People Under The Stairs Album: “Stepfather”

In 2006, the eagerly anticipated album from PUTS (People Under The Stairs) is here, and I am glad to say it was definitely worth the wait. With 18 tracks, and 2 skits it is obvious that Thes One & Double K have worked hard (as always), for stepfather to ensure the fans do not go wanting. In the past PUTS and their music have been constantly criticized for the resulting contrast between their mediocre rhymes & the flawless beats...now as much as that can be debated, it was & still is a issue for most people. With that in mind, I believe, that lyrically this is the best Puts have ever produced. Mc/Producers Thes One & Double K seem to have really stepped up for this, with trademark great flows as usual but the substance of each song is so much more than the parties, booze, blunts & fun theme that was so prominent in earlier releases. Now, don't get me wrong, I love everything by the Puts, but I did feel that after 3 albums and an EP of, basically, consistent lyrics, the puts needed to step up in order to get the recognition they deserve. They have done this. Similarly, the main thing to note about Stepfather is that Thes & K seem to have matured much more touching on subjects that are more personal to them and give us more of an insight into how they think and get down. From the importance of Family on "Days like these" (and throughout the album) to how they Eat on "Eat Street" and yeh, you guessed it, some ideas on how they like to have fun on "jamboree". Like everything the P does, the album is straight consistency with not one weak track on the entire album. However, saying that, I did find that "Pass The 40" just scrapes "OK", as the beat is just not to my taste, and creates a rocky flow of consistency at the start which soon re-gathers when "Pumpin'" kicks in. So, all I can, is if you are a Fan of people under the stairs without a doubt peep this, if you havent heard of them peep this and even if you didn't like them peep this as you will find you may like this one. PEACE

P.S. (The DVD which comes with the special/limited edition of this cd is also amazing. With footage showing us how the P started, what they're like, where they live, how they make their beats, shows etc etc etc. A GREAT extension to the album. The Poster is also a great addition!)

Lyrics - 10/10

Beats - 5000/10 (It's the P!)

Originality (of album) - 8.5/10

Replay Value - 10/10

Best Tracks - Flex Off, Days Like These, Jamboree, Eat Street, More Than You Know and On & On.

If you found this review helpful, check my others

That's what it says in small letters on the back of 'Stepfather,' and how true it is.

I have two other PUTS records, and I like them, but they're not as instantaneously likable as this one. 'Stepfather' is just a plain old fun hip-hop record. Even when Double K and Thes One sound serious, as on the organ-drenched opener, 'Step In,' you can't help but bounce and smile.

And there are plenty of reasons to do so. 'Pass the 40' has the MCs swapping verses over a simple beat as Thes One even tosses a dis at nostalgic underground heads ('The underground stuck in '93's not fresh/Backpack and notebooks, not a good look'). 'Pumpin' puts a clavinet sample together with some jazz-scat drumming and 'Tuxedo Rap' smooths everything out with a beat worth bumping on any Friday night.

I can keep going.

The two-part 'Jamboree' is a rollicking good time followed by a spot-on description of the after-party at your boy's bachelor pad. The jam, however, is 'Eat Street,' which flips the album's best beat into a tribute to PUTS's favorite dining spots. 'Some guys are mad smart/Some guys are tough dudes/But me and my homies we mostly care about food,' Thes says. Double K couldn't agree more: 'I head down west to the A-1 Burger/Where the french fries are fresh and you might get murdered.' You'll find yourself singing some of the song's one-liners all day ('When I'm chillin'/I'd rather be grillin,' 'Yo shorty let me tell you bout my only vice/It's got to do with lots of chewin'/And it ain't nothin' nice').

This is the most enjoyable hip-hop album I've bought in a long time.

I feel displaced being the time span between this entry and the previous one (about 4 years). Here on "Stepfather" you do here the growth of PUTS being that this is their first effort on their own indie label, PUTS Records. On that note, one of the first things you'll notice is the change in design on the CD itself; gone is the yellow disc with the red cross from the OM years. In terms of the sound that we're used to, its a far cry from all of the previous albums, in particular the first two. But the three years in between "Or Stay Tuned" and "Stepfather" did the fellas a world of good. Along the way of touring worldwide, they happened to pick up some break beats down in Mexico City (check out the accompanying DVD). The results are phenomenal, with a more radio friendly sound but still underground in its roots. This is a rebirth for PUTS, as this laid the foundation and groundwork for the two follow ups, "Fun DMC" and "Carried Away". As usual PUTS stays true to what has made them so popular over their 13 year career. You still got the party jams (Jamboree pt 1, Tuxedo Rap), chillin and hanging out with the fellas (Jamboree pt 2, Eat Street), and the sentimental and reminiscing cuts (Days Like These, More Than You Know). Hands down this was and still is to date their finest achievement, and they are far from done. If you are new to PUTS, you can't go wrong starting off with "Stepfather", however I highly recommend all of the previous albums, at the very least get the best of the OM years. Also check out the follow ups as well. L.A. hip hop is alive and well.

this is just good times funky hip hop. probably the most consistant emcees out. every album has some fantastic music on it

after one listen i love this album. for me, its not at the level of O.S.T. But then again its never fair to compare a brand new album to something i've had the chance to let soak in for a few years

Buy this album you will not be disappointed. they flow so effortlessly, and the beats are always straight

this type of hip hop reminds you of why you got into this genre of music

Excellent release by Double K and Thes One. I loved some of the tracks including both Jamboree raps, LA9X, You, Eat Street, On and On. It's all solid, just what you would expect from one of your favorite undergound groups.