, ill production and assertive lyrics match each other perfectly.
Mos Def makes an appearance on the classic Big Brother Beat, dropping some fresh rhymes "life be nothing but a river and i'm swimming up stream", and here his flow really impresses. Common also steps up and guests on The Bizness, lighting up the mic as usual. Pos, Maseo and Dove really excel lyrically on this album, spitting the "microphone mathematics" and making it look easy.
Buy this record, and let these Supa Emcees tell you something about the self.

De La Soul's Greatest, 28 Aug 2003
The best, but also the most neglected De La Soul album in my oppinion. No real weak tracks here and it's got the fantastic title track; "Stakes is high" - one of my all time favourites.

Enjoy!

As if the genre didn't have enough stigmas to transcend, countless nostalgic compilations have done disco additional disservice by reducing the canon to a handful of obvious tunes trotted out endlessly. Fortunately, by including lesser-known gems like the Gibson Brothers' "Que Sera Mi Vida" next to classics by Sylvester, Dan Hartman, and Chic, the music supervisors of 54 have assembled irrefutable proof that the late '70s weren't the musical wasteland those idiots who torched their Donna Summer LPs claimed. However, the producers apparently weren't entirely immune to the commercial leanings that undermined disco via overexposure; program your CD player to skip the annoying cut-and-paste medley "Studio 54" and Mary Griffin's updated "Knock on Wood," which pales next to Amii Stewart's chart-topping 1979 reading. --Kurt B. Reighley

UP THE IRISH, 31 Jan 2005
everyone should have a copy of this i only got it the other day and previously only heard jump around and top o the mornin to ya,i had no idea this album would be this good the music and lyrics r tight go and get it now pity they dont have much more material its hard to pick out a fave tune its the orta album u just let play through

The best cd ever, 11 Nov 2004
before i bought this cd I was a fan of house of pain from listening to "jump around".
Now i bought the cd i cannot stop listening to it, every track is amazin (well apart from the jum around remix in my opinion)
It is a very catchy album that i cannot reccomend enough.

Come and get some of this, 20 May 2004
If you want a great album, with excellent music and some really funny lyrics then buy this. Its amongst the best rap-based music I've heard. HoP have blended some brilliant samples with solid beats and pure street poetry. Heaney (the Noble laurette) reckoned Emenim was a poet, I think these guys are in higher league again. I can't recommend it highly enough. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy it but I think you'll enjoy even more if you are.

old skool's cool, 24 Apr 2004
i've been a fan of house of pain's single jump around for years and thisis me just getting the album now.if you like that track you'll enjoy therest of the album.eminem,50 - cent are awful and i'm more into indie androck but this is good record and i'm planning on buying more of the bandsalbums.

Absolutely Excellent, 10 Jan 2003
Like, I'd imagine, most people who've ever bought this album, I went for it off the back of the brilliant single Jump Around. However, surprisingly enough the rest of the album is also of an very high standard. Danny Boy, Guess who's Back and Top o' the Morning to ya are all great funky tracks and there's not really a bad one on here (you get quite a few as well). I can't imagine why this album didn't gain more commercial success, everyone I know who's heard it has loved it and gone and bought their own copy (myself included). Can't recommend this enough. If you like Jump Around, then buy this album NOW.

Where do I start?, 01 Feb 2007
Brother was the first track that jumped out at me, then skipped along til It Girl launched itself into my brain, I can't stop singing it, so catchy but my favourite has to be the Shirley Bassey mix "where do I begin?". Being the owner of most of the top 100 albums in the chart this is my favourite album of the year, quite possibly of many years.

You cant put it down, you have to play again and again. Sing along in the car to it at the top of your lungs and watch the other drivers smile. "Cos you're an IT girl, it could happen to you"

Underrated Classic!, 14 Aug 2008
Great to see so many other reviewers echoing what I'm feeling about this record - its absolute quality!

Love the flow of it, every track is focussed and is a real pleasure to listen to - whilst most people have got/ heard 3 Feet High (and don't get me wrong it's a great album), far less people have heard Stakes is High and its a shame because it shows how much De La Have evolved as a group...

If you don't have it - buy it now! Then drop a review on Amazon telling everyone else how great it is!

Peace

MY FAV DE LA ALBUM, BUY THIS NOW!!, 16 Sep 2005
This is my favourite De La Soul album, if you are a de la soul fan and you dont have this album you are mad!!! buy it now! this album is one of the most overlooked underhyped albums out there, forget '3 feet high' this is the must buy de la soul album out there, fav tracks are bizness, supa emcees, wonce again, dog eat dog, long island degrees, 4 more, you know what all of them there isnt a weak track on this album
***BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

De La`s finest....., 10 Apr 2004
This has got to be De La Souls finest work yet. It is a more mature piece of work whilst containing the bouncy De La carfree style but this album has a very political view with lyrics such as "It seems smiling in public is against the law cos love dont get u through life no more" amongst others. The best track on the album has to be the intro simply because of the flowing freestyle like lyrics and the catchy beat tied in with the simplest of sounds it shows the craftmanship of Posda and Daves emceeing talent even though the track is just over a minute. Other good tracks are The Stakes Is High,The Bizness feat Common, and Big Brother Beat feat Mos Def.Also this album shows a good view into the state of some places in America not getting better at that point(1996).

de la soul mature, 23 Nov 2003
This is the best de la soul album, and clearly a more mature piece of work. The trio have progressed from the reliance on punch-lines and antique samples to more socially concious rhymes and doper-than-dope head-nod compositions.
Three Feet is cool, but it lacks the maturity and depth of this work, and despite the amazing rhyme schemes in De La Soul Is Dead, it just had too many skits and not enough solid beats. Unlike the much overlooked Bulhoone Mindstate, Stake Is High has a perfect balance, every track is dope, with no exception, and it flows brilliantly. The Breaks and The Bizness are two of my favourite De La Soul songs, ill production and assertive lyrics match each other perfectly.
Mos Def makes an appearance on the classic Big Brother Beat, dropping some fresh rhymes "life be nothing but a river and i'm swimming up stream", and here his flow really impresses. Common also steps up and guests on The Bizness, lighting up the mic as usual. Pos, Maseo and Dove really excel lyrically on this album, spitting the "microphone mathematics" and making it look easy.
Buy this record, and let these Supa Emcees tell you something about the self.

De La Soul's Greatest, 28 Aug 2003
The best, but also the most neglected De La Soul album in my oppinion. No real weak tracks here and it's got the fantastic title track; "Stakes is high" - one of my all time favourites.

Enjoy!

Wicked sound track, 26 Dec 2005
A very good film and wicked 2cd of greatest cheeasy classics. From likes of Stars from 54,Grace jones,Blondie,candi station,Diana ross and Syvester etc. Look for these tracks
1.If i could read your mind
4.Love is Really my game
6.Found a cure
10.Please dont let me be misuderstood
13.I need a man
14.Heart of glass
16.Fly robin fly
disc2
1.Studio54
5.Relight my fire
6.You make me feel
8.Love machine
10.Knock on wood
12.Young heart run free
16.Wishing on a star
Generally every song is good a stylish funky makes you feel good.

