De La Soul Album: “The Grind Date [PA]”

What a comeback! This album is wonderful. De La comes back after three years off and gives us mostly melodic production, some of the best and inspiring lyrics of their career, and a few noteworthy guests that seem to be in awe of the legends. This marks exactly 15 years since their groundbreaking debut "3 Ft. High & Rising" released. And here they sound revived and almost like they've never left.

After listening to "The Grind Date," I am throughly convinced that De La is best group to ever come from the hiphop culture. They have had a few low points, but overall they consistently make something different, and how they've stuck together all these years is remarkable. You never even see Posdnous guest by himself on somebody else's album, or whatnot. Yes, they've taken a few breaks between albums, but where one of the members go, the other two are always invited along. Exactly what we'd all like to see from every musical group/band.

Focusing on this album, it is very strong from beginning to end, and they keep it short and sweet with twelve tracks, one for each month of the year. The insert is even a small calendar, but almost useless with three months left in the year. Anyways, "Shopping bags" might sound a little commercial, but De La sends a message warning us to watch how our ladies spend our money. Then there is "The Future" and "Rock Co. Kane Flow" (w/ MF Doom) which sound so original and can only be pulled off by De La. "Church" is as good as it sounds, and "Verbal Clap" is straightforward beats and spectacular rhymes. The carefully selected guests contribute much, such as Ghostface on "He Comes," Common on "Days of Our Lives," Butta Verses on "No," and of course the crazy last track with MF Doom. Don't forget Flava Flav on "Come On Down." It's insanity to believe it, Flava Flav and De La! Flav fits right in, and sounds as if he's been with the group all along. A truly shining moment! Some common themes that De La touch upon throughout are the importance of longevity, working hard and staying upon your 'grind,' and of course many spirit references.

This is a great album for the state of hiphop that a few and hopefully many more will follow by example. I'd like to quote Rakim because this came to mind, "The rebirth of hiphop will be dropped now, because the crowd didn't hear the original in a while." With all the true hiphop albums that have dropped this year, or will drop soon, this is a great candidate as the pinnacle of them all. It may have the sticker, but really there isn't even too much cussing on this album, and it shouldn't turn many away with that. "The Grind Date" definitely sounds current, yet reflective on the past, hopeful for the future, and is De La's best album since "Stakes Is High," maybe even better than that one. It's envigorating that I got this one along with Talib Kweli's new album, and by this time next week, I will have Mos Def's and Kool Keith new Dr. Octagon album in my hands! I am white, and I truly enjoy this intelligent, creative artform when it is done right like this. As Flava puts it, "Good rap music is back on the map." And De La Soul truly offers "Much More"!

...That such a great album is being overlooked by the general hip-hop community. This album didn't even crack the Top 100 Billboard in retail sales during it's debut week. Perhaps the rap game has passed them by, which is a shame, because their current offering is about as tight as it gets. The production is fantastic, and as usual, De La's lyrics are insightful. In my opinion, it doesn't get much better than this. Pure Hip-Hop. Period.

I always find the most helpful reviews to be the one's that are 1) honest, and 2) tell you which songs are worthwhile so you'll know how to judge the album and decide to pick it up.

De La Soul's best songs are the one's that blend great flow, poignant lyrics, and a musical vibe that just hits you inside. On the A.O.I Bionix album, songs like 'Held Down' and 'Trying People' nailed it. I thought Stakes is High was a poor album- the beats were too spare and none of the flows really did it for me. I see alot of reviews of fans who love that album. Fortunately Grind Date is not like that. To me, not only is Grind Date proving De La at the top of its game again, almost the WHOLE album is solid, plus it has some songs where the rhymes and music are so aweseome together that it just moves you like no other hip hop does.

I downloaded a few songs from this album, loved them, then I kept downloading one by one and found each one had something even better to other. It was such as rare and cool surprise. Finally had to just pick up the whole album so I didn't miss any gems.

'It's Like That' and 'Days of Our Lives' are amazing and worth buying this album all alone. The sounds are so rich and lush, the vibe is so positive, the lyrics are so creative, they are some of the best De La tracks ever. De La's lyrics are sharper than they've been in years. The guys are wiser and more experienced, and it shows. In these songs you can hear how they are looking out for hip hop like no one else, and kicking the knowledge like no one else.

'He Comes' and 'Much More' are 2 of the more great tracks with a mellow vibe. 'It's Like That' and 'Days of our lives' are just a notch better. De La Soul is in a new groove on this album. Great soundscapes, great vibe. Don't miss it.

For a more stripped down, raw De La, check out other great tracks like 'The Future', 'Verbal Clap', and 'Rock Ko Kane Flow'. Solid tracks but not as top notch as the others I mentioned.

For the most part, there's no game-changing innovation on De La Soul's latest effort, The Grind Date, with the exception of "Rock Kokane Flow," which has Pos, Dave, and MF Doom rocking verses that mimic the pattern in which cocaine is chopped up (if you didn't get the pun, this song is supposed to be "dope"). I mention that because most hip-hop records that receive rave reviews nowadays ("College Dropout") are either near genius in their aura or push the genre forward in some way. However, I don't think thats what De La set out to do with "The Grind Date." Rather, the LP succeeds the old-fashioned way by presenting the listener with twelve consecutive dope songs, showcasing some of the underground's hottest producers (9th Wonder, Madlib, Supa Dave West, and Jake One) and sprinkling thought-provoking rhymes throughout. The Grind Date will satisfy any hip-hop head who appreciates intelligent rhymes and unorthodox, neck-snapping beats. 4 Stars.

It's been a long time coming as well as a struggle for hip hop old schoolers like De La Sol to diversify themselves and turn some heads in the mainstream without succumbing to the pressures of competition with artists like Lil Jon, Chingy, T.I., and Petey Pablo. So it was with much cynicism that I gave this a listen being that there weren't many releases that appealed to a solely urban hip hop fan, but those feelings of skepticism, which comes as no surprise since their last release was a dud, ultimately subside as this album delivers an amazing sound that is much needed in a world that fronts the face of hip hop through a beady eyed, cup holding, krunk drinking materialist that screams "YEAH" across every track of his compositions. It's not more of mature sound as it is a pleasant listen that caters to the head-bopping deficient crowd looking for both beats of ease and lyrics that define a generation lost through rap's fascination with gold teeth, big booties, and wheelchairs with spinners. You can almost imagine the inner city as it booms to life through this worthy soundtrack of the best of the streets. "So Much More" is bound to get some radio play as with each song, they succeed with what has always made them a welcome mainstay in the hip hop community. "No", another standout track, loops over a sample from "Never Can Say Goodbye" while simple, yet hypnotizing verbal contributions from the group guide us to good feelings and a feeling of nostalgia for the good days when rap was a feeling and attitude that served to have you pump your fist in the air as you shout "You can't knock the hustle!" in the midst of a crowd. And even though it's not the best to their potential, "The Grind Date" offers a glimmer of hope in that rap will not become a one way street.

Rating: 4/5

favorite tracks

1: So Much More

2: It's like that

3: Days of our Lives

4: No