All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Stylus Magazine

Edan has lowered his tone, beefed up his content, mastered an independent, creative production style and crafted a concise album that makes a strong stab for early album of the year bids.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

He's made a cosmic artistic leap and fused together decades, styles, genres, and races with his remarkable sophomore effort, Beauty And The Beat.

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Urb

With an awe-inspiring imagination in tow, Edan drops his own distinct magical mystery tour. [Apr 2005, p.101]

Neumu.net

What really puts the album over the top is the way Edan manages to twist the DNA of two distinctly throwback styles, '60s psych-rock and '80s golden-age hip-hop, into a 2005 mutant plaid platypus.

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All Music Guide

If hip-hop had existed in the days of the Filmore, Woodstock and the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Edan would have been right on the bus.

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Pitchfork

Beauty and the Beat sounds like a record made by someone who once devoured the catalog and history of his favorite artists, traced their lineage as far back as he could, and has discovered his place in the genealogy. With that enlightenment, Edan is no longer an impersonation of his idols, but one of their peers.

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RapReviews.com

"Beauty and the Beat" is a rare, valuable record that channels two markedly different types of music into a new one, a collage of sounds that hasn't been heard in a very long time.

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cokemachineglow

His rhymes are intelligent and image-packed, his drums are classic, and his inspired sample choices come together to make a striking aesthetic statement.

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New Musical Express

It's like 'Pet Sounds' born and raised in the Bronx. [26 Mar 2005, p.51]

Mojo

If it has a fault, it is that its relentlessly innovative music can overshadow often superlative lyrics. [Apr 2005, p.102]

Tiny Mix Tapes

It's sucker punch after sucker punch of syllable-swapping fun.

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Lost At Sea

The first three-quarters of Beauty and the Beat stands as something to be admired.

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ShakingThrough.net

The overall feel is of an academic exercise in hip-hop cultural anthropology.

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Prefix Magazine

There is little doubt Edan is an innovator on the production tip, but he’s not nearly as talented an emcee.

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Uncut

Edan's punch and broad vision distinguish him from the rest of the pack. [Jun 2005, p.110]

Q Magazine

He may not have Mos [Def's] lyrical depth, but his vocal style is assured and refreshingly direct. [Apr 2005, p.121]

Dusted Magazine

The record is more about preserving hip-hop culture that about creating something fresh.

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Delusions of Adequacy

If Edan can sort out the dismayingly schizophrenic nature of Beauty and the Beat, he could harness his immense potential as both a rapper and lyricist and create something pretty cool, especially if he gets guest-MCs who perform as well as Insight, Percee P, and Mr. Lif do on this album.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 30 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

daniel s gave it a10:
This is some hot stuff. Beauty is one of the best beats. Ever.

isis isgood gave it a9:
ooh yah is good. he no rap bout de tings him angered wit. jus de tings dat make de sun shine sparkle. him a sweet child of de warm cosmic winds. ya go get yaself dis nice ting. tell em cleo sent ya na.

Kimo gave it a10:
The album is wholistic and coherent, a psychadellic rap album that somehow can still be classified as traditional while at the same time breaking the boundries of the often stagnant rap formula.

jay gave it a10:
best of 2005 for sure, lets hope 2006 brings us more albums like this. best beats of the last 5 years for sure. this album is sick

Dope Cope gave it a10:
A refreshing, original, intelligent, and emphatic sophomore effort by Edan. My favorite album of '05.

peaches and cream gave it a10:
neglect what they say and buy it. edan as a toddler was cute, and he cute rhyme here! psychedelic perfection. izzit?

tyler f gave it a5:
overrated

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Beauty And The Beat

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