De La Soul burned out on their own hype fast, and their dark, strange second album is a counter-blast to their image and hip-hop culture: perverse, dissatisfied, sometimes brilliant, sometimes out of control. Occasionally it seems mean-spirited-- the single "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" finds them grousing about getting deluged by demo tapes; and "Kicked Out The House" is a nasty (if very funny) parody of hip- house. But no one else has ever made a rap album that sounds like this. Sickly out- of-tune loops drift in and out; songs derail themselves with loud sneers, or give way to bizarre dialogues; Posdnuos and Trugoy chant together like the words have lost all meaning. The concept that ties the disc together---an imaginary radio station called WRMS--gives it an extra kick. --Douglas Wolk

UP THE IRISH, 31 Jan 2005
everyone should have a copy of this i only got it the other day and previously only heard jump around and top o the mornin to ya,i had no idea this album would be this good the music and lyrics r tight go and get it now pity they dont have much more material its hard to pick out a fave tune its the orta album u just let play through

The best cd ever, 11 Nov 2004
before i bought this cd I was a fan of house of pain from listening to "jump around".
Now i bought the cd i cannot stop listening to it, every track is amazin (well apart from the jum around remix in my opinion)
It is a very catchy album that i cannot reccomend enough.

Come and get some of this, 20 May 2004
If you want a great album, with excellent music and some really funny lyrics then buy this. Its amongst the best rap-based music I've heard. HoP have blended some brilliant samples with solid beats and pure street poetry. Heaney (the Noble laurette) reckoned Emenim was a poet, I think these guys are in higher league again. I can't recommend it highly enough. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy it but I think you'll enjoy even more if you are.

old skool's cool, 24 Apr 2004
i've been a fan of house of pain's single jump around for years and thisis me just getting the album now.if you like that track you'll enjoy therest of the album.eminem,50 - cent are awful and i'm more into indie androck but this is good record and i'm planning on buying more of the bandsalbums.

Absolutely Excellent, 10 Jan 2003
Like, I'd imagine, most people who've ever bought this album, I went for it off the back of the brilliant single Jump Around. However, surprisingly enough the rest of the album is also of an very high standard. Danny Boy, Guess who's Back and Top o' the Morning to ya are all great funky tracks and there's not really a bad one on here (you get quite a few as well). I can't imagine why this album didn't gain more commercial success, everyone I know who's heard it has loved it and gone and bought their own copy (myself included). Can't recommend this enough. If you like Jump Around, then buy this album NOW.

Where do I start?, 01 Feb 2007
Brother was the first track that jumped out at me, then skipped along til It Girl launched itself into my brain, I can't stop singing it, so catchy but my favourite has to be the Shirley Bassey mix "where do I begin?". Being the owner of most of the top 100 albums in the chart this is my favourite album of the year, quite possibly of many years.

You cant put it down, you have to play again and again. Sing along in the car to it at the top of your lungs and watch the other drivers smile. "Cos you're an IT girl, it could happen to you"

Underrated Classic!, 14 Aug 2008
Great to see so many other reviewers echoing what I'm feeling about this record - its absolute quality!

Love the flow of it, every track is focussed and is a real pleasure to listen to - whilst most people have got/ heard 3 Feet High (and don't get me wrong it's a great album), far less people have heard Stakes is High and its a shame because it shows how much De La Have evolved as a group...

If you don't have it - buy it now! Then drop a review on Amazon telling everyone else how great it is!

Peace

MY FAV DE LA ALBUM, BUY THIS NOW!!, 16 Sep 2005
This is my favourite De La Soul album, if you are a de la soul fan and you dont have this album you are mad!!! buy it now! this album is one of the most overlooked underhyped albums out there, forget '3 feet high' this is the must buy de la soul album out there, fav tracks are bizness, supa emcees, wonce again, dog eat dog, long island degrees, 4 more, you know what all of them there isnt a weak track on this album
***BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

De La`s finest....., 10 Apr 2004
This has got to be De La Souls finest work yet. It is a more mature piece of work whilst containing the bouncy De La carfree style but this album has a very political view with lyrics such as "It seems smiling in public is against the law cos love dont get u through life no more" amongst others. The best track on the album has to be the intro simply because of the flowing freestyle like lyrics and the catchy beat tied in with the simplest of sounds it shows the craftmanship of Posda and Daves emceeing talent even though the track is just over a minute. Other good tracks are The Stakes Is High,The Bizness feat Common, and Big Brother Beat feat Mos Def.Also this album shows a good view into the state of some places in America not getting better at that point(1996).

de la soul mature, 23 Nov 2003
This is the best de la soul album, and clearly a more mature piece of work. The trio have progressed from the reliance on punch-lines and antique samples to more socially concious rhymes and doper-than-dope head-nod compositions.
Three Feet is cool, but it lacks the maturity and depth of this work, and despite the amazing rhyme schemes in De La Soul Is Dead, it just had too many skits and not enough solid beats. Unlike the much overlooked Bulhoone Mindstate, Stake Is High has a perfect balance, every track is dope, with no exception, and it flows brilliantly. The Breaks and The Bizness are two of my favourite De La Soul songs, ill production and assertive lyrics match each other perfectly.
Mos Def makes an appearance on the classic Big Brother Beat, dropping some fresh rhymes "life be nothing but a river and i'm swimming up stream", and here his flow really impresses. Common also steps up and guests on The Bizness, lighting up the mic as usual. Pos, Maseo and Dove really excel lyrically on this album, spitting the "microphone mathematics" and making it look easy.
Buy this record, and let these Supa Emcees tell you something about the self.

De La Soul's Greatest, 28 Aug 2003
The best, but also the most neglected De La Soul album in my oppinion. No real weak tracks here and it's got the fantastic title track; "Stakes is high" - one of my all time favourites.

Enjoy!

Wicked sound track, 26 Dec 2005
A very good film and wicked 2cd of greatest cheeasy classics. From likes of Stars from 54,Grace jones,Blondie,candi station,Diana ross and Syvester etc. Look for these tracks
1.If i could read your mind
4.Love is Really my game
6.Found a cure
10.Please dont let me be misuderstood
13.I need a man
14.Heart of glass
16.Fly robin fly
disc2
1.Studio54
5.Relight my fire
6.You make me feel
8.Love machine
10.Knock on wood
12.Young heart run free
16.Wishing on a star
Generally every song is good a stylish funky makes you feel good.

TWO FOR PUSHING BOUNDARIES, BUT NOTHING ELSE, 10 May 2008
Criticising De La Soul? Are you crazy? They're groundbreakers. They pushed the envelope and allowed hip-hop to expand as a form of music.

True, true, true. Couldn't agree more; they did all that.

Unfortunately, in being so experimental and insisting on putting irritating and extended skits between every track - and sometimes between every skit - they produced very inconsistent music whose rhythm is destroyed further by the aforementioned skits.

Bought this as I bought 'Three Feet High and Rising' on release and, similarly, was disappointed with it. Again, with the exception of one or two tunes. This being marketed more seriously suggested that the silly, self-indulgent skits would be a thing of the past. But no.

Of course, throw a lot of stuff at a wall and some will stick. 'Pease Porridge': good production and an interesting stutter vocal. Novelty does tend to wear off with the vocal though. 'Millie': easily the best tune in terms of beats and rhymes. Others? Well, I'm tired and am head nodding with Gang Starr's 'Hard to Earn' in the headphones and hearing how it should be done.

To sum up though, respect for being out there and creating a space for more consistent performers to fill, but don't let that fool you into thinking you're getting a good album to listen to from end to end, cos you ain't.

Don't believe the hype: it's an exercise in self-indulgence, misplaced arrogance (Kicked Out the House), experimentation and commercialism ('Roller Skating Jam' and 'Ring Ring'), and that's it.



