Aquemini (Edited) Review

07/13/2005 7:24 AM, AMG


Outkast (Andre Benjamin and Big Boi) follows up their first two releases with a musically and thematically more advanced third album, Aquemini. Even the title is intriguing, with its suggestions of the mystical and astrological. In fact, on this album, spirituality and mysticism prove to be significant interests for Outkast. This is immediately reinforced by the first song on Aquemini, "Hold On, Be Strong." With Andre Benjamin gently playing the kalimba over a slow, funked-out bassline, the Four Phonics harmoniously provide supportive lyrics and Donny Mathis plays resonant four-note licks on the guitar as Outkast prepares the listener for an experience.

Always dependable (as are their labelmates the Goodie Mob) for their conscious intelligence and easily identifiable Southern accents, lyrics, and bass-fortified, bouncing rhythms, Outkast does not stray too far from their expected path on Aquemini. They do, however, use live instrumentation and vocalists to a larger degree than previously. The result of these efforts manifests itself in a full, diverse, and developed sounding album. This album is clearly hip-hop or rap music, but may initially be rejected by traditional rap fans because if its unconventional use of instruments (the kalimba on "Hold On, Be Strong," the harmonica in "Rosa Parks," the piano in "Liberation," the drums, guitar, and live percussion on many of the tracks). Perhaps the most unconventional of the songs on Aquemini is "SpottieOttieDopalicious," twhose sleepy bass groove and lulling drums provide a subtle bed for the horn stabs that dance in unison chords around the key provided by the guitar strokes. The background of this song is filled with eerie delay and echo effects, women breathing heavily, and animated percussion accents. When Andre and Big Boi flow over the beat in "SpottieOttieDopalicious," tit's more like spoken word than metered rhyme. Still, the musical strength of this song overpowers any disinterest one may have in their vocal delivery. Other artists featured on this album include Wu-Tang's Raekwon, the Goodie Mob, Erykah Badu, Masada Hogans, Witchdoctor, and George Clinton, who joins Outkast on the apocalytically themed "Synthesizer."

A challenging and infectious album, Aquemini documents another stage in the progresion of Outkast as artists. [Aquemini was also released in a clean version, with all vulgarities removed.] ~ Qa'id Jacobs, All Music Guide