Arrested Development | ||
| Allmusic Biography : One of the major success stories of 1992, Arrested Development are a progressive rap collective fusing soul, blues, hip-hop, and Sly & the Family Stone-influenced funk with political, socially conscious lyrics. The group was founded in the late 80s by rapper Speech and DJ Headliner, who decided to make the transition to a more positive, Afrocentric viewpoint after hearing Public Enemy. Arrested Developments debut album took its title from the amount of time it took the group to secure a record contract; 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... produced the hit single "Tennessee," a strongly spiritual track that hit the Top Ten and sparked the album to sell over four million copies. Its two follow-ups, "People Everyday" (a rewrite of Slys "Everyday People") and "Mr. Wendal" did likewise. Accolades poured in; Arrested Development won Grammys for Best Rap Album and Best New Artist, and was named Rolling Stones Band of the Year. The group returned one year later with Zingalamaduni, which some reviews hailed as a major work, though overall response was more ambivalent. In 1996, contrary to Speechs earlier assertion that the group would be around for ten or 12 years, Arrested Development officially broke up. Speech went solo, though his debut album failed to make an impact. In 2006, the band reunited and released Since the Last Time in Japan. A year later the album saw release in the U.S. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 15 Title: 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of… Released: 1992-03-24 Tracks: 15 Duration: 57:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Man’s Final Frontier (02:39) 2 Mama’s Always on Stage (03:25) 3 People Everyday (03:26) 4 Blues Happy (00:46) 5 Mr. Wendal (04:08) 6 Children Play With Earth (02:39) 7 Raining Revolution (03:56) 8 Fishin’ 4 Religion (04:10) 9 Give a Man a Fish (04:23) 10 U (05:02) 11 Eve of Reality (01:42) 12 Natural (04:30) 13 Dawn of the Dreads (05:18) 14 Tennessee (04:34) 15 Washed Away (06:23) |
| 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of… : Allmusic album Review : Widely adored when it appeared in 1992, Arrested Developments debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... seemed to herald a shining new era in alternative rap, when audiences and critics of all colors could agree on the musics importance. Of course, that didnt happen, as Dr. Dre instead took gangsta rap to the top of the charts with The Chronic. In retrospect, 3 Years... isnt quite as revolutionary as it first seemed, though its still a fine record that often crosses the line into excellence. Its positive messages were the chief selling point for many rock critics, and its filled with pleas for black unity and brotherly compassion, as well as a devotion to the struggle for equality. All of that is grounded in a simple, upbeat spirituality that also results in tributes to the homeless (the hit "Mr. Wendal"), black women of all shapes and sizes, and the natural world. Its determinedly down to earth, and that aesthetic informs the groups music as well. Their sound is a laid-back, southern-fried groove informed by rural blues, African percussion, funk, and melodic R&B. All of it comes together on the classic single "Tennessee," which takes lead rapper Speech on a spiritual quest to reclaim his heritage in a south still haunted by its history. It helped Arrested Development become the first rap group to win a Grammy for Best New Artist, and to top numerous year-end critical polls. In hindsight, theres a distinct political correctness -- even naïveté -- in the lyrics, which places the record firmly in the early 90s; its also a bit self-consciously profound at times, lacking the playfulness of peers like the Native Tongues. Nonetheless, 3 Years... was a major influence on a new breed of alternative Southern hip-hop, including Goodie Mob, OutKast, and Nappy Roots, and it still stands as one of the better albums of its kind. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 15 Title: Unplugged Released: 1993-03-23 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:07:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Time (00:53) 2 Give a Man a Fish (04:05) 3 The Gettin (02:10) 4 Natural (04:55) 5 Searchin for One Soul (01:22) 6 Raining Revolution (04:33) 7 Fishin 4 Religion (04:04) 8 Mamas Always on Stage (03:21) 9 U (05:21) 10 Mr. Wendal (04:35) 11 People Everyday (06:52) 12 Give a Man a Fish (instrumental) (04:10) 13 The Gettin (instrumental) (02:10) 14 Natural (instrumental) (04:55) 15 Searchin for One Soul (instrumental) (01:22) 16 Raining Revolution (instrumental) (04:33) 17 Mamas Always on Stage (instrumental) (04:37) 18 Mr. Wendal (instrumental) (03:30) |
| Unplugged : Allmusic album Review : Basically a live rerecording of 3 Years, 5 Months, & 2 Days In the Life of ... (minus their breakthrough hit, "Tennessee"), Unplugged breaks no new ground for Arrested Development. Eight of the eleven songs on the album are from their debut, and the three new tracks are slight. The album is filled out with remixes of seven tracks, which are the instrumental tracks with the vocals turned down (they are still slightly audible). Despite the fact that it doesnt offer anything not on 3 Years, the album is an enjoyable listen. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 15 Title: Zingalamaduni Released: 1994-06-14 Tracks: 15 Duration: 54:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 WMFW (We Must Fight & Win) FM (01:55) 2 United Minds (05:16) 3 Ache’n for Acres (02:39) 4 United Front (04:40) 5 Africa’s Inside Me (03:11) 6 Pride (05:38) 7 Shell (03:28) 8 Mister Landlord (02:48) 9 Warm Sentiments (04:09) 10 The Drum (01:57) 11 In the Sunshine (04:31) 12 Kneelin’ at My Altar (02:33) 13 Fountain of Youth (03:20) 14 Ease My Mind (04:12) 15 Praisin’ U (04:02) |
| Zingalamaduni : Allmusic album Review : The follow-up to Arrested Developments hugely acclaimed debut, Zingalamaduni was something of a letdown, and not just because conscious raps moment in the sun was over for the time being. The record is simply less exciting, falling prey to too many aimless grooves that dont always capture the effortless earthiness of the debuts best moments. Thats a shame, because there are subtle progressions on the groups signature sound. Theres more frequent and explicit use of African musical elements, especially chanting; that reflects a slightly more Afrocentric viewpoint in the lyrics (not to mention the albums title, which is Swahili for "beehive of culture"), which tones down the sunny positivity of the debut somewhat. A few cuts are jazzier than anything on the debut, yet the overall lack of focus produces too many lackluster-to-average moments. The best tracks are a match for their counterparts on 3 Years... (save for "Tennessee"); songs like "Mr. Landlord," "Achen for Acres," "Praisin U," and the catchy "In the Sunshine" illustrate why some critics found reasons to like Zingalamaduni that werent purely intellectual. But overall, it failed to captivate Arrested Developments audience the way its predecessor had. Not until the ascendance of the Fugees would another group command the level of critical and commercial respect that Arrested Development had in its prime. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 15 Title: Best of Arrested Development Released: 1998-05-25 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:11:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 People Everyday (Metamorphosis radio edit) (04:58) 2 Mr. Wendal (04:08) 3 Raining Revolution (03:56) 4 Tennessee (04:34) 5 Africas Inside Me (Zingalamaduni mix) (03:13) 6 Revolution (04:49) 7 Give a Man a Fish (04:26) 8 Ease My Mind (03:39) 9 Fishing 4 Religion (04:12) 10 Natural (04:21) 11 Pride (05:22) 12 Shell (03:44) 13 Mama’s Always on Stage (03:25) 14 Ease My Mind (Another Perspective mix) (04:11) 15 Mr. Wendal (Perfecto mix) (05:52) 16 People Everyday (live) (06:50) |
 | Album: 5 of 15 Title: The Best of Arrested Development Released: 1998-06-16 Tracks: 10 Duration: 42:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tennessee (04:34) 2 Ease My Mind (04:15) 3 Fishin’ 4 Religion (04:10) 4 Natural (04:30) 5 Mr. Wendal (04:08) 6 People Everyday (03:30) 7 United Front (04:43) 8 Revolution (04:49) 9 Give a Man a Fish (04:23) 10 Mama’s Always on Stage (03:25) |
| The Best of Arrested Development : Allmusic album Review : The Best of Arrested Development is part of EMI-Capitol Special Markets excellent Ten Best Series, a budget-line series that features an artists ten biggest hits in their original recorded versions. All of Arrested Developments seven charting R&B; hits -- "Tennessee," "People Everyday," "Revolution," "Mr. Wendal," "Natural," "Ease My Mind," and "United Front" -- along with three album tracks, like "Fishin 4 Religion" and "Give a Man a Fish" are here. Although the disc is not sequenced in chronological order, the very fact that all these hits are on one disc at such an affordable price makes The Best of Arrested Development a terrific choice for budget-minded casual fans. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 15 Title: Da Feelin’ Released: 2000-09-06 Tracks: 7 Duration: 30:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 If Dey Ask… (05:00) 2 Fame (03:43) 3 Fire (03:07) 4 Not Worthy (04:12) 5 On Conscious (06:03) 6 Conditional Love (original version) (03:59) 7 Fayetteville Experience (04:27) |
 | Album: 7 of 15 Title: The Heroes of the Harvest Released: 2001-01-24 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:19:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Heroes of the Harvest (02:45) 2 In tha South (04:35) 3 Rules 2 tha Game (05:12) 4 Music & Life (02:43) 5 Somewhere in North Georgia (03:42) 6 The Story of Us (01:52) 7 Strugglin’ (02:44) 8 Lost Soldiers (06:06) 9 If Dey Ask… (03:40) 10 Hit the Road Jack (03:12) 11 Conditional Love (Pocket Monsta’s version) (04:56) 12 If U Want Me 2 Stay (05:09) 13 Salted Meat (03:06) 14 Love Is Contagious (03:40) 15 I Wanna Go Out 2night (04:21) 16 The Challenge (03:55) 17 Arrested Development (04:30) 18 Resurrection (Man’s Final Frontier) (02:38) 19 On Conscious (06:06) 20 U Complete Me (04:03) |
 | Album: 8 of 15 Title: Greatest Hits Released: 2001-10-30 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:17:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 People Everyday (04:56) 2 Mr. Wendal (04:08) 3 Tennessee (04:34) 4 United Front (04:40) 5 Revolution (04:49) 6 Natural (04:21) 7 Tell Me Something (Let Me Know) (03:31) 8 Fountain of Youth (03:20) 9 Can U Hear Me? (04:19) 10 Africa’s Inside Me (03:11) 11 Shell (03:28) 12 Give a Man a Fish (04:23) 13 Fishin’ 4 Religion (04:10) 14 Mama’s Always on Stage (03:25) 15 Like Marvin Gaye Said (Whats Going on) (03:45) 16 Ease My Mind (04:12) 17 Natural (unplugged) (04:58) 18 People Everyday (unplugged) (06:55) |
 | Album: 9 of 15 Title: Classic Masters Released: 2002-01-29 Tracks: 12 Duration: 47:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tennessee (04:34) 2 People Everyday (03:26) 3 Mr. Wendal (04:06) 4 Ease My Mind (04:12) 5 Revolution (04:48) 6 Natural (04:32) 7 Mamas Always on Stage (03:19) 8 Mister Landlord (02:46) 9 Southern Fried Funk (02:52) 10 Give a Man a Fish (04:25) 11 United Front (04:34) 12 Like Marvin Said (Whats Goin On) (04:16) |
| Classic Masters : Allmusic album Review : For a brief, shining moment at the dawn of the 90s, it seemed that Arrested Developments debut 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of would have as lasting an impact as Nirvanas Nevermind, which also ruled the charts in 1992. As it turns out, Nevermind ushered in years of grunge, indie rock, and, sadly, terrible hard rock, but 3 Years wound up as the last big gasp of alt-rap before it was subsumed by gangsta after The Chronic. As such, Arrested Developments music has dated slightly, sounding like its time rather than transcending it, as this edition of Classic Masters illustrates. As a collection, its quite good, containing not just every one of the groups hits and singles, but a B-side ("Southern Fried Funk"), a few album tracks, and Speechs 1995 solo single, "Like Marvin Said (Whats Goin On)." Several singles stand the test of time and emerge as classics, particularly "Tennessee," while several sound a little too closely tied to their time, but overall this is an excellent overview of the last great Daisy-Age era alt-rap crew. 3 Years remains definitive, but if you want a sampler, containing bits of Zingalamundi plus Revolution, this is the one to get. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 15 Title: Among the Trees Released: 2004-08-02 Tracks: 19 Duration: 58:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 From the Start (00:51) 2 A Lotta Things to Do (02:42) 3 Esmeralda (03:12) 4 Luxury, Part I (03:50) 5 Luxury, Part II (01:50) 6 Honeymoon Prelude (00:25) 7 Honeymoon Day (04:19) 8 Wag Your Tail (04:53) 9 Calling All Ghetto Children (03:02) 10 In the Sun (03:35) 11 Among the Trees (06:12) 12 Baba Intro (00:35) 13 Baba o Je’ Is the Oldest One, Part I (03:18) 14 Baba o Je’ Is the Oldest One, Part II (02:03) 15 I’m Ignoring You (03:28) 16 Pain Thangs (03:42) 17 Night Time Demons (04:08) 18 Tings Distracting (03:56) 19 A Lotta Things to Do (remix) (02:39) |
 | Album: 11 of 15 Title: Down And Dirty (EP) Released: 2006 Tracks: 5 Duration: 18:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Down & Dirty (Clap Your Hands) (radio edit) (03:26) 2 Down & Dirty (Clap Your Hands) (album version) (04:01) 3 Miracles (03:49) 4 Heaven (03:21) 5 Sunshine (04:15) |
 | Album: 12 of 15 Title: Since the Last Time Released: 2006-09-06 Tracks: 13 Duration: 47:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Since the Last Time (03:38) 2 Miracles (03:49) 3 Down & Dirty (Clap Your Hands) (04:00) 4 Heaven (03:21) 5 Sao Paulo (04:21) 6 Sunshine (04:15) 7 Stand (03:32) 8 It’s Time (03:15) 9 Inner City (03:28) 10 I Know I’m Bad (03:12) 11 I Got the Feeling (03:58) 12 Caught Me (04:10) 13 Nobody Believes Me Anyway (02:47) |
| Since the Last Time : Allmusic album Review : Lively hippies and pop-rap hip-hoppers Arrested Development were not on the über-cool list in 2007 when their Since the Last Time album landed on most shores (Japan got in 2006 because the country never gave up on this little act that could). Suing the beloved Arrested Development television show over name rights and appearing on the "where are they now and have they no shame?" series Hit Me Baby One More Time made this 15-year-old act seem like it was better off forgotten, which is why Since the Last Time is such a shock. Once the listener gets past the opening title track -- a history lesson in song thats best left for longtime fans -- the album opens up into a hook-filled world of positive, effervescent songs that are intoxicating in a sunshine way, as if the jam band attitude invaded hip-hop. "Miracles" is an instantly gripping slice of fast funk that captures that same Sly Stone magic the band caught on their 1992 track "People Everyday." More warm memories of ADs debut album are brought on by "Sunshine" and "Stand," but the hyperkinetic "I Know Im Bad" is a completely welcome curveball with the band sounding more raw than they ever have. Leader Speech writes lyrics that are as hopeful as ever, with the added benefit of being a little older and wiser. In the end, the only reason to complain is that his frequent referencing of the band and its past is a little too insider for this otherwise outgoing and welcoming effort. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 15 Title: Strong Released: 2009-12-09 Tracks: 12 Duration: 47:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bloody (03:22) 2 Let Your Voice Be Heard (04:35) 3 The Trends (03:55) 4 Haters (04:06) 5 Any Tree But That (03:18) 6 Greener (05:39) 7 Too Much Woman For Ya (03:38) 8 La La La (03:33) 9 We Rad, We Doin’ It (03:42) 10 The World is Changing (03:56) 11 Africa We Thank Ya (04:05) 12 Freedom (04:09) |
 | Album: 14 of 15 Title: Standing At The Crossroads Released: 2012-08 Tracks: 13 Duration: 50:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 20 (03:53) 2 Living (04:15) 3 Be Scared (02:40) 4 Represent 1 Time (02:19) 5 Nobody Can Replace Your Love (04:39) 6 Making A Vibe (03:52) 7 Soul Sister (04:20) 8 Raga In Coolangatta (04:02) 9 My Reflection (04:07) 10 I Dont Know Why I Ever Doubted (03:22) 11 U & Me = 3 (04:19) 12 Ima Fight Back Right Now (04:37) 13 Everywhere I Go (03:56) |
 | Album: 15 of 15 Title: Changing The Narrative Released: 2016-02-12 Tracks: 13 Duration: 47:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 It’s A Star Time (03:58) 2 Unstoppable (03:33) 3 Get Up (04:15) 4 Devoted To The People (02:41) 5 Let’s Build (03:22) 6 Right Direction (03:13) 7 Better Days (02:52) 8 I Knew It (04:02) 9 I Don’t See You At The Club (04:42) 10 Stage Sex (03:55) 11 Smile (03:07) 12 U2 (03:57) 13 Open (03:38) |