Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
by Outkast
  • Record Label: La Face
  • Release Date: Sep 23, 2003
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 401 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 356 out of 401
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 401
  3. Negative: 22 out of 401

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. DavidH
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    absolutely incredibly orginal, outkast continue to redefine hip hop and r'n'b, while pushing the envelope to create an album that is jam-packed with weird, unpredictable, thoroughly exciting tracks, like nothing you've heard before. I think it is impossible to compare the two discs, while both are beautifully flawed, they both contain so many different strengths. While the absolutely incredibly orginal, outkast continue to redefine hip hop and r'n'b, while pushing the envelope to create an album that is jam-packed with weird, unpredictable, thoroughly exciting tracks, like nothing you've heard before. I think it is impossible to compare the two discs, while both are beautifully flawed, they both contain so many different strengths. While the love below is sexier, more soulful, with wildly bizzare hooks and some softer chilled songs, it is perfectly clear that the love below is a redefining r'n'b album, speakerboxxx redefines hip hop, containing very lively catchy jazzy songs, and then becoming very dark, more street and urban, still containing wildly catchy hooks, and both are emotionally resonant. while it is impossible to rule out one as better, everyone will have their favourite, depending on their preference to either r'n'b or hip hop. overall, one of the most successful albums ever, and my favourite album ever!… Expand
  2. RabZ
    Nov 2, 2003
    10
    Hey ya! 2 for 1....Great. What kan be better then this.
  3. BoydB
    Oct 14, 2003
    10
    this album is there 2nd best next to there 1st one.... i did not think it could be done and they did it.....
  4. jorman
    Oct 15, 2003
    10
    Can somebody suck the underwear out of my ass cheeks? I mean, seriously, I feel like a Banana-Mör bar. Robin Williams is on the PHONE. THE PHONE.
  5. BrandonR
    Oct 17, 2003
    10
    This is one of the best Outkast albums. A lot of people do not understand the statements that Andre is to make, but that why he added 3000, because he is ahead of his time. To all the critics of 3000, close your mouth and open your mind. Stop looking at the way he dresses and listen to the music.
  6. BennieJ
    Oct 19, 2003
    9
    If there was ever a doubt about who is #1 - ERASE IT! Funky, complex, brilliance!
  7. diggerdig
    Dec 11, 2003
    9
    I like every song on The Love Below. I really think "Hey Ya" is the best song. Andre 3000 was a genius when creating this song. I especially like the line"give me some surgar, i am your neighbor ahh" and "shake it like a poloroid picture". Those lines are just genius.
  8. deucejake
    Dec 12, 2003
    9
    Anybody who doesn't like this album should be ripped apart by wild dogs and then slowly fed into the incinerator of darkest hell. If you don't like Outkast you don't like music. And you're an un-American terrorist (just like King George II).
  9. TerrencW
    Oct 23, 2003
    10
    Perfection of one's art has been attained. If perfection is attainable. OUTKAST has found it and went miles beyond it.
  10. omega374
    Oct 25, 2003
    10
    i haven't heard it yet, but i think since big boi and andre 3000 are hot they deserve a ten. Detroit WHAT
  11. zachdogg
    Oct 28, 2003
    10
    pure genius... adrenaline rush on both sides.. Outer Space meets parts unknown.. great job to both.. Speakerboxx the slightly better cd though..
  12. NealS
    Sep 12, 2003
    10
    Great album, the first disk continues the 'outkast' feeling. The 2nd CD is excellent in it's own way. It explores a lot of untouched areas by hip-hop artist. When i noticed the track with Norah Jones (Take Off Your Cool), I was shocked. Great purchase.
  13. AbramB
    Sep 18, 2003
    10
    This album is weird as hell at first...keep listening. PLEASE. This albums takes a keen year to understand it. Keep listening to it over and over again. It may be too overwhelming at first, but once you listen through it a few times you'll love it.
  14. JasonC
    Sep 22, 2003
    10
    This particular cd far surpassed anything that had ever been attempted to be created. The love below is the decades best most intresting album. Me being from the south, Huntsville, Alabama i am proud to play this cd anywhere i go. Not to be forgotten Big Boi's Speakerboxxx shows why outkast, cee lo green, and ludacris are the tightest lyracist out. Frankly put these guys is (off the brain).
  15. CoreyW
    Sep 23, 2003
    9
    Sophistifunk - is this what we are supposed to call it? I do believe so. Number of people shot and drugs taken in this album? Zero. So it doesn't fit the "mold" that's been placed on "Rap" by the big Record Labels who refuse to sign great acts and instead promote former drug runners and gangsters... Outkast blows everything out there in the big poppy prefab world and delivers a Sophistifunk - is this what we are supposed to call it? I do believe so. Number of people shot and drugs taken in this album? Zero. So it doesn't fit the "mold" that's been placed on "Rap" by the big Record Labels who refuse to sign great acts and instead promote former drug runners and gangsters... Outkast blows everything out there in the big poppy prefab world and delivers a very fine-tuned and genre-busting CD. Great album, enough said. E-Zines like Stylus shouldn't be counted in the whole of the Metacritic rating system, they obviously listen to too much 50 Cent and The Neptunes (which would make anyone sane enough not to be swayed by Pharell's bank account throw up), not enough "real rap."… Expand
  16. Ashekyssss
    Sep 23, 2003
    10
    its hot!
