Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty [CD]

The album is great with of 5 excellent tracks that really stand out from the rest. While not quite on the level of Stankonia it's a very very close second and well worth a listen if you liked any of Outkast's previous releases.

With most great albums, it usually takes several listens before its quality becomes clear. However after one spin the quality reveals itself from the get go. More importantly, you know that the album is going to get better with each and every listen. And it does...

The first half of the album consists of the more upbeat funky numbers, while the second half takes a more down-tempo route. The production is top-notch and there is just so much going on with layers upon layers of brilliant and wonderful sound. The music is simply superb!

I always (unfairly) thought Andre was the more talented half of Outkast. This album emphatically demonstrates just how wrong you can be. I would go as far to say that this up there with Prince at his most creative peak. If you like good music, not necessarily quality hip-hop, then this album is up there with one of the better albums you will hear this year. Well worth investing the time and money to get to know it.

This album has been much hyped, and much awaited, and I was so excited when I finally got hold of it. I am a big Outkast fan, and I felt that the split album 'Speakerbox/ The Love Below' showed that Big Boi had huge potential for a solo record. Finally it is here!

Overall, I think the album is an excellent start. It's got Big Boi written all over it - very funky, with a smooth feel and an easy-going yet also assertive style of lyrical delivery. Big Boi isn't quite as experimental with his sound as Andre 3000, but he is still innovative, and the beats on this album will testitfy to that, as they are quite varied.

Lyrically, I felt that the album flitted between the sharp and observant and the more mundane. There's some great wordplay and humorous non-sequitors, but there are also bits that are less lyrically impressive. There's a fair dose of boastful bravado and lady-loving, but Big Boi doesn't let it doesn't drop too much into the gutter, unlike so many rappers today. His violence is mostly in the context of what he will do if you try and put him down, rather than boasting about fighting and killing every day. However, I will admit that I was a little disappointed that quite a few of the lyrics are dedicated to boasting, talking about how great it is that he is back and so on.

Having said that, his delivery throughout the album is superb. His rhymes are incredibly dexterous, and unlike some other rappers he never sounds strained, even when rapping extremely fast. His voice has rich, rounded sound which gives him a big vocal presence.

I think it's a shame that Andre 3000 couldn't appear on any of the tracks (apart from producing 'You ain't no DJ'). I heard that record label blocked any vocal appearance, though that may not be true. In some ways it's a good thing, as this album is now very much Big Boi instead of Outkast, but on the other hand there are a couple of tracks that would have been absolutely sublime with a short feature from Dre. There are a lot of other guest stars on the album, but on the whole Big Boi manages to stay the star throughout, with the featuring artists complementing rather than overriding.

As I said, overall I think the album is really good, and there are some songs on here that I am sure will be big hits as singles. However, I think that Big Boi is still getting into his solo-artist sound, and there is a little room for improvement, which he is more than capable of achieving. I will definitely be checking out his future solo work!

Here are a few quick notes on my impressions of the songs -

Feel Me - It's only an intro, but it has such a cool sound it's worth mentioning briefly!

Daddy Fat Sax - Upbeat, power-packed song, a great album opener. Thematically, it reminds me of 'Bowtie' from 'Speakerbox'

Turns Me On - Laid-back, sassy song with an insistent beat underneath the smooth vocals of the chorus. Has a real Outkast vibe.

Follow Us - Vonnegutt's vocals are quite distinctive, and the bubbling beat is very funky. Seems to be following in the steps of other rock-rap collaborations, but with it's innovative electronic sound it is at least higher quality than most such offerings.

Shutterbug - Fantastic, this will get stuck in your head the first time you hear it! Very funky and electronic, great lyric delivery and has a brilliant beat. This is the kind of sound which Big Boi does so well.

General Patton - This song has an aggressive, militaristic feel and also has a choir sample in it (which works brilliantly - they sound like heralds to his grand enterance). Big Boi's vocals are in-your-face, but somehow also relaxed, as he asserts himself with ease.

Tangerine - Starting with the low growl of a guitar, this is a sexy strip-joint type song dedicated to Big Boi's appreciation for the ladies and their assets!

You Ain't No DJ - With it's wacky futuristic sound, and taunting chorus, this song has an innovative feel, and is rather catchy.

Hustle Blood - Jamie Foxx provides some smooth, sexy, soulful vocals for this laid-back song.

Be Still - Janelle Monae is probably the female to watch at the moment, and for good reason. Her vocals on this track are superb, but I wish she had been given a chance to do a bit more on this song. Still, the song has a brilliantly chilled, effortlessly cool feel - actually it feels a bit Andre 3000 -ish!

Fo Yo Sorrows - I really like this song. It's part soulful lament, part screw-you-I'll-do-my-thing-anyway, part political platform. Lyrically, I think this is one of the sharpest on the album.

Night Night - Fierce, fast delivery from Big Boi, and I love Joi's dramatic vocals.

Shine Blockas - Perhaps the least remarkable song on the album. The sound is ok, though not outstanding, and the theme of the lyrics is basically telling the "haters" that they can't stop your shine. Not bad, but not particularly spectacular.

The Train, Pt. 2 (Sir Lucious Left Foot Saves the Day) - Great, funky, beat and a soulful chorus. I also really like the opening to this song.

Back Up Plan - A nice final song - Big Boi's delivery remains completely on point and the chorus is a low, slow group vocal bit which contrasts brilliantly, with the jumping beat.