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3 Years 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of--
by Arrested Development
Product Group: Music
Studio: Capitol
ISBN: B000003JBE
EAN: 0094632192929
UPC: 094632192929
Audio CD
Original Release Date: 1992-03-24
Release Date: 1992-03-24
SKU: 109435
Condition: Fine
Comments: 094632192929 CD in new sleeve & plays perfectly; inserts are fine, too. no jewel case. This title flies by 1st Class or Air in bubble wrap, cardboard and weather-resistant packaging; we are prompt, efficient, communicative.
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Editorial Reviews
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Amazon.com
With their feel-good humanism, uniquely rural perspective, and melodic blend of funk and rap, Arrested Development seemed like the next big thing in 1992. The group hailed from Atlanta, which was not then a capital of hip-hop and R&B, and this, their debut recording, won the Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics poll. Speech, the primary lyricist, wrote and delivered eloquent attacks on gangsta rap's mindless nihilism: the band's first hit, "Tennessee," spoke of reclaiming Southern black traditions from the racism that sullied their memory, while their second, "People Everyday," deftly updated the Sly Stone classic. Although Speech's rapping style was not distinctive, Dionne Farris's keening vocals highlighted the band's front line. Unfortunately, Speech began to run short of ideas and the band failed to maintain the high standards that this debut set. They disbanded a few years later. --Martin Johnson
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Customer Reviews
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Classic, brings back lots of memories
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-08-27
I'm going to take a different approach to reviewing albums on Amazon. Instead of going in depth on each album and describe each album in detail, i'm going to simply rate each album with how many stars I feel each album is worth based on the below criteria. I hope this helps you make a better decision on purchasing this album with a simple individual rating. If it doesn't help read another review.
5 stars- Classic, Album goes beyond description, Perfect in every way, Could remind you of a certain time or place, Lifetime replay value.
4.5 stars- Near Classic, Incredible album, Maybe only one song that is skippable or just overall doesn't quite deserve classic status. High replay value.
4.0 stars- Awesome album. Very solid album from start to finish. Met every expectation and more. Maybe only one song or two that is skippable or just doesnt' quite deserve a classic or near classic rating. High replay value.
3.5 stars- Above average album. Solid from start to finish but there are a few songs worth skipping. Met expectations, minimal replay value.
3.0 stars- Average album. Nothing bad but nothing great either. After the initial appeal will collect dust.
2.5 stars- Major disappointment. You had high expectations that were ruined as this album is not good at all. There might be only one or two songs worth listening to. No replay value.
2.0 stars- Below average album. This album doesnt bother you to hear as background music but you would rather not listen to it if you didnt have to. No songs really appeal. No replay value.
1.5 stars- Terrible album. Makes one sick to hear it. No songs really appeal but there might be one song that you could stand to hear. Would rather throw in garbage than even waste space in your collection.
1.0 stars- Makes one cringe and the ears bleed!
*keep in mind, each album review might not be based on opinion of the band but the album itself in the bands discography
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The way house party hip hop is supposed to be made!
Rating (5)
Date: 2008-02-06
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This album presents a postive message in the most head bopping way possible. I have owned this album for 15 years now and I still listen to it on a regular basis. A blend of hip hop, soul, funk, and blues. Most of the tracks are upbeat hip hop joints that would rock any dancefloor filled with those who know good music. Just some good ol hip hop with a real southern feel. Add the fact that there are no curses and you have a great cd to welcome your teenager to the world of hip hop done with class.
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Southern Comfort
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-10-27
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Before Soulja Boy, before Ludacris, before even the amazing Outkast, Arrested Development put the ATL on the map in a big way. The innovative hip hop collective set a stellar standard to which very few subsequent southern hip hop acts have ever managed to rise.
"3 Years 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of-- " is an instant classic, buoyed by the positive and powerful (if somewhat nasal) vocals of the ensemble's chief MC, the ever-thoughtful Speech, and the wide-ranging rhythms of Headliner, the "turntable instrumentalist", who draws on such diverse influences as reggae and the blues to craft his banging beats.
There's not a bad song on this brilliant disc, but standout tracks would have to include the upbeat "Mr. Wendal" (an homage to a homeless man/street griot), the introspective "Fishin' 4 Religion" (a clever critique of the traditional Black church and all of its shortcomings), "U" (a bouncy and sincere song about a young man searching and yearning for his ideal lover/companion), and "People Everyday" (a scathing rebuke of the "gangsta mentality").
Arrested Development was lightyears ahead of their time, and unfortunately for the world, they seemed to collapse under the weight of their own brilliance. Although "Zingalamaduni" and other subsequent releases were solid efforts, the never quite measured up to the unadulterated genius of "3 Years 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of-- ". Cop this album. You won't be disappointed.
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Bring this stuff back....
Rating  (4)
Date: 2006-11-28
4 out of 5 customers found this reveiw helpful
How refreshing to hear this kind of positive hip-hop, when the most of the world is drunk on the toxic garbage of 50-cent, P-Diddy, Ludacris, and Jay-Z.
There was a time when hip-hop showed promise by having intelligent lyrical content and thought-provoking introspection set to creative and original music from groups like Arrested Development.
When Ice-T was doing his morally-bankrupt "Cop-Killa" vomit, and Bone-Thugz-n-Harmony were glorifying the "gangsta" mentality that by now has been adopted into much of the hip-hop genre, A.D. was trying to send a different message. That women are NOT objects of marital infidelity and are not sex toys that you "hook up" with at the local clubs. And that Black culture is not about bling, blunts and "bitches". There are more beautiful, traditional and wholesome things to be proud of that sadly get thrown to the side for the more provocative and fleeting racy tripe that fills the screens of BET and MTV.
Standout tracks are Tennesee, Give a Man a Fish, People Everyday and Mr. Wendall.
If you're tired of the "Yo Dawg...spark up dat splif, grab my gat, and get-cho-freak-on" trash of today's rap/hip-hop scene, I recommend you check these guys out. It's much more satisfying (and edifying).
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Great CD
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-07-31
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
I am a big fan and really enjoy this CD. It was great on my drive from PA to N'awlins.
K
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