An album of great rap tracks about life, rather than rapping about MCing, 22 Sep 2006
I got this album because I'd heard and loved "Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays'" - I wasn't dissapointed. There are so many funky, jazzy and downright catchy tracks. There's maybe one or two that's a bit dull, but that's 1 or 2 out of 20 tracks, fellas.

Zoom forward 13 or 14 years and it's still a great play. The lyrics are interesting and funny and most importantly, THEY ARE NOT MCING ABOUT MCING - I find nothing more dull than hearing someone rapping that they are they best mo-fo MC this side of Jersee or something similar.

Back to the early 90s, after wearing out my cassette of "De La Soul Is Dead", I then went out and bought "3 feet high and rising" and frankly, I was dissapointed. It's a bit warm and fluffy - not as edgy, not as boundary pushing. Shame. Then I got "Stakes Is High" [sigh] - it's all about what great MCs they are, but all the evidence of this is on "...Is Dead".

It's possible that "De La Soul Is Dead" is the only great hip hop album De La made.

What happens when you rise higher than 3 feet..., 05 Aug 2005
Nostalgic music journo's always cite De La Soul's massively successful debut album "3 Feet High & Rising" as a Hip Hop classic, and yet while few would argue with that sentiment, it was their sophomore LP "De La Soul Is Dead" that, in my humble opinion, was the superior release.

De La Soul obviously had a problem with their 'Daisy Age' concept that formed the backbone of their artistic direction on their first album. Maybe they were sick of the idea, maybe they were worried about getting pigeon-holed as a novelty rap act. So their 2nd album had a much different concept...kill the 'Daisy Age' off completely so they can get on with doing what they do best, make phat Hip Hop music.

Of course, reviews at the time weren't kind. With the first LP so well-received, critics and some fans alike were upset that De La had chosen such a different direction and chose to discredit this album. Bottom line is that "De La Soul Is Dead" has all the ingredients that made "3 Feet..." so compelling (the skits, the Prince Paul production, the wildly-varied subject matter etc.) but rather than get bogged down with 'hippy' stylings and day-glo 70's-esque imagery, De La evolved with the times. Perhaps they were too far ahead of their time with this one, who knows.

So much has been said about the tracks on this album...all I'll say is that rarely do you find an album as cohesive as "De La Soul Is Dead" which is devoid of filler, contains at least a half-dozen stand-out singles and some of the most original lyrics and production you'll ever hear. Buy it NOW!

De La is still alive........, 23 Apr 2004
.........but don't kick quite as hard as their first release, or BuhlooneMindstate. For me, this album is too long and has far too many skits. Ifthese skits where removed the album would be alot doper, but after twolistens the record just becomes annoying. There trade mark innovativerhyme schemes and interesting concepts (check out "oodles of o's) are allin check, but the beats don't always match those on Three Feet High.

Flawed masterpiece, 29 Jan 2003
Finding it impossible to follow up on their instant classic "3 Feet High and Rising" and sick of the misinterpretations of their "hippie" message De La Soul released this album as a pre-emptive strike on the critics and fanbase they had aquired over the previous 18 months. "De La Soul is dead" is everything that their debut wasn't; cynical("Ring ring ring"),angry(My brother's a basehead")and full of black humour ("Mollie pulled a pistol on Santa").Everything that is, except brilliant and imaginative. One of the few concept albums in rap that bears repeated listening, even the most obnoxious sentiments on the album ("Bitties in the BK Lounge") are laced with that distinctive De La sense of humour, although at times the joke seems to have worn itself out ("Not over till the fat lady plays the demo")Bold, brash and brilliant, this is a flawed masterpiece.

The second round of sounds from 54 kicks off with Stars on 54--the powerhouse trio of club canaries Ultra Naté, Amber, and Jocelyn Enriquez--breathing life into a house reinvention of Gordon Lightfoot's tepid "If You Could Read My Mind." What distinguishes the 15 subsequent tracks is a sparkling symbiosis of artist, melody, and musical invention. Could anyone but the towering Grace Jones have growled "I Need a Man" with such ferocity? And the syncopated bridge of Bonnie Pointer's "Heaven Must Have Sent You" oozes more juice than most contemporary R&B hits. Thoughtful sequencing, with an emphasis on the oft-overlooked stylistic breadth disco achieved under the best producers and performers, makes this an even better bet than volume 1. --Kurt B. Reighley

UP THE IRISH, 31 Jan 2005
everyone should have a copy of this i only got it the other day and previously only heard jump around and top o the mornin to ya,i had no idea this album would be this good the music and lyrics r tight go and get it now pity they dont have much more material its hard to pick out a fave tune its the orta album u just let play through

The best cd ever, 11 Nov 2004
before i bought this cd I was a fan of house of pain from listening to "jump around".
Now i bought the cd i cannot stop listening to it, every track is amazin (well apart from the jum around remix in my opinion)
It is a very catchy album that i cannot reccomend enough.

Come and get some of this, 20 May 2004
If you want a great album, with excellent music and some really funny lyrics then buy this. Its amongst the best rap-based music I've heard. HoP have blended some brilliant samples with solid beats and pure street poetry. Heaney (the Noble laurette) reckoned Emenim was a poet, I think these guys are in higher league again. I can't recommend it highly enough. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy it but I think you'll enjoy even more if you are.

old skool's cool, 24 Apr 2004
i've been a fan of house of pain's single jump around for years and thisis me just getting the album now.if you like that track you'll enjoy therest of the album.eminem,50 - cent are awful and i'm more into indie androck but this is good record and i'm planning on buying more of the bandsalbums.

Absolutely Excellent, 10 Jan 2003
Like, I'd imagine, most people who've ever bought this album, I went for it off the back of the brilliant single Jump Around. However, surprisingly enough the rest of the album is also of an very high standard. Danny Boy, Guess who's Back and Top o' the Morning to ya are all great funky tracks and there's not really a bad one on here (you get quite a few as well). I can't imagine why this album didn't gain more commercial success, everyone I know who's heard it has loved it and gone and bought their own copy (myself included). Can't recommend this enough. If you like Jump Around, then buy this album NOW.

Where do I start?, 01 Feb 2007
Brother was the first track that jumped out at me, then skipped along til It Girl launched itself into my brain, I can't stop singing it, so catchy but my favourite has to be the Shirley Bassey mix "where do I begin?". Being the owner of most of the top 100 albums in the chart this is my favourite album of the year, quite possibly of many years.

You cant put it down, you have to play again and again. Sing along in the car to it at the top of your lungs and watch the other drivers smile. "Cos you're an IT girl, it could happen to you"

Underrated Classic!, 14 Aug 2008
Great to see so many other reviewers echoing what I'm feeling about this record - its absolute quality!

Love the flow of it, every track is focussed and is a real pleasure to listen to - whilst most people have got/ heard 3 Feet High (and don't get me wrong it's a great album), far less people have heard Stakes is High and its a shame because it shows how much De La Have evolved as a group...

If you don't have it - buy it now! Then drop a review on Amazon telling everyone else how great it is!

