With their feel-good humanism, uniquely rural perspective, and melodic blend of funk and rap, Arrested Development seemed like the next big thing in 1992. The group hailed from Atlanta, which was not then a capital of hip-hop and R&B, and this, their debut recording, won the Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics poll. Speech, the primary lyricist, wrote and delivered eloquent attacks on gangsta rap's mindless nihilism: the band's first hit, "Tennessee," spoke of reclaiming Southern black traditions from the racism that sullied their memory, while their second, "People Everyday," deftly updated the Sly Stone classic. Although Speech's rapping style was not distinctive, Dionne Farris's keening vocals highlighted the band's front line. Unfortunately, Speech began to run short of ideas and the band failed to maintain the high standards that this debut set. They disbanded a few years later. --Martin Johnson
Publisher: Capitol
Customer Reviews
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The way house party hip hop is supposed to be made!
This album presents a postive message in the most head bopping way possible. I have owned this album for 15 years now and I still listen to it on a regular basis. A blend of hip hop, soul, funk, and blues. Most of the tracks are upbeat hip hop joints that would rock any dancefloor filled with those who know good music. Just some good ol hip hop with a real southern feel. Add the fact that there are no curses and you have a great cd to welcome your teenager to the world of hip hop done with class.
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Southern Comfort
Before Soulja Boy, before Ludacris, before even the amazing Outkast, Arrested Development put the ATL on the map in a big way. The innovative hip hop collective set a stellar standard to which very few subsequent southern hip hop acts have ever managed to rise.
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<br />"3 Years 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of-- " is an instant classic, buoyed by the positive and powerful (if somewhat nasal) vocals of the ensemble's chief MC, the ever-thoughtful Speech, and the wide-ranging rhythms of Headliner, the "turntable instrumentalist", who draws on such diverse influences as reggae and the blues to craft his banging beats.
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<br />There's not a bad song on this brilliant disc, but standout tracks would have to include the upbeat "Mr. Wendal" (an homage to a homeless man/street griot), the introspective "Fishin' 4 Religion" (a clever critique of the traditional Black church and all of its shortcomings), "U" (a bouncy and sincere song about a young man searching and yearning for his ideal lover/companion), and "People Everyday" (a scathing rebuke of the "gangsta mentality").
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<br />Arrested Development was lightyears ahead of their time, and unfortunately for the world, they seemed to collapse under the weight of their own brilliance. Although "Zingalamaduni" and other subsequent releases were solid efforts, the never quite measured up to the unadulterated genius of "3 Years 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of-- ". Cop this album. You won't be disappointed.
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Great CD
I am a big fan and really enjoy this CD. It was great on my drive from PA to N'awlins.
<br />K
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The Most Innovative Group From Atlanta (5 stars)
Before Outkast, Goodie Mob, and many other voices, there was a group named Arrested Development (Speech, Headliner, Baba Oje, Rasa Don, Aerle Taree, & Motosho Eshe) well known for spreading their African culture and vibes, along with positive messages comming from Atlanta.
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<br />One thing I like about this group is their style was mostly laid back and enjoyable. Most of the contributions of this album were the instruments that were used throughout this album. Speech, who does most of the vocals, makes lyrics that were made to create a positive environment like marrage on the song as "U" and getting a better outlook on religion on "Fishin' 4 Religion". At the same time, they were more for giving back knowledge to others in songs "Give A Man A Fish" & "Mr. Wendal". Other tracks that have a strong positive vibe are "People Everyday", "Tennessee" and "Washed Away". They sample a lot of old artist's songs on this album (a good one would be Sylvester Stewart's "Everyday People" on the song "People Everyday"), I like it though.
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<br />Overall, this was a very innovative album that came out in 1992. Unfortnately this album got over played, that people got tired of this group (I was about 7 when this came out, and I still remember the "Mr. Wendal" song), so when their 1994 album Zinga...(I dear not try to spell that name) came out, people turned the other way. I believe both of their albums should be heard. Also they would appear on MTV's Unplugged in 1993. If you can, try to hear one of the albums by this group, even it's a greatest hits album (they're tons of them floating around), because I pretty sure you'll love it. I recommend this to people who want to hear some African cultural vibes and music.
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<br />Lyrics: A
<br />Production: A+
<br />Musical Vibes: A+
<br />Overall: A+
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<br />Favorite Tracks:Mr. Wendal, People Everyday (reprise), Fishing 4 Religion, Give A Man A Fish, U, Tenessee
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<br />Honorable Mention Track: Natural
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