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Dying In Stereo Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: This mini-album marks the debut for the New York-based all-female hip-hop trio (think "Beastie Girls" and you won't be too far off).
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. The ladies of Northern State deliver funky breaks and tight grooves on Dying in Stereo, and keep the hip-hop flavor without being vulgar and crass.
  2. Spin
    83
    Northern State's skills and we-can-do-this exuberance transcend what otherwise might be shtick. [Aug 2003, p.116]
  3. Blender
    80
    Refreshingly... [Northern State] would rather rhyme about feminism and softball than about hip-hop's tired polarities. [#17, p.139]
  4. It's like taking hip-hop of the early '80s and jettisoning it into the now: update the metaphors, the references, and the technology but not the beats, the flows, or the vocal stylings.
  5. Uncut
    70
    Inpressive stuff, but like the Beastie Boys' tinnitus-inducing whines, Northern State's gonzoid yelps suffer from diminishing returns. [Jun 2003, p.110]
  6. Juvenile, simpering, weak, preachy, pointless and accidentally snooty, Dying in Stereo is about as empowering as Legally Blonde 2.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Negative: 4 out of 11
  1. FoundinLibrary
    Dec 18, 2003
    10
    I liked this. I saw it in the library then threw it back down. Never heard of them. I check out a lot of the hit Rap garbage. Jay-Z, 50 cent, I liked this. I saw it in the library then threw it back down. Never heard of them. I check out a lot of the hit Rap garbage. Jay-Z, 50 cent, Nelly. What ever is a hit. It's all lame. I gave up on that crap. I finally decided to check this out having no idea. I figured it would be garbage. But since they were white, I figured what the hell. It's a change. I know what the blacks are gonna do. Vile, putrid, jewelry, hoes, cars, guns, drugs,partying,clowning. Tanning on the beach or by the pool in their videos. Yeah that's realistic! Lousy backing music. Tired themes. When I heard it, I was plesantly surprised. Hey hip hop and rap don't have to be exculsively done by Blacks. Why not let whites do it, without getting all over their case. This is just 3 friends from way back having a good time. If it works, fine. If it don't work, fine. I like the backing music. Not one boom-bap beat that's been done to nausiating infinity. Expand
  2. DanielleM
    Jul 7, 2004
    10
    These girls have the smartest and funniest lyrics heard in a while. Northern State reminds us that hip hop in no longer about race or gender These girls have the smartest and funniest lyrics heard in a while. Northern State reminds us that hip hop in no longer about race or gender but providing a voice. So to all of the white suburban girls looking for their voice....look no further. Expand
  3. nigsbig
    Jan 28, 2005
    10
    damn fine up beat
  4. ReggieE.
    Jul 30, 2003
    8
    Given the undue hype that that overrated, mumble-mouthed thug known as 50 Cent has received all-year I'm kinda glad to hear something Given the undue hype that that overrated, mumble-mouthed thug known as 50 Cent has received all-year I'm kinda glad to hear something like this get some buzz. If cats with real skills like Talib Kweli and J-Live can't get any buzz then why not give some love to these three Long Island gals who remember a time when hip-hop used to be fun and witty. And unlike Lil Kim, Foxy and Da Brat these ladies aren't so quick to sell themselves as nymphomaniacs. It's all about partying, it's all about rhyming and it's all good. Expand
  5. Amy
    Jul 23, 2003
    4
    Catchy - yes, but these poor girls have the political edge ALL WRONG. Most hilarious: "I'm a libertarian... the country's getting Catchy - yes, but these poor girls have the political edge ALL WRONG. Most hilarious: "I'm a libertarian... the country's getting ugly, but don't blame me 'cause I voted for Gore." So why wouldn't you have voted for Harry Browne? Being a libertarian myself, it seems silly that you would compromise yourself as to vote for somebody else out of your party??? Let alone GORE who is completely on the other edge of the spectrum from all other libertarians. What? Expand
  6. Aphex
    Nov 2, 2003
    0
    Make no mistakes about it, this is the worst CD ever released. This disc is talentless, preachy and insulting to anyone with a functioning Make no mistakes about it, this is the worst CD ever released. This disc is talentless, preachy and insulting to anyone with a functioning cerebral cortex. Collapse
  7. JoelT
    Aug 31, 2004
    0
    Although I don't usually agree with Pitckforkmedia.com's reviews, their assessment of Northern State is spot on. The only reason Although I don't usually agree with Pitckforkmedia.com's reviews, their assessment of Northern State is spot on. The only reason this band is popular is because 1. they are all female. 2. they are white I hate to say this but it's true. On the surface they are something easily marketable, a bunch of new england liberal arts college girls busting into the scene. But listen to the lyrics (unimaginative and forced) and their beats (same), and you'll see there isn't much under the surface. I have seen them in the concert before the CD came out and was shocked to see all the good reviews they got. Did any of the critics actually listen to the CD? Or just look at the press kit that fell on the desk? When I saw them in concert I really thought I was seeing some B-level college band that was lucky enough to get the show. Even the other musicians in the band had a look that said "what the heck are WE doing here?" If you are hard pressed for some hip-hop that fits a bill similar to this band, do yourself a favor and get Luscious Jackson or some old Beastie Boys. And if you want a fun party band, well get some 80s compilations, probably be a lot cheaper and won't piss you off in the end. In short, this band lowers the quality of hip-hop by being so highly accoladed. Expand

See all 11 User Reviews