Peace

MY FAV DE LA ALBUM, BUY THIS NOW!!, 16 Sep 2005
This is my favourite De La Soul album, if you are a de la soul fan and you dont have this album you are mad!!! buy it now! this album is one of the most overlooked underhyped albums out there, forget '3 feet high' this is the must buy de la soul album out there, fav tracks are bizness, supa emcees, wonce again, dog eat dog, long island degrees, 4 more, you know what all of them there isnt a weak track on this album
***BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

De La`s finest....., 10 Apr 2004
This has got to be De La Souls finest work yet. It is a more mature piece of work whilst containing the bouncy De La carfree style but this album has a very political view with lyrics such as "It seems smiling in public is against the law cos love dont get u through life no more" amongst others. The best track on the album has to be the intro simply because of the flowing freestyle like lyrics and the catchy beat tied in with the simplest of sounds it shows the craftmanship of Posda and Daves emceeing talent even though the track is just over a minute. Other good tracks are The Stakes Is High,The Bizness feat Common, and Big Brother Beat feat Mos Def.Also this album shows a good view into the state of some places in America not getting better at that point(1996).

de la soul mature, 23 Nov 2003
This is the best de la soul album, and clearly a more mature piece of work. The trio have progressed from the reliance on punch-lines and antique samples to more socially concious rhymes and doper-than-dope head-nod compositions.
Three Feet is cool, but it lacks the maturity and depth of this work, and despite the amazing rhyme schemes in De La Soul Is Dead, it just had too many skits and not enough solid beats. Unlike the much overlooked Bulhoone Mindstate, Stake Is High has a perfect balance, every track is dope, with no exception, and it flows brilliantly. The Breaks and The Bizness are two of my favourite De La Soul songs, ill production and assertive lyrics match each other perfectly.
Mos Def makes an appearance on the classic Big Brother Beat, dropping some fresh rhymes "life be nothing but a river and i'm swimming up stream", and here his flow really impresses. Common also steps up and guests on The Bizness, lighting up the mic as usual. Pos, Maseo and Dove really excel lyrically on this album, spitting the "microphone mathematics" and making it look easy.
Buy this record, and let these Supa Emcees tell you something about the self.

De La Soul's Greatest, 28 Aug 2003
The best, but also the most neglected De La Soul album in my oppinion. No real weak tracks here and it's got the fantastic title track; "Stakes is high" - one of my all time favourites.

Enjoy!

Wicked sound track, 26 Dec 2005
A very good film and wicked 2cd of greatest cheeasy classics. From likes of Stars from 54,Grace jones,Blondie,candi station,Diana ross and Syvester etc. Look for these tracks
1.If i could read your mind
4.Love is Really my game
6.Found a cure
10.Please dont let me be misuderstood
13.I need a man
14.Heart of glass
16.Fly robin fly
disc2
1.Studio54
5.Relight my fire
6.You make me feel
8.Love machine
10.Knock on wood
12.Young heart run free
16.Wishing on a star
Generally every song is good a stylish funky makes you feel good.

TWO FOR PUSHING BOUNDARIES, BUT NOTHING ELSE, 10 May 2008
Criticising De La Soul? Are you crazy? They're groundbreakers. They pushed the envelope and allowed hip-hop to expand as a form of music.

True, true, true. Couldn't agree more; they did all that.

Unfortunately, in being so experimental and insisting on putting irritating and extended skits between every track - and sometimes between every skit - they produced very inconsistent music whose rhythm is destroyed further by the aforementioned skits.

Bought this as I bought 'Three Feet High and Rising' on release and, similarly, was disappointed with it. Again, with the exception of one or two tunes. This being marketed more seriously suggested that the silly, self-indulgent skits would be a thing of the past. But no.

Of course, throw a lot of stuff at a wall and some will stick. 'Pease Porridge': good production and an interesting stutter vocal. Novelty does tend to wear off with the vocal though. 'Millie': easily the best tune in terms of beats and rhymes. Others? Well, I'm tired and am head nodding with Gang Starr's 'Hard to Earn' in the headphones and hearing how it should be done.

To sum up though, respect for being out there and creating a space for more consistent performers to fill, but don't let that fool you into thinking you're getting a good album to listen to from end to end, cos you ain't.

Don't believe the hype: it's an exercise in self-indulgence, misplaced arrogance (Kicked Out the House), experimentation and commercialism ('Roller Skating Jam' and 'Ring Ring'), and that's it.



An album of great rap tracks about life, rather than rapping about MCing, 22 Sep 2006
I got this album because I'd heard and loved "Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays'" - I wasn't dissapointed. There are so many funky, jazzy and downright catchy tracks. There's maybe one or two that's a bit dull, but that's 1 or 2 out of 20 tracks, fellas.

Zoom forward 13 or 14 years and it's still a great play. The lyrics are interesting and funny and most importantly, THEY ARE NOT MCING ABOUT MCING - I find nothing more dull than hearing someone rapping that they are they best mo-fo MC this side of Jersee or something similar.

Back to the early 90s, after wearing out my cassette of "De La Soul Is Dead", I then went out and bought "3 feet high and rising" and frankly, I was dissapointed. It's a bit warm and fluffy - not as edgy, not as boundary pushing. Shame. Then I got "Stakes Is High" [sigh] - it's all about what great MCs they are, but all the evidence of this is on "...Is Dead".

It's possible that "De La Soul Is Dead" is the only great hip hop album De La made.

What happens when you rise higher than 3 feet..., 05 Aug 2005
Nostalgic music journo's always cite De La Soul's massively successful debut album "3 Feet High & Rising" as a Hip Hop classic, and yet while few would argue with that sentiment, it was their sophomore LP "De La Soul Is Dead" that, in my humble opinion, was the superior release.

De La Soul obviously had a problem with their 'Daisy Age' concept that formed the backbone of their artistic direction on their first album. Maybe they were sick of the idea, maybe they were worried about getting pigeon-holed as a novelty rap act. So their 2nd album had a much different concept...kill the 'Daisy Age' off completely so they can get on with doing what they do best, make phat Hip Hop music.

Of course, reviews at the time weren't kind. With the first LP so well-received, critics and some fans alike were upset that De La had chosen such a different direction and chose to discredit this album. Bottom line is that "De La Soul Is Dead" has all the ingredients that made "3 Feet..." so compelling (the skits, the Prince Paul production, the wildly-varied subject matter etc.) but rather than get bogged down with 'hippy' stylings and day-glo 70's-esque imagery, De La evolved with the times. Perhaps they were too far ahead of their time with this one, who knows.

So much has been said about the tracks on this album...all I'll say is that rarely do you find an album as cohesive as "De La Soul Is Dead" which is devoid of filler, contains at least a half-dozen stand-out singles and some of the most original lyrics and production you'll ever hear. Buy it NOW!

De La is still alive........, 23 Apr 2004
.........but don't kick quite as hard as their first release, or BuhlooneMindstate. For me, this album is too long and has far too many skits. Ifthese skits where removed the album would be alot doper, but after twolistens the record just becomes annoying. There trade mark innovativerhyme schemes and interesting concepts (check out "oodles of o's) are allin check, but the beats don't always match those on Three Feet High.

Flawed masterpiece, 29 Jan 2003
Finding it impossible to follow up on their instant classic "3 Feet High and Rising" and sick of the misinterpretations of their "hippie" message De La Soul released this album as a pre-emptive strike on the critics and fanbase they had aquired over the previous 18 months. "De La Soul is dead" is everything that their debut wasn't; cynical("Ring ring ring"),angry(My brother's a basehead")and full of black humour ("Mollie pulled a pistol on Santa").Everything that is, except brilliant and imaginative. One of the few concept albums in rap that bears repeated listening, even the most obnoxious sentiments on the album ("Bitties in the BK Lounge") are laced with that distinctive De La sense of humour, although at times the joke seems to have worn itself out ("Not over till the fat lady plays the demo")Bold, brash and brilliant, this is a flawed masterpiece.

