- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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Com comes off as alternately uncomfortable and downright lazy, half-speaking-- or worse, singing-- new-age revelations to the masses.
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MixerA hip-hop record brimming with soul and artistry. [Jan 2003, p.74]
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Common has just gone way, way off the hip-hop map.
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Outfitted in this music, however, Common's pretensions stand up and do jumping jacks.
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If Prince had ever successfully come to grips with hip hop, this is what the result might have sounded like.
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Electric Circus is a wild, vibrant trip billowing with purple-haze guitars, ethereal choruses and warped scratching.
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This is a brilliant, visionary album and needs rewarding with units - MTV won't have the scoobiest what to do, radio programmers will freak, and hip-hop will, once again, move forward.
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Electric Circus does suffer from that which ails many contemporary hip-hop albums -- too many guests and a generally lengthy program drag this one down a tad. Nonetheless, Electric Circus is a brave and ruthless statement wrapped in sincerity.
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UncutTo be filed alongside the Root's recent Phrenology. [Mar 2003, p.95]
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The Electric Circus turns out to be a place that exists in Hip-hopolis and Rawk City and Bacharachville and DixieLand and Heaven, all at the same time. Holy crap, people, Com did it: he broke on through to the other side.
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Like The Roots' new Phrenology, Electric Circus possesses many of the weaknesses associated with ambition: a bloated running time, the faint aroma of pretension, an obligatory spoken-word piece, and songs that outlast their welcome.
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Alternative PressEven the psychedelic overreach shows a most uncommon artist at work. [Feb 2003, p.64]
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Although he can be self-righteous, scattered, and grim, a team of truly youthful-minded producers is there to color the gray.
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While Talib's Quality and The Roots' Phrenology break new ground for both acts, Electric Circus is clearly the most adventurous of the trio of releases.
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Q MagazineIt works... stretching rap into weird new shapes. [Feb 2003, p.97]
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While those seeking a quick fix of cheap thrills hip hop will be disappointed, anyone who likes their music lush, multi-layered and lyrical should pick this up without delay.
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So, is this genius or is this madness? As enjoyable as it is on occasion, Im inclined to side with the latter.
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MojoA record of startling breadth. [Feb 2003, p.96]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 22 out of 25
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Mixed: 2 out of 25
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Negative: 1 out of 25
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Aug 18, 2014
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ScottySAug 1, 2006
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TylerHJan 22, 2006