1) Feel Me (Intro)
Decent sounding intro. The "damn, and that wasn't nothing but the intro" comment at the end wasn't all that necessary, and it actually makes me like it less. Sorry, I just hate when people brag about stuff that isn't that impressive.
2) Daddy Fat Sax
Great way to start things off, as far as complete songs are concerned. The production is hot, as are the verses, hook, and bridge. This actually would've served as a good intro since it's short, clocking in at just 2 minutes and 36 seconds. Oh well, doesn't make that much of a difference.
3) Turns Me On (feat. Sleepy Brown & Joi)
What was with the "niggas don't fuck with a nigga like me because a nigga like me don't fuck around" part at the beginning?? What purpose did it serve?? It was just vulgar for the sake of being vulgar, and had nothing to do with the song. I know 'Kast albums don't need a reason to do things, but it was just odd.
Anyway, Turns Me On is some good ol' OutKast shit (kind of sounds like it belonged on Idlewild). The beat, the hook, the feel, it's just so OutKast and I love it!
With that being said, it would've been nice to hear Andre 3000's voice on it. Unfortunately Jive wouldn't allow any tracks featuring 3000 to be on the album, so that could be why he's not on here, and definitely why Lookin' 4 Ya and Royal Flush didn't "make the album." Still a super dope song either way.
4) Follow Us (feat. Vonnegutt)
Nothing against Vonnegutt, but I'm not really feeling his vocals. They aren't egregious enough to ruin the song, but I just don't like his voice that much. That's just me though, you might love it, so no points off for that.
Either way, Follow Us is still a useful track. The beat and lyrics were cool (favorite bars: "With so many bosses why are they still, layin' niggas off they job? Nigga for real!"), so I can find little fault with hit, though it is no homerun.
In my opinion, the best part is the extra few bars (I think Big Rube?) spit at the end. He ripped that shit, and unlike the intro on Turns Me On, it doesn't feel odd or unnecessary.
5) Shutterbug (feat. Cutty)
Shutterbug is a nice little song and was a decent choice for a single. I don't really love any element of it, but I still like it overall and it's not all that skippable. That's always a good thing.
6) General Patton
Loud, very loud...but I like it! Dope beat and lyrics by Big and Big Rube, though it was kind of weird to hear spoken word over such a loud track.
I would've loved to hear Ludacris on here, this beat is right up his alley (think Coming 2 America from Word Of Mouf). That probably would've taken the song to the next level, and also allowed that Big Rube verse to be used elsewhere. But as is, it's still hot.
Oh, and the "David Blaine" was hilarious! I'd never try it, but it'd be funny to see done.
7) Tangerine (feat. T.I. & Khujo Goodie)
Super hot! I love Tangerine! Then again, what's not to like about it?? Awesome in all aspects and a great use of a feature (T.I. has been very vintage T.I. lately, am I the only one noticing this??). Now I'm not saying it will become a big hit record, but if it does, I would be less than surprised. Great summer record as well.
(Side note: Are they stripping to this in Atlanta yet?? If they are, it might be time to put my hate for road trip to the side.)
8) You Ain't No DJ (feat. Yelawolf)
We have an Andre 3000 sighting, I repeat, we have an Andre 3000 sighting! Unfortunately it isn't in the form of a verse or hook (thanks again Jive, smart move), but 3000 offers up some production.
You Ain't No DJ can't truly be appreciated until you hear it in a car with a system, or really anything with bass. This 3000 beat is bumpin'! I already thought the song was good, but hearing it how it was supposed to be heard, only elevates it more.
Did anybody bother telling Yelawolf the hook or what the song was about before he submitted his verse?? He mentioned DJ Toomp at some point in his first verse, but that was it. Oh well, I still enjoyed both of his verses so it's all good.
Funny skit there at the end (though the chick said "participation" instead of "precipitation" at the end lol). It's easier to overlooked the placement of skits when they're actually funny.
9) Hustle Blood (feat. Jamie Foxx)
Another hot one, and potential single for Big (I actually think I read he was shooting a video but don't quote me on that). The subject matter is a bit curious for men of their age, but that slows it down 0.0%. Foxx does his thing, and Big tears it down with 2 blazing verses. Hustle Blood gets no complaints from me.