Happy Music, 23 Jan 2006
For anyone who enjoys African influenced music, wants to enjoy it at it's most liveliest & lift up your spirits this is the album for you....from start to end it invokes a party feel, a happy vibe, a live lfe right now feel...buy it, you will LOVE it...play it in the morning and you'll breeze through the day...well done Bob and friends, it's a blinder...I challenge anyone not to dance their sox off :o))

Huge ! It gonna burn the dancefloor, 29 Apr 2005
Africanism collection is really so great !
"Zookey" is really huge ! I think it gonna burn the dancefloor this summer like the other summer bomb from ComboStar "Shiny Idol" !!!!

UP THE IRISH, 31 Jan 2005
everyone should have a copy of this i only got it the other day and previously only heard jump around and top o the mornin to ya,i had no idea this album would be this good the music and lyrics r tight go and get it now pity they dont have much more material its hard to pick out a fave tune its the orta album u just let play through

The best cd ever, 11 Nov 2004
before i bought this cd I was a fan of house of pain from listening to "jump around".
Now i bought the cd i cannot stop listening to it, every track is amazin (well apart from the jum around remix in my opinion)
It is a very catchy album that i cannot reccomend enough.

Come and get some of this, 20 May 2004
If you want a great album, with excellent music and some really funny lyrics then buy this. Its amongst the best rap-based music I've heard. HoP have blended some brilliant samples with solid beats and pure street poetry. Heaney (the Noble laurette) reckoned Emenim was a poet, I think these guys are in higher league again. I can't recommend it highly enough. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy it but I think you'll enjoy even more if you are.

old skool's cool, 24 Apr 2004
i've been a fan of house of pain's single jump around for years and thisis me just getting the album now.if you like that track you'll enjoy therest of the album.eminem,50 - cent are awful and i'm more into indie androck but this is good record and i'm planning on buying more of the bandsalbums.

Absolutely Excellent, 10 Jan 2003
Like, I'd imagine, most people who've ever bought this album, I went for it off the back of the brilliant single Jump Around. However, surprisingly enough the rest of the album is also of an very high standard. Danny Boy, Guess who's Back and Top o' the Morning to ya are all great funky tracks and there's not really a bad one on here (you get quite a few as well). I can't imagine why this album didn't gain more commercial success, everyone I know who's heard it has loved it and gone and bought their own copy (myself included). Can't recommend this enough. If you like Jump Around, then buy this album NOW.

Where do I start?, 01 Feb 2007
Brother was the first track that jumped out at me, then skipped along til It Girl launched itself into my brain, I can't stop singing it, so catchy but my favourite has to be the Shirley Bassey mix "where do I begin?". Being the owner of most of the top 100 albums in the chart this is my favourite album of the year, quite possibly of many years.

You cant put it down, you have to play again and again. Sing along in the car to it at the top of your lungs and watch the other drivers smile. "Cos you're an IT girl, it could happen to you"

Underrated Classic!, 14 Aug 2008
Great to see so many other reviewers echoing what I'm feeling about this record - its absolute quality!

Love the flow of it, every track is focussed and is a real pleasure to listen to - whilst most people have got/ heard 3 Feet High (and don't get me wrong it's a great album), far less people have heard Stakes is High and its a shame because it shows how much De La Have evolved as a group...

If you don't have it - buy it now! Then drop a review on Amazon telling everyone else how great it is!

Peace

MY FAV DE LA ALBUM, BUY THIS NOW!!, 16 Sep 2005
This is my favourite De La Soul album, if you are a de la soul fan and you dont have this album you are mad!!! buy it now! this album is one of the most overlooked underhyped albums out there, forget '3 feet high' this is the must buy de la soul album out there, fav tracks are bizness, supa emcees, wonce again, dog eat dog, long island degrees, 4 more, you know what all of them there isnt a weak track on this album
***BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

De La`s finest....., 10 Apr 2004
This has got to be De La Souls finest work yet. It is a more mature piece of work whilst containing the bouncy De La carfree style but this album has a very political view with lyrics such as "It seems smiling in public is against the law cos love dont get u through life no more" amongst others. The best track on the album has to be the intro simply because of the flowing freestyle like lyrics and the catchy beat tied in with the simplest of sounds it shows the craftmanship of Posda and Daves emceeing talent even though the track is just over a minute. Other good tracks are The Stakes Is High,The Bizness feat Common, and Big Brother Beat feat Mos Def.Also this album shows a good view into the state of some places in America not getting better at that point(1996).

de la soul mature, 23 Nov 2003
This is the best de la soul album, and clearly a more mature piece of work. The trio have progressed from the reliance on punch-lines and antique samples to more socially concious rhymes and doper-than-dope head-nod compositions.
Three Feet is cool, but it lacks the maturity and depth of this work, and despite the amazing rhyme schemes in De La Soul Is Dead, it just had too many skits and not enough solid beats. Unlike the much overlooked Bulhoone Mindstate, Stake Is High has a perfect balance, every track is dope, with no exception, and it flows brilliantly. The Breaks and The Bizness are two of my favourite De La Soul songs, ill production and assertive lyrics match each other perfectly.
Mos Def makes an appearance on the classic Big Brother Beat, dropping some fresh rhymes "life be nothing but a river and i'm swimming up stream", and here his flow really impresses. Common also steps up and guests on The Bizness, lighting up the mic as usual. Pos, Maseo and Dove really excel lyrically on this album, spitting the "microphone mathematics" and making it look easy.
Buy this record, and let these Supa Emcees tell you something about the self.

De La Soul's Greatest, 28 Aug 2003
The best, but also the most neglected De La Soul album in my oppinion. No real weak tracks here and it's got the fantastic title track; "Stakes is high" - one of my all time favourites.

Enjoy!

Wicked sound track, 26 Dec 2005
A very good film and wicked 2cd of greatest cheeasy classics. From likes of Stars from 54,Grace jones,Blondie,candi station,Diana ross and Syvester etc. Look for these tracks
1.If i could read your mind
4.Love is Really my game
6.Found a cure
10.Please dont let me be misuderstood
13.I need a man
14.Heart of glass
16.Fly robin fly
disc2
1.Studio54
5.Relight my fire
6.You make me feel
8.Love machine
10.Knock on wood
12.Young heart run free
16.Wishing on a star
Generally every song is good a stylish funky makes you feel good.

TWO FOR PUSHING BOUNDARIES, BUT NOTHING ELSE, 10 May 2008
Criticising De La Soul? Are you crazy? They're groundbreakers. They pushed the envelope and allowed hip-hop to expand as a form of music.

True, true, true. Couldn't agree more; they did all that.

Unfortunately, in being so experimental and insisting on putting irritating and extended skits between every track - and sometimes between every skit - they produced very inconsistent music whose rhythm is destroyed further by the aforementioned skits.

Bought this as I bought 'Three Feet High and Rising' on release and, similarly, was disappointed with it. Again, with the exception of one or two tunes. This being marketed more seriously suggested that the silly, self-indulgent skits would be a thing of the past. But no.

Of course, throw a lot of stuff at a wall and some will stick. 'Pease Porridge': good production and an interesting stutter vocal. Novelty does tend to wear off with the vocal though. 'Millie': easily the best tune in terms of beats and rhymes. Others? Well, I'm tired and am head nodding with Gang Starr's 'Hard to Earn' in the headphones and hearing how it should be done.

