I have been waiting since 'ATLiens' came out for a sequel to this, I know it was their second but I never really listened much to their first. It seemed as if Big Boi and Dre came out with 'Aquemini' within minutes on me seeing adverts for it. But it's been in the works for a while, the mixture between their two star sign Aquarius and Gemini (I don't know which star sign belongs to which member) and a bit of cutting here and there was what became the title of this masterpiece.

I got really annoyed because when I saw other reviews, for example the review in The Source - 5 mics ?? And reviews at such places at the Krib(www.krib.com) - 5 stars, I thought to myself now they've gone to a stage greater than anything ever. I'm not saying this album isn't dope, no not in the slightest but think of it this way, 5 mics, 10/10, 100% all refers to something that cannot be made better ever. Even though I love this and even though I can't really think of a way that it could be improved I still don't think it deserves a flawless mark.

From the second you put in the CD, and come across the first few tracks; 'Return Of The G,''Rosa Parks' and 'Skew It On The Bar-b' you'll realise your money was well spent. The album is a mixture between tracks which are intellectually awesome and pose some deep questions about life and the world that we live in but you will also have tracks (all of them) that you will enjoy. Ah, wait I've found a problem on the CD, the Intro 'Hold On, Be Strong' that could be improved, nah people I'm joking, it's dope too.

The album has various feels and some very intriguing lyrics from others other than Outkast. Such as on the technological question provoking track 'Synthesizer' featuring George Clinton, the line that made me smile was; "Cyber sexy Wendy web walkin' in the nude / Digital good time, digital good time / Said she'd lap dance on your laptop while your laptop's in your lap" because I'm working from my laptop and it brought some different images to mind but anyway.

On 'Aquemini' as well as George Clinton and of course Outkast themselves you'll spot the Goodie Mob, Raekwon, Erykah Badu (Dre's wife) and a large range in beat styles. You can go from the very relaxed beats on 'Rosa Parks' to the hyped beats on 'Skew It On The Bar-b' to the P-Funk influenced 'Synthesizer' to....I could go on for hours and probably will but I'll leave the analysis on the differences in these beats for now.

One of my favourite tracks is 'Liberation' featuring Cee-Lo, the track is quite long but just makes me think and triggers off inspirational subjects. The track which I have to think the most about how it fits within the organisation of the album and it's genre is 'SpottieOttieDopaliscious' which has the group singing, but it's all good.

There still is a little bit of the first albums feel with track 7 'Slump.' This track was allegedly left off of the first album but put onto this one to appeal to the fans who disliked 'ATLiens' but loved 'SoutherPlayalistiCadillacMusik' or something like that, I forget the title as it isn't as easy to remember as some other album titles.

My final paragraph, even though at times these southerners may confuse you a bit with their accents and seem to talk speedily at times, this album is without a doubt one of the years best. Pick it up if you have any sense, if not I hear there's a new Puffy album out in '99 save your money but please, please don't say you like true hip hop ever again. Outkast, 'Aquemini' money worth being spent upon.