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Mojo

His bellowed cadences are as timeless and elemental as the blues. [Nov 2005, p.98]

Q Magazine

Yet for all the nostalgia, the lurching strut of tracks such as Boom Ditty and Breaktime remains undeniably potent and contemporary. [Dec 2005, p.156]

All Music Guide

The skimpy run time is noticeable and downright perplexing coming from an album that ambitiously delivers otherwise.

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RapReviews.com

I cautiously recommend "Distortion" to Run-D.M.C. fans as being a lot better than their unceremonious disaster of a final album "Crown Royal" while openly admitting anybody younger than 18 may not relate to it and pass right on by to something else.

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Blender

Despite the occasional misstep... it's a welcome album to anyone who wishes the past 15 years never happened to Run-D.M.C.'s legacy. [Nov 2005, p.139]

Pitchfork

This album is almost a non-entity.

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Rolling Stone

A CD of biblical rap would have been vastly more interesting than just tepid updates of the Run-DMC sound. [3 Nov 2005, p.96]

Entertainment Weekly

An awkward attempt that neither improves upon nor updates the trio's original blueprint. [28 Oct 2005, p.89]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes

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

Benjamin G gave it a10:
It's sad to see a hip-hop album come out that actually brings something new to the genre -- oddly by looking back at its history -- getting trashed by no nothing "professional" reviewers. Heavily sampled rock rhythms blend well with the 80's beats, avoiding the mushy nu-metal sound. Lyrically, Rev Run does bring himself into a lot of his lyrics, but what rapper doesn't? Few, and here, he's putting himself more into an observer, not spending all the album pumping himself up as many mainstream acts do. Of course, intelligent arrangements and lyrics don't fly well with mainstream media, and Pitchfork always too busy being pretentious stuck-ups to even bother to muster up a competant review. This album is good stuff. If you listen to hip-hop and tire of the mainstream sludge spouting off about hoes and bling, then you deserve to get it. While the playing length is short, the quality is there -- no in between track filler, poor arrangements, or needless verse/chorus reptitions.

J C gave it a3:
Isn't it odd how the first three user reviews for this record are all about the same length, with the same eye for grammar, and basically the same manner of writing? Isn't it odd that ALL three of them give this record a 10, yet the best that any of the 8 critics gave it was an 8? Doesn't something smell a little fishy? Like perhaps, a record label underling surfing the music review sites on the web? Hmm...anyway...This record is weak, it would really sour Rev Run's reputation...if he wasn't doing that Run's House show...

Douglas somone gave it a10:
This CD is a godsend from the mid 80's. Although a bit short, it satisfies the need for quality rap that has not been delivered by today's rappers. Run is a true artist of the genre. Its fun and energizing to listen to his music, while not having to put up with the gloating of cash, women, and cars like today's rapper. Definitely a 10.

Gilbert S gave it a10:
I gave it a 10. I enjoyed it a serious head knocker, bit short but definatly a good album and worth buying. Rev Run brings old school rap back to remind us that Hip Hop isnt only about money, violence and big booty freeks. Thanks run Hip Hop was getting soo boring...:)

Joe Mickey K gave it a10:
How can I give this album anything but a 10??? Distortion is the most supremely magnificently performed and produced rap album ever made. 80's rap has been resurrected in 2005. Distortion will win a Grammy award no matter what's its sales are. Genuine rap and hip-hop aficionados will have to recognize it's worth. Distortion will herald Rev Run's placement into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 or 2007.

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