AMG Review of 20/20

David Jeffries
All Music Guide

According to some pre-release interviews, Dilated Peoples member Evidence sees 20/20 as one of the more casual full-lengths from the crew. The album wasn't built as a traditional album, but rather a collection of tracks, or as Evidence puts it, 20/20 was "made on a 12'' mentality." It's a great analogy really, since the track list bounces between outstanding and hypothetical A-sides -- the body-moving "Back Again," the fiery "Alarm Clock Music," and "Kindness for Weakness," which features guest Talib Kweli along with some of DJ Babu's fiercest scratches -- and the more word-filled, almost freestyle B-sides that could accompany them. 20/20 flows like a compilation of street tracks, which is quite an achievement when you consider the group is still signed to major label Capitol. Only two tracks feature the work of producer Alchemist -- "Back Again" and the title track -- which might be a disappointment for some, but Evidence and Babu are up to the challenge of an increased workload and offer lean loops that recall their debut. Unfortunately, a team-up with Capleton feels forced, as the reggae revolutionary isn't given much to do. For hardcore fans, it's the lone disappointment, and while 20/20 might be a shade too unambitious for casual listeners expecting another Expansion Team, DP heads looking to kick back and listen get plenty of pure underground to devour.