I reviewed A Tribe Called Quest’s surprise last album this past week. I also had a few bonus thoughts about it:
First: “The Space Program” is ATCQ’s best lead song since “Steve Biko.”
Best ATCQ lead songs
- 1. Excursions
2. Steve Biko
3. Push It Along
4. Space Program
5. Phony Rappers[1. ATCQ should have opened Beats, Rhymes and Life with “The Pressure” and closed it with either “Mind Power” or “The Hop.”
6. (ironically) Start It Up
Second: “The Donald” is ATCQ’s best closing song since “God Lives Through.”
Best ATCQ closing songs
- 1. God Lives Through
2. The Donald
3. Scenario [1. “Scenario” is obviously a classic but I always thought it was a weird song to stick at the end. “Vibes and Stuff” or “Jazz” might have been worked better.
4. Rock Rock Ya’ll
5. Stressed Out
6. Description of a Fool
Third: “Black Spasmodic” is the best “Phife rhymes first” song since “Baby Phife’s Return.”
Best “Phife rhymes first” songs
- 1. Buggin Out
2. Check the Rhime
3. Scenario
4. Baby Phife’s Return
5. Black Spasmodic
6. Busta’s Lament