Zion I’s debut, 2000’s critically-acclaimed Mind Over Matter, was hailed as the debut of one the most exciting MC/producer teams in underground hip-hop. With Zumbi’s conscious raps and Amp Live’s futuristic production, Zion I immediately cultivated a following, stretching from their home base in Oakland to all around the world. The group found success again with 2006’s Grouch-assisted Heroes in the City of Dope. With their first release since Heroes, The Take Over sees Amp Live branch out to a variety of sounds, which turns out to be a double-edged sword.
“The Take Over” is a very well-crafted beat: simple, yet funky with the vocal sample, piano, and horns. Zumbi gives props to his fellow Bay Area rappers, as well as other veterans in the game. The guest appearances by Brother Ali and Devin the Dude are most welcome. Brother Ali might be the best rapper that the mainstream media doesn‘t know about, and his guest verse on “Caged Bird Part 1″ outshines Zumbi’s. Zumbi also runs into this problem on “Country Baked Yams,” where Devin the Dude takes over the song. The beat seems more catered to Devin, even though it’s a little futuristic for a Dude album.
Concerning the aforementioned double-edged sword of Amp Live’s diverse productions; the beats themselves aren’t bad, but the lack of consistency leaves the listener a little disoriented. “DJ DJ” is a reggaeton-influenced tribute to legendary producers and seems to be Zion I’s failed attempt at a club banger. The beat really doesn’t fit the subject matter, as they shout out Kid Capri and Red Alert over something you’d expect Pitbull and Daddy Yankee to spit over. And while listening to the last two songs of the album, “Juicy Juice” and “Peppermint Patty”, you’d swear that the album ended two songs ago and somehow your iTunes switched you to your Cool Kids collection. If you told me that Chuck Inglish produced those two songs, as well as “Greek to the Beat,” I would have believed you without a second thought.
The last two songs are throwaways, unfortunately, as is “DJ DJ.” And as an album that’s only 13 tracks (only 11 actual songs) and doesn’t even clock 40 minutes, it cannot afford throwaways. Amp Live is one of the most creative producers to come around recently, and doesn’t need to resort to taking another act’s sound; yet, one can’t help but feel he felt the pressures of the trendy swag-infusion to release something that’s heavily unoriginal. Had Amp Live and Zumbi stuck with winning formulas like the aforementioned title track, and the futuristic and somehow-catchy “Antenna”, this album would have been a winner. But they don’t, and it’s not.
65/100
Standout Tracks:
Caged Bird Part 1
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The Take Over
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Coastin’
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I gotta disagree. The album is different than what you might expect from Zion I but that’s what you want an artist to do. This is the best album of the year so far imo.
I agree. The album was a lil bit of an upset but there are good things about it. I personally wish I didn’t listen to it. I’d have more respect for them
I didn’t like the album. I was actually surprised at how uncomfortable it was
This album undermined my argument with my homie Noah on how good Zion I are. As a big fan of Mind Over Matter, this was a big disappointment
i also agree..this album was a big disappoinment.
I gotta check it still. From the sound of the above tracks, it sounds pretty dope!
True n Livin’ is classic to me and what first turned me on to Zion I. I haven’t heard the new one yet but I’m surprised at all the dislike. Just from listening to the 3 tracks above it sounds dope and incredible to me. The other songs most be drastically different and wack if this is the case. True??
@ Mike. To me, they tracks that are “different” aren’t bad. I can see why people don’t like them but for example DJ DJ is an homage to Planet Rock obviously. The rest of the album is great, just like those tracks. If you are a zion I fan, you’ll like it.
Thanks for the comment Justin. I think I’m going to take your advice and cop that joint.
zion i has always been one of the tops in my book. for them to expand their music and experiment a different style, which is clearly shown here, is hot. zion i has that rep for puttin’ out good stuff, and to me they still haven’t disappointed.
I agree with MK. Fans usually don’t like it when artists with a solid string of alternative records take a new album in an entirely different direction. While I do prefer the old Zion I stuff, I think The Takeover is a solid release…Let Zumbi let down his conscience side and put out some weird, club fueled tunes.
for me being from the oakland and being a big zion i fan i was very disappointed with this album. i respect them and what they were trying to do by changing it up and being lil different but it didnt work. there is still a couple of songs on here that true zion i fans and hip hop heads can vibe to and enjoy, but as a whole album it’s not very good.
You guys are wack. This album is great! They switch up the sound up a little and now everyones a hater? You guys should be disapponited in your damn selves.
LOL
just because they deviate from their normal sound doesn’t automatically make it good music. Kanye deviated and created that skidmark known as 808s and Heartbreaks. And if you DO change your style up a bit, make sure you don’t sound like another group, ie The Cool Kids