3001: A Laced Odyssey
by Flatbush Zombies
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 60
  3. Negative: 3 out of 60
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  1. andrilitvynchuk
    Aug 12, 2023
    8
    Those guys are really killing it. No label but they are doing their thing and they are doing it hell good
  2. clem666
    May 30, 2021
    6
    First official album for the Flatbush Zombies trio, especially known for their fire freestyles, epic punchlines, clever lyrics, top notch flow and helped by the incredible production of Erick the Architect. I started listening to them with their second LP 'Vacation In Hell' which sounded way more consistent and worked out than '3001: A Laced Odyssey'.

    Here it feels like the boys are    First official album for the Flatbush Zombies trio, especially known for their fire freestyles, epic punchlines, clever lyrics, top notch flow and helped by the incredible production of Erick the Architect. I started listening to them with their second LP 'Vacation In Hell' which sounded way more consistent and worked out than '3001: A Laced Odyssey'.

    Here it feels like the boys are still searching their inner strenght and brand. Some lines appear to be particularly tasteless or totally lack punch and ferocity. Erick Arc Elliott also did a less qualitative job here according to me. Beats go from absolutely generic to quite interesting without ever being really compelling. We have less tracks on this, which facilitate the cohesiveness of tracks (and god knows it was not the case of 'Vacation In Hell' unfortunately). Flatbush Zombies however decided to craft longer songs in order to explore a bit more the abilities of Erick (like on the end of 'The Ascencion'). Yet this will not give the project the scope and persuasiveness it originally needed.    … Expand
  3. Edp446
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    Great album from start to finish, no filler songs, great production and excellent raps
  4. Jensen67
    May 23, 2017
    8
    Great album from a great group although I prefer Better Off Dead this album is still quite nice and i would recommend it to any hiphop fan.

