Man, I was gonna wait until tomorrow to post this review, but we’ve had so much hype over American Gangster lately, I figured it was time to get back to some real hip hop. I’m not saying Jay-Z ain’t real hip hop, it’s just that Little Brother has reinvented hip hop with their old school classic sound and words that cut you like a knife! Ladies and gentlemen, this is hip hop!

Wow, Little Brother’s latest album, Getback, is so amazing I don’t know where to begin! I went down on my lunch break today and put down $12.99 to get my copy to support Phonte and Pooh, but I’ve actually been sitting on this album for close to two weeks when Phonte, himself, leaked Getback to the Internet. He included this note along with the tracks:

If you enjoy what you hear, please purchase it on 10/23 or come check us out on tour.
Catch our tourdates and all other updates at www.myspace.com/littlebrother

Thanks for your support.

I’m fitna go eat some waings and watch Mad Men…

One Love,
Tay

Now if that ain’t an artist that supports their fans, I don’t know what is! Go out and buy this album; it’s bananas! A lot of people have been skeptical, since 9^th Wonder left the group to produce for other artists. I admit; I was too! I mean The Listening is one of my favorite albums of all time. Why mess with the formula? Well, after hearing Getback, branching out was definitely a step in the right direction. To me, their sound is a little more diversified on the new album. We still get the classic soul-sampled sound, but producers like Illmind, Hi-Tek, and Krysis take Little Brother to the next level.

If I had one complaint with the album, it would be my issue with the bonus tracks. The thing is this is done all the time. I’m just tired of it! Let me explain… Little Brother put together a solid eleven tracks for the U.S. retail release. I ain’t hatin’ on that. Like I said, the eleven tracks are solid. My problem is there are bonus tracks floating all over the place. ITunes has a bonus track, HipHopSite.com has a different bonus track along with a full instrumental version of the LP, and apparently the UK got a different bonus track on their retail release. Just give the fans what they want and put all of the tracks on one CD and make it available to everyone! So far I only have the bonus track from iTunes, so I’ll include that one in this review. But this is one of the reasons people just download the albums illegally off the Internet. Anyway, enough with my rant.; let’s get on with my track for track review.

I know I’ve said it before; with Graduation, Ear Drum, and Finding Forever, but for real – Getback is so far the album of the year.