  17. kenm
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Perfect. @ unique and totally different cd's that are the two best hi hop cd's of the year by themselve's. Outkast has outdone itself again.
  18. AshS
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    I give this album a Super 10. Outkasts' style and and content are ever changing. Anyone whose tired of all the same ideas and concepts that are going on today can appreciate the diversity brought to the table by this flawless duo. The album is diverse and touches every emotion and feeling inside my body. It takes me on a journey to seek out the many sides and personas of the group. I give this album a Super 10. Outkasts' style and and content are ever changing. Anyone whose tired of all the same ideas and concepts that are going on today can appreciate the diversity brought to the table by this flawless duo. The album is diverse and touches every emotion and feeling inside my body. It takes me on a journey to seek out the many sides and personas of the group. Anytime an artist can let their fans in like that it must be appreciated. … Expand
  19. PoundsKbfunk
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Q magazine writes, "The Love Below isn't really hip hop at all", but so what if it not hip hop-it's better than hip hop-it's music!! Album of the year! Hands down!
  20. AdamM
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Outkast continue to flip it better than any group in the game. Continuing to diversify as their careers lengthen, they're sure to impress us for years to come. Dope underground shit: Viktor Vaughn - Vaudeville Villain
  21. Jeff
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    Few commercial artists around take as many risks as this album does. Buy this CD now...thank me later.
  22. daver
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    about 40 tracks. over 2 hours of listening pleasure. each song hits another unique topic and takes the listener to another train of thought all together. i think some people are afraid to tell the truth that they like the solo debuts from this duo because if there are too many critics saying its a masterpiece, outkast could stay this way. hell, if they continue to make music this great, i about 40 tracks. over 2 hours of listening pleasure. each song hits another unique topic and takes the listener to another train of thought all together. i think some people are afraid to tell the truth that they like the solo debuts from this duo because if there are too many critics saying its a masterpiece, outkast could stay this way. hell, if they continue to make music this great, i won't mind.… Expand
  23. kaydee
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    This is by far the best Outkast album ever. READ MY TEXTThis album will sell 10 million copies by the end of the year.
  24. lewisalex
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    love adre3000's cd, but big bois is garbage. what they need to do is stay together and keep putting out the hits.
  25. JaredB
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    Phat, ill, and everything else inbetween, a true collaboration of talents. Allowing the personalities of each to shine in one beautiful jewelry case is my heaven! Thank you Outkast for breaking your second release into my top 10 albums of all time. Aquemni, meet SpeakerboxxTheLoveBelow.
  26. carlos
    Sep 27, 2003
    10
    this album is insane and couragous it better get album of the year
  27. DCipher_7
    Sep 27, 2003
    10
    Outkast has once again raised the bar for artist in the hiphop industry. Big Boi reclaims his stand as one of the top mcs in the industry when he rips thru a variety of different tracks from crunk, to southernfunkdafied on his solo shot. Andre3000 has litterally done the equivalent to reinventing the wheel in the industry by single handedly becoming the protocol for every artist in every Outkast has once again raised the bar for artist in the hiphop industry. Big Boi reclaims his stand as one of the top mcs in the industry when he rips thru a variety of different tracks from crunk, to southernfunkdafied on his solo shot. Andre3000 has litterally done the equivalent to reinventing the wheel in the industry by single handedly becoming the protocol for every artist in every genre. One word to describe his album...WOE! … Expand
  28. EmersonD
    Sep 28, 2003
    10
    Arguable flaws, truly visionary, I would really rate them separately as Speakerboxxx 9 and The Love Below 10, but putting them together Andre brings up the average just enough. Best rap group ever, and not an easy thing to admit either.
  29. icecold
    Nov 2, 2004
    10
    No one has ever done it , two of the greatest cd's packages together? It like a two for one lapdance! CLASSIC.
  30. dougd
    Feb 12, 2004
    10
    Outkasts is tight but what is the deal with all the pianno music on the Love below,but i like Hey ya ,and the way u move, so gotta give it up soooo. i gavem a 10
Page:

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Album of 2003
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2003
8
#8 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Apr 17, 2012
    100
    OutKast's duo have made a cohesive statement that not only cries at the boundaries of rap music but vaults over them to a place where the music sounds like neon colors and the only rule is that you must free your mind. Your ears will follow.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    90
    The genius of past Outkast isn't diluted or diminished across these disks, rather it's doubled, expanded and explored. [Sep 2003, p.99]
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    80
    Speakerboxxx--by itself the album of the year--makes the failings of The Love Below all the more evident.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »