Resurrection was your anthem. It was political and spiritual, but Common could still bust a verse about NBA Jams right in the middle of it. With much anticipation for his third effort, Comm upped the ill spiritual and many folks couldn't hang. Heads hadn't heard an "Introspective" on a hip hop album before. From the moment I heard the "Invocation," I knew Common was on some shit: "Envisioning the hereafter, listening to Steve Wonder, on a quest for love like the Proceed drummer..." Take a listen, it's one of the strongest opening tracks there is. Just when you think he goes off quietly, he rips on the next track: "I be the big Illinois, here to build and destroy..." Then he flips the script on "Retrospective" talking about abortion and self-realization. Teams up with De La on "Gettin Down At The Amphitheater" for an old-school flavored roller skating jam. All this within the first 15 minutes of the album. This hecticness is where he lost some heads, but if you really give it a full listen, you'll see that it makes like the title. How many of you think perfect linear? I'm thinking about mad things at all times. The only time I'm thinking about one thing consistently is when I'm watching p**no. "One Day" is like mind spray... life, parents, babies, race, and NBA Jams all fried into an egg roll from Bedford. If you ain't down for this type of review, here's your review: Yo son, this is that third Common piece it's kinda soft, but there are some ill jams on here with Canibus and De La, but I'm not feelin that poetry shit or that baby shit. Funk that son, I got mad seeds... whatever.

• 25th anniversary edition
• 'caramel swirl' colored double vinyl pressing
• first time on vinyl in 15 years
• individually numbered w/ printed insert + obi strip
• limited edition of 1997
• original release year: 1997
• music label: Get On Down 2022

reviewed by the mgmnt 03/2005