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Dollars & Sense ratings system | Complete list Best album of 2000 (tie) | The rest of the Best of 2000 OUTKAST, Stankonia, LaFace To say that Dre and Big Boi "take it to the next level" would be cliché... we'd be surprised if they weren't on some elevated plateau. While the Atlanta duo continues to experiment and expand on their previous efforts, their most impressive trait is that they are consistently fresh both lyrically and musically. And although their previous release, Aquemini, garnered a $50 despite one so-so track, Stankonia never misses. Also impressive is their ability to take aggressive songs like "B.O.B." and "Gasoline Dreams;" laid-back tracks like "So Fresh, So Clean" and "Slum Beautiful;" and humorous, somewhat playful cuts like "Call Before I Come" and "We Luv Dez Hoez" and meld them into a cohesive effort that becomes their fourth classic. Skits may appear to take up too much space on the track listings, but most are short enough that they never become a problem. Several guest artists (B-Real, Erykah Badu, Slimm Calhoun, members of the Goodie MOB and others) are sprinkled throughout, but not to the point that this is no longer an Outkast album. In the past, groups have tried to mix a message in with their music, only to come off preachy... Outkast, on the other hand, blends in talk of dashed dreams and hopeful futures without ever losing street credibility. Listen and learn until their next classic. Click here to find out how to buy this album. -- The W More reviews... www.the411online.com All contents ©1994-2006 The 411 Online News | Reviews | Interviews | Discussion | Coming Up | Flashbacks In the Trunk | Radio | Best of... | Award Tour | Exhibit | Links | E-mail