To sum up though, respect for being out there and creating a space for more consistent performers to fill, but don't let that fool you into thinking you're getting a good album to listen to from end to end, cos you ain't.

Don't believe the hype: it's an exercise in self-indulgence, misplaced arrogance (Kicked Out the House), experimentation and commercialism ('Roller Skating Jam' and 'Ring Ring'), and that's it.



An album of great rap tracks about life, rather than rapping about MCing, 22 Sep 2006
I got this album because I'd heard and loved "Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays'" - I wasn't dissapointed. There are so many funky, jazzy and downright catchy tracks. There's maybe one or two that's a bit dull, but that's 1 or 2 out of 20 tracks, fellas.

Zoom forward 13 or 14 years and it's still a great play. The lyrics are interesting and funny and most importantly, THEY ARE NOT MCING ABOUT MCING - I find nothing more dull than hearing someone rapping that they are they best mo-fo MC this side of Jersee or something similar.

Back to the early 90s, after wearing out my cassette of "De La Soul Is Dead", I then went out and bought "3 feet high and rising" and frankly, I was dissapointed. It's a bit warm and fluffy - not as edgy, not as boundary pushing. Shame. Then I got "Stakes Is High" [sigh] - it's all about what great MCs they are, but all the evidence of this is on "...Is Dead".

It's possible that "De La Soul Is Dead" is the only great hip hop album De La made.

What happens when you rise higher than 3 feet..., 05 Aug 2005
Nostalgic music journo's always cite De La Soul's massively successful debut album "3 Feet High & Rising" as a Hip Hop classic, and yet while few would argue with that sentiment, it was their sophomore LP "De La Soul Is Dead" that, in my humble opinion, was the superior release.

De La Soul obviously had a problem with their 'Daisy Age' concept that formed the backbone of their artistic direction on their first album. Maybe they were sick of the idea, maybe they were worried about getting pigeon-holed as a novelty rap act. So their 2nd album had a much different concept...kill the 'Daisy Age' off completely so they can get on with doing what they do best, make phat Hip Hop music.

Of course, reviews at the time weren't kind. With the first LP so well-received, critics and some fans alike were upset that De La had chosen such a different direction and chose to discredit this album. Bottom line is that "De La Soul Is Dead" has all the ingredients that made "3 Feet..." so compelling (the skits, the Prince Paul production, the wildly-varied subject matter etc.) but rather than get bogged down with 'hippy' stylings and day-glo 70's-esque imagery, De La evolved with the times. Perhaps they were too far ahead of their time with this one, who knows.

So much has been said about the tracks on this album...all I'll say is that rarely do you find an album as cohesive as "De La Soul Is Dead" which is devoid of filler, contains at least a half-dozen stand-out singles and some of the most original lyrics and production you'll ever hear. Buy it NOW!

De La is still alive........, 23 Apr 2004
.........but don't kick quite as hard as their first release, or BuhlooneMindstate. For me, this album is too long and has far too many skits. Ifthese skits where removed the album would be alot doper, but after twolistens the record just becomes annoying. There trade mark innovativerhyme schemes and interesting concepts (check out "oodles of o's) are allin check, but the beats don't always match those on Three Feet High.

Flawed masterpiece, 29 Jan 2003
Finding it impossible to follow up on their instant classic "3 Feet High and Rising" and sick of the misinterpretations of their "hippie" message De La Soul released this album as a pre-emptive strike on the critics and fanbase they had aquired over the previous 18 months. "De La Soul is dead" is everything that their debut wasn't; cynical("Ring ring ring"),angry(My brother's a basehead")and full of black humour ("Mollie pulled a pistol on Santa").Everything that is, except brilliant and imaginative. One of the few concept albums in rap that bears repeated listening, even the most obnoxious sentiments on the album ("Bitties in the BK Lounge") are laced with that distinctive De La sense of humour, although at times the joke seems to have worn itself out ("Not over till the fat lady plays the demo")Bold, brash and brilliant, this is a flawed masterpiece.

Happy Music, 23 Jan 2006
For anyone who enjoys African influenced music, wants to enjoy it at it's most liveliest & lift up your spirits this is the album for you....from start to end it invokes a party feel, a happy vibe, a live lfe right now feel...buy it, you will LOVE it...play it in the morning and you'll breeze through the day...well done Bob and friends, it's a blinder...I challenge anyone not to dance their sox off :o))

Huge ! It gonna burn the dancefloor, 29 Apr 2005
Africanism collection is really so great !
"Zookey" is really huge ! I think it gonna burn the dancefloor this summer like the other summer bomb from ComboStar "Shiny Idol" !!!!

new york finist reunited, 11 Apr 2003
this is a exelant album and a must for any east side fan.these two g's are as real as it gets, some top traks including B EZ feat the one and only nas,the dj premeir produced "invincable" and a more soft chilled tune " all we got is us "the album is simply a masterpiece with real rap and tight production.

STUNNING, 29 Oct 2001
This is the best album in my collection, which includes Dr.Dre and Snoop Dogg. Before i listened to this album, i had heard 'invincible' and that was my favourite track. Now, i don't have a favourite 'cos they're all excellent. Its the first album in which i like all the tracks, and particular standouts are 'invincible', with its piano riff and nice lyrics by capone. 'All we got is us' is a typical queens track with its piano tunes and tough lyrics and is one to sit down and listen to. 'B EZ' and 'Gunz in da air' are the complete opposite with bouncy bass lines and just makes you smile. 'Full Steazy' is one of the best on the album and girls will even like it. It has a marvellous xylophone laid over a full on bass line and the overall effect makes it outstanding. Add cameos by Nas, Mobb Deep and Foxy Brown, and the remarkable lyrical team of CNN, the only question is, why haven't you bought it yet?

This album is HOT, 12 May 2001
From start to Finish, this really is a Bangin' album. First off is the eerie Phone Time, it has a piercing backing track, and it's about Capone in jail talkin' to his friend Noreaga on the outside. But what is a good track is the ill Bang Bang. With Capone, Noreaga and Foxy Brown chantin' their lyrics over the wicked backin' track. As soon as you turn on the song you know it's Noreaga and the crew 'cos the first few lines are just full of profanities. Also Full Steezy is a smokin' track. It sounds like it's just come out of play school and has been done on a xylophone. Another pumpin' track is the beautiful Invicible, it's got this mellow piano tune with Noreaga and Capone doin' their stuff over the top of it, it's a mellow but upbeat joint with Noreaga on the chorus. But it wouldn't be right if there was no party anthem and Gunz in Da Air does just that deliveing you a head boppin' body groovin' tune.So if you don't mind a lot of swearing in your tunes. Then this album is hot, with ill cameo's from Mobb Deep and Goldfingaz. Back from his time in jail, Capone is back on fine form and with Noreaga they really are unstoppable.

WE AIN'T THUGGED OUT YET!, 21 Nov 2000
CNN return after their debut album - The War Report - with the highly anticipated Reunion. Once again we treated to tales of the thug life over hardcore beats. Both MCs, hailing from Lefrak and Queens, compliment each other with their very different styles and sound while production remains tight with a plentiful supply of headnodding street anthems. From 'Bang Bang' to 'Queens Finest' the album is a soundscape of New York City, remaining sinister, serious and dark but maintaining a freshness throughout. With a very possible contender for Best Hip Hop Song of 2000 - 'Invincible' (produced by DJ Premier) - this album will certainly be resounding in the air for a long time. As the intro put it downs - 'Change Is Gonna Come' - CNN are hoping to lead the way.