1. “Sirens (feat Carlitta Durand)” - produced by Illmind (10/10) – this track was perfect to start the album off with. I love the soft piano which opens the track. It leaves you with no idea that the song would bust into a 70s rock riff and then into the hard beat that will have you noddin’ yo head to. Tay & Pooh’s verses are tight as usually, rapping about issues that people should actually be giving a damn about. If only more rappers had something positive and intelligence to rap about like Little Brother. Lyrically, LB are the best out there right now; you can quote me on that. Oh yeah, Carlitta does her thang on the chorus too! Tight song.
2. “Can’t Win For Losing” - produced by Illmind (10/10) – another hot production from Illmind. I’m not too familiar with his work with other artists, but as far as the four tracks he did on Getback, he really mixed it up and doesn’t stick to on style. This song has a nice soul sample laid under a nice hard beat. Oh man, I love the interlude at the end of the track! You gotta love it when there’s a little bit of comedy in between great music. And that chick sounds hot too – damn!
3. “Breakin’ My Heart (feat Lil’ Wayne)” - produced by 9th Wonder (10/10) – I don’t care what none of ya’ll say – this is my song! There have been a lot of people hatin’ cuz Little Brother got Lil’ Wayne to guest on this track. I’m not hatin’ at all. Grant it Weezy has been on everybody’s tracks this year, but there’s no denying the guy’s got talent. Lil’ Wayne isn’t the reason I love this track anyway; although his verse does add to the greatness of this song. The greatest thing about it though is 9th Wonder’s production! This beat is sick! This track is probably my second favorite song on the album. My favorite is next…
4. “Good Clothes” - produced by Illmind (10/10) – Now THIS is my song! Man when I hear this single on the radio a couple of months ago, I knew Little Brother was gonna bring it with this new album. Back to Illmind’s production… love them horns! This is only of hip hop’s best produced songs that I’ve heard in a while. Oh and Little Brother are hilarious with the lyrics in this song!! “Better go to Lane Bryant!” LOL; another hilarious interlude at the end of the song again… “The big ol’ ass!”
5. “After The Party (feat Carlitta Durand)” - produced by Khrysis (10/10) – Damn, are these guys comedians or rappers? “I am your conscience…” Man, everything about this song is perfect. Maybe this is my favorite cut on the album… man I can’t decide! Khrysis must be 9th Wonder is disguise. His productions sound so must like 9th Wonder; it’s hard to tell the difference. The beat and the flow of this song are ridiculous. Phonte & Pooh kill it again lyrically and Carlitta sounds nice on the hook.
6. “ExtraHard” - produced by Mr. Porter (10/10) – Another great song! It’s so hard to review these tracks when they’re all great. Another producer I’m unfamiliar with, Mr. Porter delivers a very nice beat for Little Brother. Hold up. Who’s this at the end of the track? “The way he abuses me is beautiful”?!?! Ok…
7. “Step It Up (feat Dion)” - produced by Hi-Tek (9/10) – Hi-Tek has done some great stuff with other artists, such as Talib Kweli (better known as the other half of Reflection Eternal). I’m not sure if I’m feeling the beat he gave to Little Brother though. Phonte & Pooh definitely make this try with their verses, but the beat and the hook by Dion is less than impressive. These interludes are killing me though! “Wash today’s funk off that back!”
8. “Two Step Blues (feat Darien Brockington)” - produced by Nottz (9/10) – another joint here that’ll have you noddin’ yo head. Darien Brockington does a great job on the hook! The beat kind of has an old school feel to it. Definitely sound like a song you could play at a party and have everyone dancing to it. Nice add with the trumpet in the song too. This is a song for the old heads! Nice to hear a flashback to The Listening with the interlude playing a snippet of “The Way You Do It”. That was a good tribute.
9. “That Ain’t Love (feat Jozeemo)” - produced by Illmind (10/10) – I like this song. I’m gonna have to look out for Illmind; he really did his thing on this album. Nothing much to say about this track. It’s just a nice feel-good song. Jozeemo doesn’t shine until the end, but he’s alright.
10. “Dreams” - produced by Rashid Hadee (10/10) – Damn, I may need to reevaluate my rankings! This is my song right here! How many times have I said that already? Love the beginning of the track where Phonte said he was playing this album for a friend and that friend said that they loved the record, but something was different; something wasn’t the same. Phone said, “That’s the point!” Great line to describe a great album. Lyrically this song is insane…”Mama I got dreams, but dreams don’t keep the lights on…. f*ck that; Get Yours.” Honestly I think Phonte can sing a hook better than half of these R&B cats out there. Oh and the beat? Rashid Hadee smooths it out on a serious tip! This song is the joint!
11. “When Everything Is New” - produced by Zo! (9/10) – Another smooth jam here. Man, I can’t believe that’s Phonte on the hook! This is the longest track on the album, mainly because it takes about a minute to get into. Phonte starts the song of with a short monologue. Damn, these guys are really humble. Everything that they’ve been through, they do not quit and I hope they eventually get theirs. They are one of the best in the game right now and the industry needs to recognize this! Phonte & Pooh sound like really cool cats though. I’d love to meet and just hang out with them. About this track… it’s good. Lyrically on point, as usually. The beat’s ok; not my favorite. The strings seem to overpower the song a little bit. But it’s alright.

Bonus Track

1. “The Getaway” - produced by Khrysis (iTunes Bonus Track) (10/10) – Why was this a bonus track?!?! Damn, I’m lovin’ these Khrysis beats! I almost snapped my head off my shoulders; noddin’ it so hard. I’m just glad I was able to cop this off iTunes without buying the whole album again. Supposedly Little Brother recorded around 50 tracks for Getback. Wish I could hear them all! But I believe we got the best of the best. If anyone has them other bonus tracks, hit me up please!

Total Runtime: 51 minutes 40 seconds
Overall Score: 9.75/10

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