3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...

Track Listings

1. Man's Final Frontier

2. Mama's Always on Stage

3. People Everyday

4. Blues Happy

5. Mr. Wendal

6. Children Play With Earth

7. Raining Revolution

8. Fishin' 4 Religion

9. Give a Man a Fish

10. U

11. Eve of Reality

12. Natural

13. Dawn of the Dreads

14. Tennessee

15. Washed Away

16. People Everyday [Metamorphosis Mix]

Editorial Reviews
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

3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...,Arrested Development,Capitol,Alternative Rap,Contemporary R&B,Hip-Hop,Political Rap,Pop,Rap & Hip-Hop,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Southern Rap,Urban

Tracks:

Man's Final Frontier
Mama's Always On Stage
People Everyday
Blues Happy
Mr. Wendal
Children Play With Earth
Raining Revolution
Fishin' 4 Religion
Give A Man A Fish
U
Eve Of Reality
Natural
Dawn Of The Dreads
Tennessee
Washed Away
People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix)

Product Description

Excellent condition, includes the original Cd, case, and paperwork, First Class shipped, ask me for more CD Titles/Artists or my Complete CD List! :D

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

Customer Reviews:

Bring this stuff back...........2006-11-28

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).

Great CD.......2006-07-31

I am a big fan and really enjoy this CD. It was great on my drive from PA to N'awlins.
K

The Most Innovative Group From Atlanta (5 stars).......2006-06-26

Before Outkast, Goodie Mob, and many other voices, there was a group named Arrested Development (Speech, Headliner, Baba Oje, Rasa Don, Aerle Taree, & Motosho Eshe) well known for spreading their African culture and vibes, along with positive messages comming from Atlanta.

One thing I like about this group is their style was mostly laid back and enjoyable. Most of the contributions of this album were the instruments that were used throughout this album. Speech, who does most of the vocals, makes lyrics that were made to create a positive environment like marrage on the song as "U" and getting a better outlook on religion on "Fishin' 4 Religion". At the same time, they were more for giving back knowledge to others in songs "Give A Man A Fish" & "Mr. Wendal". Other tracks that have a strong positive vibe are "People Everyday", "Tennessee" and "Washed Away". They sample a lot of old artist's songs on this album (a good one would be Sylvester Stewart's "Everyday People" on the song "People Everyday"), I like it though.

Overall, this was a very innovative album that came out in 1992. Unfortnately this album got over played, that people got tired of this group (I was about 7 when this came out, and I still remember the "Mr. Wendal" song), so when their 1994 album Zinga...(I dear not try to spell that name) came out, people turned the other way. I believe both of their albums should be heard. Also they would appear on MTV's Unplugged in 1993. If you can, try to hear one of the albums by this group, even it's a greatest hits album (they're tons of them floating around), because I pretty sure you'll love it. I recommend this to people who want to hear some African cultural vibes and music.

Lyrics: A
Production: A+
Musical Vibes: A+
Overall: A+

Favorite Tracks:Mr. Wendal, People Everyday (reprise), Fishing 4 Religion, Give A Man A Fish, U, Tenessee

Honorable Mention Track: Natural

Thank You Baba Oje!.......2005-08-19

It is a true pity that our people are so eager to line the pockets of filthmongering materialistic hip-crap, and leaving eloquent and sincere artists like A.D. out to dry.

This album was positivity pure and simple. The message was strength but also intelligence. We can be poets too. The pen is mightier than the sword.

How many other groups out there subscribe to the African concept of respecting the elders? But Speech and Co. brought Baba Oje with them for spiritual guidance, and he gave them plenty!

The music is soft and deep and beautiful. An anthem for our people, and a prayer of hope.

Who says rap has to be violent and vulgar?.......2005-08-10

I respect AD for having the courage of their convictions and being unafraid to state their beliefs unequivocally in their music. It's obvious that they have great respect for humanity and for their fellow man (all mankind).

"Mr. Wendal" is a very touching commentary on homelessness, "Tennessee" talks about recapturing a more peaceful time and lifestyle and my favourite track "Washed Away" talks about the gradual and slow moral degradation that takes place almost imperceptably.

This album is a classic because the lyrics are great and would still be great if this were a country & western album. My point is that the intelligent and heartfelt lyrics here would be at home in any genre and what is surprising is that it falls under the rap genre which is probably the one you'd least associate these days with intelligence, sympathy and concern for humanity.

AD may not have lived very long as a group but this album sure will and is destined to remain a classic for many years to come.

3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...

Average customer rating:

Uplifting and inspirational

3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...
Arrested Development
Manufacturer: Toshiba EMI Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Southern Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Rap & Hip-Hop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000051TAS
Release Date: 2000-09-06

Tracks:

Man's Final Frontier
Mama's Always on Stage
People Everyday
Blues Happy
Mr. Wendal
Children Play With Earth
Raining Revolution
Fishin' 4 Religion
Give a Man a Fish
U
Eve of Reality
Natural
Dawn of the Dreads
Tennessee
Washed Away
Tennessee [Showbiz Remix][*]
Mr. Wendal [Perfecto Mix][*]

Album Details

Japanese version featuring 2 bonus tracks: Tennessee, & Mr Wendal

Customer Reviews:

Uplifting and inspirational .......2006-04-09

This refreshing album opens with Man's Final Frontier, a funky number with lots of scratching and samples. It is followed by the amazingly positive and life-affirming Mama's Always On Stage and People Everyday, a black pride anthem and intelligent protest against violence.

Mr Wendall is another gem of a song, about homelessness and recognising the dignity in others. It also has a most compelling arrangement and gripping vocals. Arrested Development highlights personal and social problems without sounding preachy.

The jazzy Raining Revolution is a moving spiritual rap, and Fishin' 4 Religion is a critical look at organized religion. The energetic Give A Man A Fish deals with the music business whilst the bubbly uptempo U and the gentle, melodious Natural are about love and relationships.

Dawn Of The Dreads has lots of pop appeal with its catchy sung parts alternating with the rap; Tennessee has soulful female vocals, and the album concludes on a high note with the spiritual poem Washed Away. What a great album, so original in sound and uplifting in spirit! It encompasses a stunning variety of styles in a set of highly accomplished songs.