UP THE IRISH, 31 Jan 2005
everyone should have a copy of this i only got it the other day and previously only heard jump around and top o the mornin to ya,i had no idea this album would be this good the music and lyrics r tight go and get it now pity they dont have much more material its hard to pick out a fave tune its the orta album u just let play through

The best cd ever, 11 Nov 2004
before i bought this cd I was a fan of house of pain from listening to "jump around".
Now i bought the cd i cannot stop listening to it, every track is amazin (well apart from the jum around remix in my opinion)
It is a very catchy album that i cannot reccomend enough.

Come and get some of this, 20 May 2004
If you want a great album, with excellent music and some really funny lyrics then buy this. Its amongst the best rap-based music I've heard. HoP have blended some brilliant samples with solid beats and pure street poetry. Heaney (the Noble laurette) reckoned Emenim was a poet, I think these guys are in higher league again. I can't recommend it highly enough. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy it but I think you'll enjoy even more if you are.

old skool's cool, 24 Apr 2004
i've been a fan of house of pain's single jump around for years and thisis me just getting the album now.if you like that track you'll enjoy therest of the album.eminem,50 - cent are awful and i'm more into indie androck but this is good record and i'm planning on buying more of the bandsalbums.

Absolutely Excellent, 10 Jan 2003
Like, I'd imagine, most people who've ever bought this album, I went for it off the back of the brilliant single Jump Around. However, surprisingly enough the rest of the album is also of an very high standard. Danny Boy, Guess who's Back and Top o' the Morning to ya are all great funky tracks and there's not really a bad one on here (you get quite a few as well). I can't imagine why this album didn't gain more commercial success, everyone I know who's heard it has loved it and gone and bought their own copy (myself included). Can't recommend this enough. If you like Jump Around, then buy this album NOW.

Where do I start?, 01 Feb 2007
Brother was the first track that jumped out at me, then skipped along til It Girl launched itself into my brain, I can't stop singing it, so catchy but my favourite has to be the Shirley Bassey mix "where do I begin?". Being the owner of most of the top 100 albums in the chart this is my favourite album of the year, quite possibly of many years.

You cant put it down, you have to play again and again. Sing along in the car to it at the top of your lungs and watch the other drivers smile. "Cos you're an IT girl, it could happen to you"

Underrated Classic!, 14 Aug 2008
Great to see so many other reviewers echoing what I'm feeling about this record - its absolute quality!

Love the flow of it, every track is focussed and is a real pleasure to listen to - whilst most people have got/ heard 3 Feet High (and don't get me wrong it's a great album), far less people have heard Stakes is High and its a shame because it shows how much De La Have evolved as a group...

If you don't have it - buy it now! Then drop a review on Amazon telling everyone else how great it is!

Peace

MY FAV DE LA ALBUM, BUY THIS NOW!!, 16 Sep 2005
This is my favourite De La Soul album, if you are a de la soul fan and you dont have this album you are mad!!! buy it now! this album is one of the most overlooked underhyped albums out there, forget '3 feet high' this is the must buy de la soul album out there, fav tracks are bizness, supa emcees, wonce again, dog eat dog, long island degrees, 4 more, you know what all of them there isnt a weak track on this album
***BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

De La`s finest....., 10 Apr 2004
This has got to be De La Souls finest work yet. It is a more mature piece of work whilst containing the bouncy De La carfree style but this album has a very political view with lyrics such as "It seems smiling in public is against the law cos love dont get u through life no more" amongst others. The best track on the album has to be the intro simply because of the flowing freestyle like lyrics and the catchy beat tied in with the simplest of sounds it shows the craftmanship of Posda and Daves emceeing talent even though the track is just over a minute. Other good tracks are The Stakes Is High,The Bizness feat Common, and Big Brother Beat feat Mos Def.Also this album shows a good view into the state of some places in America not getting better at that point(1996).

de la soul mature, 23 Nov 2003
This is the best de la soul album, and clearly a more mature piece of work. The trio have progressed from the reliance on punch-lines and antique samples to more socially concious rhymes and doper-than-dope head-nod compositions.
Three Feet is cool, but it lacks the maturity and depth of this work, and despite the amazing rhyme schemes in De La Soul Is Dead, it just had too many skits and not enough solid beats. Unlike the much overlooked Bulhoone Mindstate, Stake Is High has a perfect balance, every track is dope, with no exception, and it flows brilliantly. The Breaks and The Bizness are two of my favourite De La Soul songs, ill production and assertive lyrics match each other perfectly.
Mos Def makes an appearance on the classic Big Brother Beat, dropping some fresh rhymes "life be nothing but a river and i'm swimming up stream", and here his flow really impresses. Common also steps up and guests on The Bizness, lighting up the mic as usual. Pos, Maseo and Dove really excel lyrically on this album, spitting the "microphone mathematics" and making it look easy.
Buy this record, and let these Supa Emcees tell you something about the self.

De La Soul's Greatest, 28 Aug 2003
The best, but also the most neglected De La Soul album in my oppinion. No real weak tracks here and it's got the fantastic title track; "Stakes is high" - one of my all time favourites.

Enjoy!

Wicked sound track, 26 Dec 2005
A very good film and wicked 2cd of greatest cheeasy classics. From likes of Stars from 54,Grace jones,Blondie,candi station,Diana ross and Syvester etc. Look for these tracks
1.If i could read your mind
4.Love is Really my game
6.Found a cure
10.Please dont let me be misuderstood
13.I need a man
14.Heart of glass
16.Fly robin fly
disc2
1.Studio54
5.Relight my fire
6.You make me feel
8.Love machine
10.Knock on wood
12.Young heart run free
16.Wishing on a star
Generally every song is good a stylish funky makes you feel good.

TWO FOR PUSHING BOUNDARIES, BUT NOTHING ELSE, 10 May 2008
Criticising De La Soul? Are you crazy? They're groundbreakers. They pushed the envelope and allowed hip-hop to expand as a form of music.

True, true, true. Couldn't agree more; they did all that.

Unfortunately, in being so experimental and insisting on putting irritating and extended skits between every track - and sometimes between every skit - they produced very inconsistent music whose rhythm is destroyed further by the aforementioned skits.

Bought this as I bought 'Three Feet High and Rising' on release and, similarly, was disappointed with it. Again, with the exception of one or two tunes. This being marketed more seriously suggested that the silly, self-indulgent skits would be a thing of the past. But no.

Of course, throw a lot of stuff at a wall and some will stick. 'Pease Porridge': good production and an interesting stutter vocal. Novelty does tend to wear off with the vocal though. 'Millie': easily the best tune in terms of beats and rhymes. Others? Well, I'm tired and am head nodding with Gang Starr's 'Hard to Earn' in the headphones and hearing how it should be done.

To sum up though, respect for being out there and creating a space for more consistent performers to fill, but don't let that fool you into thinking you're getting a good album to listen to from end to end, cos you ain't.

Don't believe the hype: it's an exercise in self-indulgence, misplaced arrogance (Kicked Out the House), experimentation and commercialism ('Roller Skating Jam' and 'Ring Ring'), and that's it.



