QUINTESSENTIAL BOOM BAP ERA
O. KAKA | WOODBRIDGE, NJ United States | 08/18/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ill Biskits Chronicle of two losers is a quintessential 95' era east coast sound. The album started off with this banger EXCLUSIVE DEBUT,which to me gives the listener an insight into what the album is about----Intelligent rhymes and dope beats. Jumping straight to track number six BETTER THAN EVER, a jazzy sound with old school feeling. Track number eight, God bless your life, confirms what I have been thinking about not only hip hop but life in general. Knowledge and understanding is decreasing with time, because the aforementioned track GOD BLESS YOUR LIFE, is something you wouldn't expect today artist to put or say on their album, thus, my analogy about the death of knowledge with time. You cannot compare the mental state of a nineteen year old which was the actual age of this cats back then with EVEN today twenty five year old the difference is night and day. Moreover, I was enamored with that track because of its message. Track number nine LET EM' KNOW, is produced by my man LORD FINESSE, using his signature horns and strong drum pattern. PLACE TO BE, is another track I like, dark jazzy beats with hard lyrics, at first I thought it was produced by Buckwild, until I read the back of the CD. Lord Finesse came back again with this slammer 22 YEARS good God what a track. Finally, if you love 93-95 era boom bap music which originated in New York City this is for you. Go Cop it. ONE!"
What Happened...?
N. Proph | San Jose, CA | 09/09/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Classic Albums like this, "A Chronicle of Two Losers" by Ill Biskits, provide you the great nostalgia of Old Skool Hip that ended officially around the mid-90s, the Grandmaster Flash, Mood's "Doom" and Nas's Illmatic. And now living in mainstream supposedly Hip-Hop era where the top artists include substance-less Lil Waynes, T.I., T-Pain (electronic crap) and 50 Cent, I am mind-boggled as to how the Hip-Hop fanbase completely digressed mentally.
But, back to Ill Biskits, "A Better Day" was easily the best track on the album...that was simply a poetical classic. The production was relaxing and a little ahead of its time in Camp Lo form. "God Bless Your Life," the first single from this album (released from their independent label, NYC) was another appreciative Hip-Hop joint that can live on forever. "Broker Than Ever" was funny, discussing golddiggers in an indirect, non-Kanye West way. "Escape The Funk" well-explains the turning nature of radio music and the DJ's that are unconsciously ruining Hip-Hop..."when radio DJs mix new songs and try to tape". It was interesting to learn that Lord Finesse produced "22 Years" just explaining some of the most surprising beginnings. Several bonus tracks include "Beyond Understanding" and some instrumentals.
I was a little lost with the interludes, "Chronicle I, II...", usually just openings or endings for some of the memorable tracks. And "Bare Essentials" was a bit meaningless. But, I really have little criticism for what nearly is a classic album with simply amazing lyricism. IThis is a well-developed, well-produced and well-lyricized album!"