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- Summary: Brooklyn underground rappers the Arsonists are back with their self-produced second album, following their 1999 debut "As The World Burns," which was also on indie-rock label Matador. The group is now a trio, following the departures of Freestyle and D-Story.
- Record Label: Matador
- Genre(s): Rap
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 3 out of 7
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Mixed: 4 out of 7
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Negative: 0 out of 7
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Some of its strongest work to date.
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While the album lapses occasionally with a couple of patches of redundant production, Date of Birth is a strong follow-up from a crew who keep it real by nature.
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Date Of Birth doesn't reinvent hip-hop, but it mines considerable rewards just by operating within the style's familiar confines.
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Alternative PressThe sample-based backing tracks, hard-hitting but plain, don't have much choice but to play second-best. [Jan 2002, p.74]
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UrbMuch of the album fails to make sparks. [Nov/Dec 2001, p.142]
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Date of Birth is packed with hard-driving, repetitive beats that are equal parts Wu-Tang Clan and Gang Starr, yet the music lacks either of those groups' charms.
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The WireWhat's lacking on Date Of Birth, though, is any sort of excitement. [#212, p.75]
Score distribution:
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Positive: 1 out of 1
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Mixed: 0 out of 1
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Negative: 0 out of 1
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MigJul 1, 2005Good album. Check out Freestyle's "Etched in Stone" and Q's "Vengeance is Mine" too.
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