Search - Lil 1/2 Dead :: The Dead Has Arisen

Why can't I buy this album

PBlair1061@aol.com | TexaS | 05/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The whole purpose of my buying albums through Amazon is to have the ability to find albums that cannot be found elsewhere. So here is an album that I can see, but can't buy. Why is this? Because it is out of print. Well, I believe there is a copy somewhere, but what are the chances of this album ever being reissued. No chance in hell. Because this is an obscure rap album, and there is no demand. But I still want a copy of it, and if there is just one copy sitting in your storage somewhere, I would love to have it."

Good Ol Gangsta Funk Fo Yo Trunk!

G Funkin | Land of Sunshine | 06/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Underappreciated Dogg Pound member Lil 1/2 Dead comes big for the nine four. I think Snoop gives him a shout out on Doggystyle but besides that, not too many people inside or outside of the game give props to Young HD. And I don't know why. "The Dead Has Arisen" provides some brilliant g-funk tracks w/a heavy Dre influence both musically (whiny snyths, no crooners, heavy artificial keyboard use, etc) and lyrically (heavy guest usage w/more talented rappers). Like Dre, also, you kind of get used to his style after a while because it has limited range in a way. Don't get me wrong, the songs are still good, but many of tracks are similar musically. For the most part, there are no surprises but that said, it's not easy to bring consistently good tracks likethis album does throughout. The album sports 2 classics, which are the exceptions to what I was just saying above. Besides that, the rest of the album is just straight solid formulaic gangsta funk.



The first classic is "Had to Be A Hustler," a smooth bass heavy beat sets the scene for HD describing his ways as a hustler in the LB. Like most songs of the type, HD does a balancing act between reflecting on his ways "rest in peace to my homiez up above..." to celebrating them in a way. If you listen to the instrumental version (Hustler's Interlude) you start to understand the essence of g-funk rap: "rhythm is life...life rhythm." Listen to the guitars, soft synths, heavy bass. These were the days when rappers actually prided themselves on melody. The second classic and the best song on the album is "Stz'll Got It" featuring Chill and Quik's homie and west coast vet AMG. I don't like AMG on any of his solo albums (mostly due to weak production) but on any guest spot he's almost always the highlight. As usual, his syncopated flow is straight funky, matching the beat perfectly. Although "Ain't No Fun," and other more known songs are heralded as the best g funk party anthems, "Stz'll Got It" is right up there. Again the last minute or so is just classic. The rapping stops and we're left with a beat that no one could not want to dance to. Even in 2007.



"12Pacofdoja" is actually the first Half Dead song I heard and I peeped his full albums based on that. It is not his best song but it's another bass heavy song with a smooth R&B feel to it. Again, the last minute or so is just the tight beat. "You Know Me" sounds straight out of Dre's recording studio and is one of the album's highlights. The melodic winy synths relive those Chronic dayz. "Eastside, Westside" and "Deadicated" fall under this category too. Hostyle, a group consisting of Chaos and Quicc 2 Mac makes an appearance on several of the songs. Chaos is nice but Quicc 2 Mac has to have one of the most unique flows in g-funk history. HD uses him even more in his 2nd album "Steel on A Mission" and I'm glad. I wish he came out with some albums of his own. Like Snoop and a handful of others, Quicc 2 Mac is made for g-funk.



All in all, this album is very memorable. It has 2 classics that expand on the style and the rest which add to the style that Dre created. Also grab "Steel on A Mission." It's just as good.



4.5

"

I WISH I COULD PURCHASE IT ON AMAZON!

LIBRA | GARY, INDIANA | 01/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE CD IS TIGHT. IT'S ALL DAT. THIS CD IS ONE OF THOSE YOU BUMP IN YOUR RIDE WHEN YOU HANGN' OUT AND CHILLN' WITH YOUR PEOPLES. IT'S MELLOW AND CALM. ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONG ON THE CD IS "12 PACADOJA". MAN I LOVE THAT CD, AND I REALLY WISH I COULD PURCHASE IT ON AMAZON, OR ANY OTHER RECORD STORE. I GUESS THIS CD IS TO REAL FOR THE STORES."