Beauty And The Beat
by Edan
  • Record Label: Lewis
  • Release Date: Mar 29, 2005
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Stylus Magazine
    91
    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.
  2. The A.V. Club
    90
    He's made a cosmic artistic leap and fused together decades, styles, genres, and races with his remarkable sophomore effort, Beauty And The Beat.
  3. Urb
    90
    With an awe-inspiring imagination in tow, Edan drops his own distinct magical mystery tour. [Apr 2005, p.101]
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  5. Neumu.net
    90
    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.
  6. AllMusic
    90
    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.
  7. Pitchfork
    88
    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.
  8. RapReviews.com
    85
    "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.
  9. cokemachineglow
    81
    His rhymes are intelligent and image-packed, his drums are classic, and his inspired sample choices come together to make a striking aesthetic statement.
  10. Mojo
    80
    If it has a fault, it is that its relentlessly innovative music can overshadow often superlative lyrics. [Apr 2005, p.102]
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  11. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    It's sucker punch after sucker punch of syllable-swapping fun.
  12. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    It's like 'Pet Sounds' born and raised in the Bronx. [26 Mar 2005, p.51]
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  13. ShakingThrough.net
    80
    The overall feel is of an academic exercise in hip-hop cultural anthropology.
  14. Prefix Magazine
    80
    There is little doubt Edan is an innovator on the production tip, but he’s not nearly as talented an emcee.
  15. Uncut
    80
    Edan's punch and broad vision distinguish him from the rest of the pack. [Jun 2005, p.110]
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  16. Lost At Sea
    80
    The first three-quarters of Beauty and the Beat stands as something to be admired.
  17. Q Magazine
    70
    He may not have Mos [Def's] lyrical depth, but his vocal style is assured and refreshingly direct. [Apr 2005, p.121]
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  18. Dusted Magazine
    60
    The record is more about preserving hip-hop culture that about creating something fresh.
  19. Delusions of Adequacy
    50
    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.

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 3 out of 36
  1. daniels
    Jan 23, 2007
    10
    This is some hot stuff. Beauty is one of the best beats. Ever.
  2. isisisgood
    Feb 16, 2006
    9
    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 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.… Full Review »
  3. Kimo
    Feb 5, 2006
    10
    The album is wholistic and coherent, a psychadellic rap album that somehow can still be classified as traditional while at the same time 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.… Full Review »
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