The Love Below half of this double-album...

This isn't new news. In fact, for many, it might be old news. But if you haven't heard The Love Below, Andre 3000's half of the double-album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by Outkast, you should check it out. Even if you don't like hip/hop I would strongly recommend checking this album out because its hip/hop influences are much less obvious than its R&B and Jazz influences.

A quick history of the album. Big Boi and Andre 3000, the two behind Outkast, were going in different artistic directions. So instead of collaborating on Outkast's next album, they each made a solo album and packaged them together as a double-album from Outkast. Speakerboxxx, Big Boi's half, is also very good (although it doesn't have "it" like The Love Below does) but it is much less accessible to non hip/hop aficionados.

In my opinion, this is one of the best albums ever recorded. A few years ago I was planted firmly in the "I don't like hip/hop" group. A friend of mine burned this album for me and told me that I had to listen to it. I was rolling my eyes but I humored him. I was f***ing blown away. Several years later I listen to a lot of hip/hop, especially stuff with a lot of R&B influences like The Love Below. I still can't get into any hip/hop that is too angry like Wu-Tang (I don't like the aggressiveness and borderline yelling, but I can definitely appreciate it better now) but there is so much other good hip/hop out there. I digress…

The Love Below is brilliant for many reasons. I love now eclectic it is. The number of textures and styles that Andre 3000 is able to weave together in a purposeful and flowing way in 80 minutes is astounding. The production is top shelf; the album sounds spectacular. It is also a concept album (an idiom I feel is not done very well most of the time) about a man going through all the stages of meeting the love of his life. Hence, all the lyrics are clearly related to a central theme yet still irreverent and funny.

This album has everything: a few fat beats, a guitar solo, back-up string ensembles, a remix of John Coltrane's version of My Favorite Things, beautiful melodies in every track, a few seconds of free-jazz tenor saxophone, humor, and much more… In three years I haven't been able to get over this album. Obviously I am coming from a biased place, but I can guarantee that there are redeeming qualities in this album for all of you "I don't like hip/hop-ers". And if you like hip/hop but haven't heard this album (or really anything Outkast) do yourself a big favor.

One more testament to this album's greatness. Ever since I started listening to music I have always been more of a depth and not breadth listener. That is, I binge on artists I like. I don't listen to a ton of artists, but the ones I do listen to I listen to a lot. Hence, I listen to lots of artists with a lot of live music. I find I don't like listening to artists without a wealth of material because, even if I really like their music, I get bored of the studio album after not that long but I want to keep listening to them. There are many other studio works out there that I consider to be on a similar level to The Love Below. However, The Love Below is the only one that has not yet gotten old. I have probably heard this album over 200 times and it hasn't become less interesting.

These are just some of my thoughts, take'm or leave'm.

Penn42

Sick album, great review. Tribe called quest is the shit, too.

This album is great, but IMO Aquemini is the best Outkast. I'm gonna listen to this today because of you review. Thank you.

@AugustWest2001 said:

Tribe called quest is the shit, too.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=T-O88c9CRyk#[/youtube]

LOL sorry I had to

I heartily agree. Except replace every time "The Love Below" is typed and replace it with "ATLiens". Its by far my favorite non-rock album and I used to listen to at least one or 2 songs every single day. Still do actually. The subject matters are very mature for a couple hip hop artists in their mid 20's. They're singing about real life issues and very troubling realities along with lighter material. Give the disc a couple spins and some might come to appreciate rap as more than just songs glorifying drug use or sex

I'm going to check this one out. Thanks for the review and recommendation.

The Low End Theory
Blowout Comb

While we're on hip-hop, check these two out as well, if you don't have them already.