"The west coast Wu-Tang? I think so. Living legends is a collective of 9 emcees from the bay area and LA. Last year the dropped their first group album in several years and it was met with only luke warm results. Now a year later they drop a 15 track deep album with all 9 emcees and dubbed it classic because they new what they were making was real. Although the first song is simply titled "Intro" it is so much more than your typical rap album intro skit with an amazing beat and some sick lyrics. This is the formula throughout the album: amazing beats and sick lyrics. All the 9 of the guys drop dope verbal's for ya to devour. A lot of the production is kept in house but they do branch out some with Madlib stopping through and DJ Khalil doing a track. If you dig real beats and some simple man rap then be sure to check this album the first classic album of the 2 double oh 5."
Amazing! Truely moving...
DukeOfEarl | Phoenix, AZ United States | 03/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Finally, the first worthwhile Hiphop album of the year! I mean I liked these guys a little already, but I wasn't expecting something of this high of a quality. They really put their heads together, concentrated, and came up with a gem! This album is very "deep" all-around, I couldn't believe it. Definitely better than last year's "Creative Differences," although that album wasn't bad at all. All eight of them truly put their hearts and their souls into this recording.
I can't remember the last time I was so stoked and into a cd like this. Track #7, "Never Falling," really moved me and the album is outstanding from then on out. I've only got through it once so far, but "Wise Is The Way" and "Deepest Breath" also stuck out. The first half of this cd is good too, a little lighter, but starting at track #7 till the end is the featured portion of "Classic." I couldn't believe how they restrained themselves from going off and doing party songs (which they are decent at) on this album! The whole album is incredibly cohesive and fluid. The producing all-around is unique, infectious, and sometimes even jaw-dropping.
Though the Living Legends may possess a pretentious name, and this album's name is pretentious as well, no one will be complaining once they listen! "Classic" is the first must-have Hiphop cd of this year, and will be a contender for the year's best. Go out, buy this cd, and tell your friends about it. HIPHOP IS BACK Y'ALL!"
LIVING LEGENDS BOUNCE BACK WITH PERFECTION!
V. browne | 03/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"LL COMES BACK WITH MATERIAL THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND, IN COMPARISION TO A CLASSIC CALLED "ALMOST FAMOUS" THIS ALBUM MEETS THOSE STANDARDS AND WILL MOST LIKELY SURPASS THAT EXCELLENCE! VERY HEARTFELT AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED WITH ALL LL CREW ON EVERY SONG!!COP THIS ONE, YOU WONT BE DISAPOINTED"
WOW
SyDuck | The City of Angels | 03/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is AMAZING. EVERY track is top notch. Every song has 5-star production and 5-star lyrics. This album is worth EVERY PENNY. Just pop it in, and listen to it straight, from the first song, you will be amazed.
The track produced by Madlib is HOT. As usual, the Legends have their first track featuring every member spitting battle type rhymes. I admit, this first song surpasses "What Would You Do?" from the CD "Almost Famous".
Throughout the CD, every member's verses are strategically placed through out the tracks so that their voices and styles greatly compliment each other or stands out.
I recommend this CD for everyone. If you would like to take a break from commercial rap that's about jibberish, buy this. If you're tired of listening to nerd rap, stuff that makes you say "WTF?" buy this. Its some classic Living Legends material.
The name suits the album very well, indeed a classic."