(Side note: This song was made even more special because the Jamie Foxx feature was a surprise, I had no idea he was going to be on the album. This is why I don't like looking at tracklisting beforehand anymore, you start forming expectations for songs based on who's on them and what they're titled. I'm not saying I wouldn't have liked Hustle Blood regardless, but maybe I see someone is on a track and expect something totally different from what I get. I may feel disappointed by that. I just prefer a blank slate coming in, that is all.)
10) Be Still (feat. Janelle Monae)
Again, was that piece at the beginning really necessary?? It had nothing to do with Be Still, or even Hustle Blood for that matter. I don't get it, but whatever.
Anyway, Be Still is a solid record. Not outstanding, not out of this world, but very solid. Don't get me wrong though, it's still a useful record, just not anything overly spectacular. After The Archandroid, my bar for Janelle Monae is extremely high, so I was expecting to be blown away. Oh well I love Janelle anyway, so hearing her was a treat regardless. Everything else was good as well.
I don't have much to say about the skit, but maybe I'd like them more if they weren't attracted to the songs?? The ones at the end aren't that bad, but I hate having skits at the beginning of songs.
11) Fo Yo Sorrows (feat. George Clinton, Too $hort & Sam Chris)
Hot! Fo Yo Sorrows leave little to be desired. Grade A production from Organized Noize, dope flow and verses from Big, great use of features, it's just a tight song. I love how Too $hort was incorporated into the record, even if it was for only 6 bars or so.
If I had to give Fo Yo Sorrows a letter grade, it would undoubtedly be an A+.
12) Night Night (feat. B.o.B & Joi)
I'm not even gonna say anything about me having to hear that skit everytime I want to hear this song.
So no B.o.B verse?? We need to start putting some kind of indicators in song titles to let us know whether a rapper is going to spit a verse or just sing the hook. When I heard B.o.B's voice I was expecting a verse, then when it never came I was disappointed. If there was something in the title or something at the beginning of the song to let me know he was only on the hook, I could've prepared myself for it. Let's work on that.
Anyway, this song is pretty good. Nothing too special, but good enough to pass. The beat is aight, the verses were hot, and the hook was ok.
13) Shine Blockas (feat. Gucci Mane)
How much better would this track have been had Gucci Mane not been involved?? 10 times? 20 times? 50 times?? I say the number can't be counted, and if Big had left the space Gucci rapped blank it would've sounded better. I don't know, the whole "I'm mentally challenged but I'm still a human being dammit!" flow doesn't do anything for me. I guess he was OK on the hook, but his verse sucked.
Other than Gucci Mane's involvement Shine Blockas is straight heat. The beat is love and Big does his thing with his verses. Put just about any competent rapper on that middle verse and it's infinity better, but overall it's still a strong record.
14) The Train Pt. 2 (Sir Lucious Left Foot Saves The Day) (feat. Sam Chris)
Here's the sequel to The Train from Idlewild. Very OutKast, very futuristic, very funky, very useful song. All aspects of a good song were covered.
Not sure what was going on with that Rumba inspiring ending, but that's just OutKast.
15) Back Up Plan
B.J. (before Jive) Royal Flush was set to be the last track because Big wanted 3000 to have the last word. Just putting it out there.
Back Up Plan is a fine way to go out regardless. I really liked the hook and it's cadence. The beat is pretty dope and Big doesn't disappoint lyrically either. I like, I like. Again, a fine note to close things out on.
Favorite Song:
Tangerine (feat. T.I. & Khujo Goodie) (Prod. by Knightheat & Big Boi)
Least Favorite Song:
Follow Us (feat. Vonnegutt) (Prod. by Salaam Remi) (Please note that it was tough for me to pick one because there is no track that I didn't like.)
Overall:
Even though we had to wait for what seemed like forever for Big Boi's first official solo effort, it was well worth it. There's very little to complain about musically with Sir Lucious Left Foot, and that's whether you're a diehard 'Kast fan, or a casual listener. I really did have to think long and hard about what I picked for my least favorite record because all 15 tracks were above par. I didn't absolutely love them all, but there was not any stinkers as well.
It sucks that Jive deprived us of Andre 3000, but that's the business I guess. You can't hold that against Big. You can still add the two 3000 tracks to your playlist if you want though, Lookin' 4 Ya would supposed to go after Hustle Blood, and we know Royal Flush was supposed to be the last track.
Jive, give us that Andre solo album and we'll be square.
4.25/5