    Best songs: Ascension / New Phone, Who Dis? / Trade-Off
  5. SergioV
    Nov 17, 2016
    9
    88/100. Flatbush Zombies are the best rap trio out there right now and it's because of the production, the verses, and the feel. Nothing else compares and this album does not disappoint.
  6. Mcgillacuddy
    Oct 22, 2016
    8
    The Flatbush Zombies debut album hits with a certain audience. For me, it was a good experience, featuring rock solid lyricism, storytelling, and some of the greatest rhythms I've heard in a long time.
  7. olidox
    Mar 28, 2016
    5
    The lack of use of samples results in beats which sound a lot less colourful and exciting than their previous 2 mixtapes. They're really not doing anything they haven't done before, it's just a lot more toned down here. Juice needs to stick to being the chill stoner rapper of the group, when he tries to rap fast it's a disaster (RIPCD case in point.) At only 12 tracks you really can'tThe lack of use of samples results in beats which sound a lot less colourful and exciting than their previous 2 mixtapes. They're really not doing anything they haven't done before, it's just a lot more toned down here. Juice needs to stick to being the chill stoner rapper of the group, when he tries to rap fast it's a disaster (RIPCD case in point.) At only 12 tracks you really can't afford to have as much filler as they have here. Fairly disappointing debut compared to what they have shown they are capable of in the past… Expand
  8. Cypher_ATL
    Mar 28, 2016
    7
    This album had a lot of build-up, and for many fans, I think this album will come through for them. These guys are really comfortable with each other, and I see a very bright future for this group. The rapid wordplay and rhymes are very impressive, but I do think they could touch it up a little bit more, and also put deeper meanings behind their lyrics as well. I think they need to go backThis album had a lot of build-up, and for many fans, I think this album will come through for them. These guys are really comfortable with each other, and I see a very bright future for this group. The rapid wordplay and rhymes are very impressive, but I do think they could touch it up a little bit more, and also put deeper meanings behind their lyrics as well. I think they need to go back and forth more whenever they’re rapping to show even more comfort between themselves, I think that would help them a lot. The production was a bit sloppy a few moments on this project, but I do like the same tone played throughout the album. Also, if you’re a fan of albums with big collaborations and features on it, you won’t really be into it on that specific aspect, but it’s still an enjoyable project. My favorite songs are A Spike Lee Joint, Bounce, and Good Grief, I felt that those outputs really stood out against the other tracks on the album. Some of the weaker songs on the other hand for me were Fly Away, Ascension, and Trade-Off. I feel that this was a project specifically for their die-hard fans, and I do think they have the potential of becoming big in the future.… Expand
  9. swagkonyjohnson
    Mar 16, 2016
    6
    The Flatbush Zombies' debut is not bad, but it's unfortunately underwhelming considering the high expectations created by their last mixtape BetterOffDEAD and the general hype leading up to this project. Lyrically the crew is sound, showcasing their chemistry and their charismatic personas, but the production often sounds uniform and the songs lack the uniqueness and creativity that coatedThe Flatbush Zombies' debut is not bad, but it's unfortunately underwhelming considering the high expectations created by their last mixtape BetterOffDEAD and the general hype leading up to this project. Lyrically the crew is sound, showcasing their chemistry and their charismatic personas, but the production often sounds uniform and the songs lack the uniqueness and creativity that coated their past mixtape. This is still generally a good project that perhaps serves as a solid debut, but this definitely left a lot to be desired.… Collapse
  10. tristanengen
    Mar 16, 2016
    10
    Flatbush ZOMBiES first full-length album proves to be everything that was expected, and more. With the tightly produced tracks that included no samples (apart from self sampling previous tracks of theirs) Erick Arc Elliot develops a production sound that proves to be their own, rather than above average aggressive drug rap instrumentals that were wowing the crowd on their previous twoFlatbush ZOMBiES first full-length album proves to be everything that was expected, and more. With the tightly produced tracks that included no samples (apart from self sampling previous tracks of theirs) Erick Arc Elliot develops a production sound that proves to be their own, rather than above average aggressive drug rap instrumentals that were wowing the crowd on their previous two mixtapes. This is the Zombies as refined as ever, with Meechy Darko bringing dangerous flows with an unprecedented monstrosity to them. As well as Meech, Zombie Juice also ups the ante, bringing vocal melodies like he has never delivered before, as well as an even more cartoonish double-time flow. Erick "The Architect" also brings his usual lyrical prowess with an amazing flow accompaniment that tightly fits the beats that he produces.

    Fav Tracks: This is it, The Odyssey, R.I.P.C.D., Smoke Break, Bounce, Your Favourite Rap Song    … Expand
  11. stoinkfield
    Mar 16, 2016
    5
    The debut album of the Brooklyn hardcore rap group Flatbush ZOMBiES is a meandering, loosely produced album that seemed to be produced tamely. The Architect is still a production maestro, but this work seems unfocused, not on par with BetterOffDEAD or even D.R.U.G.S, the group's second and first mixtapes. The album is only saved by the vocal performances. Meechy Darko is as good as he hasThe debut album of the Brooklyn hardcore rap group Flatbush ZOMBiES is a meandering, loosely produced album that seemed to be produced tamely. The Architect is still a production maestro, but this work seems unfocused, not on par with BetterOffDEAD or even D.R.U.G.S, the group's second and first mixtapes. The album is only saved by the vocal performances. Meechy Darko is as good as he has always been, as well as Zombie Juice and The Architect himself. The couple of guest spots are decent as well.

    Recommended tracks: The Odyssey, Bounce, New Phone, Who Dis?, Your Favorite Rap Song, R.I.P.C.D, This Is It    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. AllMusic
    Apr 4, 2016
    80
    An excellent debut that flows perfectly and offers something new with every return.
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  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Mar 22, 2016
    80
    A journey into their liberated, tie-dyed consciousness and their best project to date.
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  3. Pitchfork
    Mar 16, 2016
    72
    3001: A Laced Odyssey does an adequate job of reminding us all of Flatbush Zombies’ smart, sharp lyrics. What they lack in hit-single potential, they make up for in talent, but without a calling-card song it's hard to know what their next move is.
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