Cellar Door: Terminus Ut Exordium
by The Underachievers
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. The Wire
    Dec 2, 2014
    80
    This is warped, tactile and certainly druggy music. However, it's the duo's use of breathless double time flows that vividly replicate the mesmeric metal hum of psychedelics. [Oct 2014, p.64]
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  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Sep 24, 2014
    60
    The grand message that The Underachievers seek to spread musically can get a little boring, though, especially when they pretty much rap about it on every song.... AK and Issa Gold are getting better at rapping, and rapping together.
  3. XXL
    Aug 14, 2014
    80
    Cellar Door comes off as a bit of an endurance test as result. That’s a knock against it, but a small [one] for what’s a brisk and enjoyable listen.
  5. Boston Globe
    Aug 13, 2014
    70
    An underwhelming middle stretch aside, this cellar is worth exploring.
  6. AllMusic
    Aug 13, 2014
    70
    They've constructed a vivid and often mysterious beast of an album with snippets of commentary and perspective hidden within, highly enjoyable either taken at face value or dug into deeper.
  7. Exclaim
    Aug 13, 2014
    80
    Cellar Door seems to have given the Underachievers space to breathe, think and spit the transcendental lyricism that set them apart in the first place.
  8. HipHopDX
    Aug 13, 2014
    70
    Challenging listeners on Cellar Door, their next level aesthetic is a double-edged sword since the strong flows that help them stand out require great effort to process.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. chughes717
    Aug 15, 2014
    9
    The Underachievers, perhaps the most ironic name for any hip-hop collaborative in recent memory have released their first major studio album,The Underachievers, perhaps the most ironic name for any hip-hop collaborative in recent memory have released their first major studio album, and their follow up to their critically acclaimed debut mixtape; 2013's "Indigoism". For the most part, they stick to the same subject matter that was prevalent in much of their 2013 release; third eye, religion, psychedelic drugs, etc. So many rappers talk about these things, but so few do it with the near flawless execution that this duo does it with. Issa Gold remains consistent on the mic, delivering gems left and right, while AK spits with such technical skill and precision that's impossible not to admire even if you're not a fan of the duo. They have some work to do when it comes to writing choruses; for the most part on this album, the songs either had no chorus, or had choruses that seemed to be afterthoughts and maybe not as well thought out as they should've been. For proof that The Underachievers are one of New York's be(a)st up and coming talents, look no further. You're provided with a concise, focused body of work that encapsulates everything that makes these two so exciting to listen to; hard hitting lyrics, rapid fire flows with technical precision that's aw-worthy and production that you're immersed in from start to finish. This truly improves on "Indigoism" in every way possible.… Full Review »
  2. childofthe90s
    Aug 25, 2014
    10
    Indigo Soul!. The Underachievers got a banger in their hands. this album was solid. pretty solid. best album of the year so far. it's up thereIndigo Soul!. The Underachievers got a banger in their hands. this album was solid. pretty solid. best album of the year so far. it's up there with Freddie Gibbs, Dilated Peoples and Ratking.… Full Review »
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