Pros: Some very tight beatz, good rapping content, clever wording and patterning, quality rhyme delivery
Cons: A few weak songs, short album, some average beatz
The Bottom Line: If you like Brick City, then this is a must buy. If you appreciate A grade lyrics, inspired delivery and tight beats, then you should buy this too.
diegoblunt's Full Review: The Bricks by The Outsidaz
I only became interested in Tha Outsidaz last year. My favourite artist Redman was pumping me with some Newark energy and comedy on "Docs Da Name" and "Malpractice", when I decided it was time to explore the Brick City experience. I purchased the album on a whim and was rewarded for my risky buy. This finely tuned disc has its weaknesses, but the clever, hilarious and territorial lyrics are well worth the purchase.
Like MadTheory, I'm probably a 'head-nodder', but I do think there is quite a bit of quality in here for the 'rump-shakers', especially in the early tracks. I believe the album loses its way with a few week songs, but is still a worthy investment.
I really love the feel of this album and the attitude of the Outsidaz. (eg. "You know the Outz spit game/ Without rappin' bout my chain and my range"). There's no bling, but lots of witty bragging, humorous gun rhymes and metaphors telling us why the Brick City is the best. Anyone who likes Newark flavour and The Brick City MUST buy this album. Most others may be indifferent to it.
1. Intro***** Introduces the Outsidaz and is definately one of the best intro songs I've ever heard. Runner up to "Tha Eastsidaz" Intro. Start this album on song 1, not song 2 like most other rap titles.
2. Keep On***** Immediately, a funky mood is established and then a sick beat kicks in and begins, in my opinion the 2nd best song the album. Zee and Pace produce some excellent rhymes, telling us what they are about. The flow is perfectly in sync to what is truly a sensational beat. Might not get everyone busting out at the club, but when getting ready for a party, this one is pumping.
Pacewon: "Packin' 3-5-7's wit the raw hide grips/
Rollin' 4-5-6 on ya cross eyed tricks"
3. Who You Be***** This is one of my favourite songs ever by any artists. Every time I listen, it psychs me and my mouth waters. The 2 best Outsidaz members are back with Red and Meth on this track to produce a classic collaboration. Short verses are the order of the day, and each MC steps up to the mic twice, rapping about guns, drugs, b*tches, but cleverly wording it, so it all feels like new, refreshing content. The beat is inspired and funky.
4. Skit. An average skit. Funny/good for a little while.
5. I'm Leaving***1/2 Oops! Something went wrong here, out of nowhere comes a really cheesey beat that stuns the listener and breaks up the great run Pace and Zee had going. Young Zee produces some really funny lyrics and raps as well as anyone could over such a weak beat. Kelis kicks in with a very forgettable hook, the lyrics and meaning not really fitting in with Zee's humorous antics. Then Pace and Rah Digga rhyme fairly well.
Young Zee: "You a virgin? You know you do this often
You're thing is so deep you can drown a school of dogs in
It's like every M.C., she done did it
Redman tapped, Lil' Weezy done hit it
Even them Boys from the Beastie done did it
Lil' Cease and R&B singers split it
Rumor has it from word of mouth
That ya thing's more dirtier than the dirty south
And I keep model chicks screamin' out, he a dog
Bust his ears hard, now she look like Nia Long
So, cute girls come jump in my ride
And all you buffalo gals go round the outside"
6. State To State**** This song take off where Zee's humerous antics from the last song left us. Its about f***ing ho's and is pretty funny too. The beat is nothing special, slightly similar to the previous beat, but less cheesey. 5 members feature to tell tales of nation-wide conquests.
D.U: "Callin all promoters cause we need more hoes!"
7. Interlude***** A funny skit. Still hasn't become irritating.
8. The Sign of the Power***1/2 I'm not exactly sure what the Outz were trying for with this song, the beat is very slow with a piano melody and an odd female hook. The lyrics and rapping are good, but a bit fast for the songs tempo. Its a bizzarre song, but still pretty good to my ears. Caveat Emptor.
Yah Yah: "Outz all carry gats, and test more drugs than laboratory rats"
9. Hell Yeah****1/2 I'm not really down with the intro and hook on this song. It's a bit of an ear-sore to be honest, but any true 'head-nodder' will notice that the rhymes, patterns and delivery on this track are A grade. The actual beat is pretty good, with a 'cow-bell' like effect throughout.
Pacewon:"One time for my people, my blunted out heads
We represent the real, let the underground spread"
10. Rehab***** I really love the lyrics on this one. It's all about drugs and has some quality rhyming patterns and delivery. Theres some little Irish leprechaun saying "Top of the morning to ye" which fits brilliantly an is quite cool. This is definately one of the best drug songs ever written. The beat is not a club-hit, but definately appropriate and emotive, while not being too dark or solemn.
Nawshis: "Remember this; bad habits only get worser/
When your lungs insert lye/ they just tryin' to reach the first high"
11. We Be The O's*** Theres an ugly piano melody on this song and the beat is a bit pulsating. Not great production either, especially on the hook which has excellent lyrics. The rapping is once again highly skillful, this time opting for a less funky or humorous approach.
"Jumped in the Range Rover, I'ma smoke this punk
I made sure the joints was inside the trunk"
12. Music**** This beat takes a little while to get use to, as does the Outz spitting rhymes a mile a minute. The hook is handled well by Zee and this is as close as they come to getting all their crew on one track. Everyone features except for D.U. This track has some of the best lyrical technique and rhymes on the album, but the beat may not be liked by some listeners.
Young Zee: "We got you lovin' our music
N*ggas smoke weed and do drugs to our music
Girls like to f**k to our music
N*ggas wild out and get lock dub to our music
It's no more love for the music
We share blood for the music
We bust slugs for the music
We lovin' the music"
13. Yo Do Doe*** The Spanish melody and 'drunken hook' are pretty good and so are the lyrics. For some reason though, I sense a tiresome feel with this song, specifically the beat and I usually find myself skipping it.
YahYah: "Turn the spot light up on all these rhyme biters
That bite our style to make they teeth shine brighter"
14. The Bricks*** The beat is once again average, but the song has some quality rapping (slightly rah-rah), with some good lyrics. The hook is fairly angry and cool, but this song isn't one of my favourites. Axe, DU, YahYah and Nawshis feature and the lack of Zee and Pace is felt slightly. The music is the main obstacle, its futuristic and anger ridden and comes across unconquerable.
Axe: "Pull out the gat, clap to it; no protection from the blow
Smith & Wesson turn your bulletproof vest into a robe"
15. Money Money Money Remix***** This is an absolute gem to end on. The album returns to its upbeat feel for the first time in too long, and this fast-paced, quality track reminds us why we were so pleased with the earier delights. The Outz spit energetic, vibrant rhymes over an excellent symphonic melody. The hook may not appeal to some listeners but is quite well performed, the highlight of this song being the rappers delivery.
Yah Yah: "I'ma shine like a pile of golden nuggets
Catch me in GQ posin rugged
Nasty fellow, pick my nose in public
Wipe the snot on my clothes, shockin the hoes"
I love the lyrics and rapping style of the Outsidaz, especially their witty humour and methods. The beats are initially tight, but then get lost along the way, but overall this album is quite solid. There are some REALLY memorable tracks, but some tracks that you'll hear once, and never play them again. If you have never heard of Brick City, then there probably isn't much about this album that you'll like, but if you like New Jersey rap, then buy it while you still can.
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