Evidence, Cats & Dogs
A few years since his last solo effort, Evidence reigns again with Cats & Dogs, his new album packed with his measured flow and thumping beats…
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It’s easy to forget that Evidence has been around since the late 1990s. The Los Angeles based rapper/producer played low-key the last few years. Cats & Dogs is only his second solo album since Dilated Peoples’ unofficial hiatus in ‘07.
If you’ve heard Ev’s previous work, this album won’t pack too many surprises—an that’s a good thing. He’s still spitting a measured slow flow backed by thumping beats and scratched hooks. This might sound like criticism, but salute Evidence for doing what he does well. That one flow keeps pace with churning strings on “Strangers” and matches Roc Marciano and Prodigy over the lurching keys of “Fame.”
Evidence’s Rozay-worthy ear for beats and complimentary guests keep the album listenable: DJ Premier gifts him a trademark bass-heavy banger with “You,” while Alchemist loops wailing soul for “The Red Carpet,” setting up reflective verses from Ev, Raekwon and Ras Kass. Sid Roams’ epic Rocky synths on “To Be Continued…” offer a perfect stage for Ev’s braggadocio, and “Late For The Sky” unites Ev with fellow underground greats Slug and Aesop Rock over reverberating guitar.
Though it runs a little long, Cats & Dogs is a banging, consistent platter that ought to satisfy backpackers and hard-rocks alike. —Aaron Matthews
???
XXL on crack?
sm ‘MFn’ h….They Must Be!!!
Don’t even have to read this review to know XXL is straight ass.
“That one flow…”? WTF? That’s what’s wrong with all these ‘rappers’ these days; switching up their flow waaay too much. It’s good to display versatility but not on one song. Maybe from song to song or album to album show growth or whatever. But now day one songs sounds like 4 diff records lacks cohesiveness. Ev is a throwback… and that is a GOOD thing.
XXL has fallen off. Back in the day this would have gotten a XL rating. They’re trying to say Evidence’s album is just as good as a Gucci Mane album? Come on! It’s really pathetic that it’s come to this.
I’m a fan of both Evidence and Phonte. They gave this an “L” and gave Phonte’s album and “XL.” I actually like this album better than Phonte’s. This deserve an “XL.” Get it together XXL.
This review is lame. The album is less than an hour long, so that’s hardly “runs a little long.” Someone probably told him he had to give it an L so he had to come up with reasons why. “That one flow…” I guess the reviewer didn’t listen to Liner Notes or Well Runs Dry.
Should have been an xl. Xxl mag is turning into pop stars magazine.
I officially discredit XXL as a legit hip hop mag. Fucken joke of a review.
The album is fire, just awesome I think its gotta be my album of 2011 and only had it one day, all the singles are sick.
As for Ev’s flow aint broke dont fix it. Rhymesayers have signed a winner here but anyone who got The Platform way back knows this. XL no doubt.