An album of great rap tracks about life, rather than rapping about MCing, 22 Sep 2006
I got this album because I'd heard and loved "Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays'" - I wasn't dissapointed. There are so many funky, jazzy and downright catchy tracks. There's maybe one or two that's a bit dull, but that's 1 or 2 out of 20 tracks, fellas.

Zoom forward 13 or 14 years and it's still a great play. The lyrics are interesting and funny and most importantly, THEY ARE NOT MCING ABOUT MCING - I find nothing more dull than hearing someone rapping that they are they best mo-fo MC this side of Jersee or something similar.

Back to the early 90s, after wearing out my cassette of "De La Soul Is Dead", I then went out and bought "3 feet high and rising" and frankly, I was dissapointed. It's a bit warm and fluffy - not as edgy, not as boundary pushing. Shame. Then I got "Stakes Is High" [sigh] - it's all about what great MCs they are, but all the evidence of this is on "...Is Dead".

It's possible that "De La Soul Is Dead" is the only great hip hop album De La made.

What happens when you rise higher than 3 feet..., 05 Aug 2005
Nostalgic music journo's always cite De La Soul's massively successful debut album "3 Feet High & Rising" as a Hip Hop classic, and yet while few would argue with that sentiment, it was their sophomore LP "De La Soul Is Dead" that, in my humble opinion, was the superior release.

De La Soul obviously had a problem with their 'Daisy Age' concept that formed the backbone of their artistic direction on their first album. Maybe they were sick of the idea, maybe they were worried about getting pigeon-holed as a novelty rap act. So their 2nd album had a much different concept...kill the 'Daisy Age' off completely so they can get on with doing what they do best, make phat Hip Hop music.

Of course, reviews at the time weren't kind. With the first LP so well-received, critics and some fans alike were upset that De La had chosen such a different direction and chose to discredit this album. Bottom line is that "De La Soul Is Dead" has all the ingredients that made "3 Feet..." so compelling (the skits, the Prince Paul production, the wildly-varied subject matter etc.) but rather than get bogged down with 'hippy' stylings and day-glo 70's-esque imagery, De La evolved with the times. Perhaps they were too far ahead of their time with this one, who knows.

So much has been said about the tracks on this album...all I'll say is that rarely do you find an album as cohesive as "De La Soul Is Dead" which is devoid of filler, contains at least a half-dozen stand-out singles and some of the most original lyrics and production you'll ever hear. Buy it NOW!

De La is still alive........, 23 Apr 2004
.........but don't kick quite as hard as their first release, or BuhlooneMindstate. For me, this album is too long and has far too many skits. Ifthese skits where removed the album would be alot doper, but after twolistens the record just becomes annoying. There trade mark innovativerhyme schemes and interesting concepts (check out "oodles of o's) are allin check, but the beats don't always match those on Three Feet High.

Flawed masterpiece, 29 Jan 2003
Finding it impossible to follow up on their instant classic "3 Feet High and Rising" and sick of the misinterpretations of their "hippie" message De La Soul released this album as a pre-emptive strike on the critics and fanbase they had aquired over the previous 18 months. "De La Soul is dead" is everything that their debut wasn't; cynical("Ring ring ring"),angry(My brother's a basehead")and full of black humour ("Mollie pulled a pistol on Santa").Everything that is, except brilliant and imaginative. One of the few concept albums in rap that bears repeated listening, even the most obnoxious sentiments on the album ("Bitties in the BK Lounge") are laced with that distinctive De La sense of humour, although at times the joke seems to have worn itself out ("Not over till the fat lady plays the demo")Bold, brash and brilliant, this is a flawed masterpiece.

Happy Music, 23 Jan 2006
For anyone who enjoys African influenced music, wants to enjoy it at it's most liveliest & lift up your spirits this is the album for you....from start to end it invokes a party feel, a happy vibe, a live lfe right now feel...buy it, you will LOVE it...play it in the morning and you'll breeze through the day...well done Bob and friends, it's a blinder...I challenge anyone not to dance their sox off :o))

Huge ! It gonna burn the dancefloor, 29 Apr 2005
Africanism collection is really so great !
"Zookey" is really huge ! I think it gonna burn the dancefloor this summer like the other summer bomb from ComboStar "Shiny Idol" !!!!

new york finist reunited, 11 Apr 2003
this is a exelant album and a must for any east side fan.these two g's are as real as it gets, some top traks including B EZ feat the one and only nas,the dj premeir produced "invincable" and a more soft chilled tune " all we got is us "the album is simply a masterpiece with real rap and tight production.

STUNNING, 29 Oct 2001
This is the best album in my collection, which includes Dr.Dre and Snoop Dogg. Before i listened to this album, i had heard 'invincible' and that was my favourite track. Now, i don't have a favourite 'cos they're all excellent. Its the first album in which i like all the tracks, and particular standouts are 'invincible', with its piano riff and nice lyrics by capone. 'All we got is us' is a typical queens track with its piano tunes and tough lyrics and is one to sit down and listen to. 'B EZ' and 'Gunz in da air' are the complete opposite with bouncy bass lines and just makes you smile. 'Full Steazy' is one of the best on the album and girls will even like it. It has a marvellous xylophone laid over a full on bass line and the overall effect makes it outstanding. Add cameos by Nas, Mobb Deep and Foxy Brown, and the remarkable lyrical team of CNN, the only question is, why haven't you bought it yet?

This album is HOT, 12 May 2001
From start to Finish, this really is a Bangin' album. First off is the eerie Phone Time, it has a piercing backing track, and it's about Capone in jail talkin' to his friend Noreaga on the outside. But what is a good track is the ill Bang Bang. With Capone, Noreaga and Foxy Brown chantin' their lyrics over the wicked backin' track. As soon as you turn on the song you know it's Noreaga and the crew 'cos the first few lines are just full of profanities. Also Full Steezy is a smokin' track. It sounds like it's just come out of play school and has been done on a xylophone. Another pumpin' track is the beautiful Invicible, it's got this mellow piano tune with Noreaga and Capone doin' their stuff over the top of it, it's a mellow but upbeat joint with Noreaga on the chorus. But it wouldn't be right if there was no party anthem and Gunz in Da Air does just that deliveing you a head boppin' body groovin' tune.So if you don't mind a lot of swearing in your tunes. Then this album is hot, with ill cameo's from Mobb Deep and Goldfingaz. Back from his time in jail, Capone is back on fine form and with Noreaga they really are unstoppable.

WE AIN'T THUGGED OUT YET!, 21 Nov 2000
CNN return after their debut album - The War Report - with the highly anticipated Reunion. Once again we treated to tales of the thug life over hardcore beats. Both MCs, hailing from Lefrak and Queens, compliment each other with their very different styles and sound while production remains tight with a plentiful supply of headnodding street anthems. From 'Bang Bang' to 'Queens Finest' the album is a soundscape of New York City, remaining sinister, serious and dark but maintaining a freshness throughout. With a very possible contender for Best Hip Hop Song of 2000 - 'Invincible' (produced by DJ Premier) - this album will certainly be resounding in the air for a long time. As the intro put it downs - 'Change Is Gonna Come' - CNN are hoping to lead the way.

Simply Fantastic!, 23 Nov 2007
Great album from this Canadian girl band fronted by Transman Lucas Silveira whose singing and stage presence is simply hypnotising.

The best tracks go from the sweet love song "Nobody Else Will" to the hard rocking "Eyes in the back of my head" and the brilliant "Complicated".

Silveira really takes this band to places others can't reach. I cannot recommend this highly enough, just unbelievably good.