The Craft
by Blackalicious
  • Record Label: Anti
  • Release Date: Sep 27, 2005
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Blender
    60
    Full of clever wordplay one moment, kind of pretentious the next. [Oct 2005, p.134]
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  2. The Guardian
    60
    Around the halfway mark, Gift of Gab succumbs to his nerdiest, wordiest tendencies and Chief Xcel starts running out of new ideas - or at least good ones.
  3. Uncut
    60
    The finest moments... prove to be the same stripped-down verbally deft hip-hop that made their name. [Oct 2005, p.100]
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  5. cokemachineglow
    58
    Mostly, what made Blackalicious’s last two proper albums so engaging was how Gab chose to reel in the tentacles of his glossolalia, and what makes The Craft such a disappointment is how he forgets that restraint, instead opting to crowd the tracks with ceaseless, pretentious sound.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. Thur
    Sep 28, 2005
    9
    And again an amazing album from Blackalicious. Not as good as Blazing Arrow but what album is? It's not as experimental (no Chemical And again an amazing album from Blackalicious. Not as good as Blazing Arrow but what album is? It's not as experimental (no Chemical Calestenics) but is has everything what makes an album great: terrific MCing from Gab en wonderful soulful beats from Xcel.… Full Review »
  2. AlbertM
    Sep 27, 2005
    8
    The aptly named rapper has honed his gift to a sharp, double edged musical sword. My Pen and Pad is an ear buffet of our favorite The aptly named rapper has honed his gift to a sharp, double edged musical sword. My Pen and Pad is an ear buffet of our favorite Blackalicious rhythms. What is missing here is the explosive creativity of Nia & Blazing Arrow. It feels like the paragraph president is on vacation. However, it clobbers other rap acts in the biz today.… Full Review »
  3. davo
    Sep 26, 2005
    7
    Blazing Arrow is still one of my favorite albums and so I had high hopes for the follow up. Perhaps too high. There are a few great songs, Blazing Arrow is still one of my favorite albums and so I had high hopes for the follow up. Perhaps too high. There are a few great songs, World of Vibrations, Powers is fun also... there are cool moments for Gab and the Lateef cameo isn't wasted (like Gab's was on LB's CD). There's no Paragraph President, Alphabet Aerobics, etc. It's not out of the park but it has its moments.… Full Review »
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