Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
by Outkast
  • Record Label: La Face
  • Release Date: Sep 23, 2003
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 401 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 356 out of 401
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 401
  3. Negative: 22 out of 401

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  1. EmersonD
    Sep 28, 2003
    10
    Arguable flaws, truly visionary, I would really rate them separately as Speakerboxxx 9 and The Love Below 10, but putting them together Andre brings up the average just enough. Best rap group ever, and not an easy thing to admit either.
  2. icecold
    Nov 2, 2004
    10
    No one has ever done it , two of the greatest cd's packages together? It like a two for one lapdance! CLASSIC.
  3. dougd
    Feb 12, 2004
    10
    Outkasts is tight but what is the deal with all the pianno music on the Love below,but i like Hey ya ,and the way u move, so gotta give it up soooo. i gavem a 10
  4. jamikaw
    Apr 11, 2004
    10
    i think it rocks it would have 2 b the best cd i really like the song roses and prototype. OutKast rocks
  5. jimf
    Jun 17, 2004
    10
    GREATEST ALBUM EVER
  6. EthanK
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    **** rolling stone magazine. this album is genius.
  7. JuliaW
    Nov 7, 2005
    10
    Soooooooooo good
  8. ksnizzle
    Nov 11, 2003
    10
    Totally unique and untouchable. Outkast has two minds that work together as one, or in this case two cds that are like no other in the game. That is why they continue to be the best in the game. They are not afraid to do what they feel. Classical, if you don't like it, then you can't appreciate good musick.
  9. BigWorm
    Nov 17, 2003
    10
    OFF THE HOOK. The lyrics and the level of thought behind them are unmatched, in todays hip-hop culture. Many people will not be able to relate, if they only listen once, or separate what they hear from what they think (your mind and ears should work together, when listening to these albums). I was a little thrown off, initially. But, after further indulgance, I can't seem to stop OFF THE HOOK. The lyrics and the level of thought behind them are unmatched, in todays hip-hop culture. Many people will not be able to relate, if they only listen once, or separate what they hear from what they think (your mind and ears should work together, when listening to these albums). I was a little thrown off, initially. But, after further indulgance, I can't seem to stop listening. I've been listening to These brothers (from another mother), since their first release. They haven't let me down yet.… Expand
  10. HourKittt
    Dec 24, 2003
    10
    This album restored my faith in hip hop. It's simple as that. I got scared that everything would turn in to eminem&co-style shit. Until two dope boyz came back and made my day. May their future be a bright one. Praise be.
  11. KiriC
    Nov 24, 2005
    10
    WTF is with all the people that didn't give this album 10!This is by far one of the biggest leaps in hip-hop/rap history. sheer originality explodes from every song, i would say it is up there with stankonia by far.
  12. briang
    Nov 25, 2005
    10
    One of the most creative, open-minded albums ever composed. Freedom of expression reigns to the point of laughablility, yet the intelligence and depth of thought goes far beyond anything comical. It's painfully insightful about todays life in love.
  13. DanielJ
    Dec 14, 2005
    10
    Speakboxxx is the best hip hop album ever...bar none! The Love Below is strange but still entertaining.
  14. dijavantewow
    Oct 17, 2010
    10
    I can't believe people gave this album negative reviews. It is obviously in the top five for best hip hop of the decade, and probably in the top 20 for best overall in the decade. Andre 3000 is a great producer, and I love the way he mixes hip hop, soul, poetry, and jazz into the music he makes. 2 cds are better than 1. Great job.
  15. Ravenous
    Nov 21, 2010
    10
    While Speakerboxxx is certainly a strong hip hop record, The Love Below is without a doubt the most innovative r&b album in years, and is perhaps the best album of any style of music for the entire decade 2000-2009. Pure musical genius.
  16. BIGMAN22
    Mar 7, 2016
    10
    this album is awesome. love the production and music themes. Outkast knows how to craft good music. this one is up there with their past works. straight classic.
  17. yoshimon3
    Aug 31, 2016
    10
    I don't know how they did it, but they crafted the greatest hip hop double album of all time, and one of the greatest works of art, period. 40 tracks and no filler. Artistry at its finest.
  18. SuchiB14
    Oct 4, 2018
    10
    Outkast with yet another classic album. This is an awesome project, even Andre's R&B approached CD was better than I would have expected. However, I reckon that Speakerboxx tops The Love Below; Big Boi was on point and had some of the best verses I've heard from himself in his career (nothing will top his verses on Ms. Jackson and ATliens though). This album isn't Outkast's best but ****Outkast with yet another classic album. This is an awesome project, even Andre's R&B approached CD was better than I would have expected. However, I reckon that Speakerboxx tops The Love Below; Big Boi was on point and had some of the best verses I've heard from himself in his career (nothing will top his verses on Ms. Jackson and ATliens though). This album isn't Outkast's best but **** it is good, Big Boi and Andre deserve all the credit they recieve for this classic. 10/10… Expand
  19. ChristopheH
    Oct 8, 2003
    9
    Big Boi and André, you guys rule! This is fun from start to end!!!
  20. leah
    Oct 14, 2004
    9
    this was a great cd i loved the love below but was not a big fan of speakerboxxxx but was still great
  21. NathanM
    Nov 2, 2003
    9
    Close To Perfection...The Album Of The Year, Hands Down. Take Off Your Cool!
  22. someoneanotherlastchicken
    Oct 8, 2003
    9
    great cd. Speakerboxxx gets an 8.5, while The Love Below gets at 10, so I comprimised with a 9.
  23. jason
    Sep 29, 2003
    9
    Big Boi's cd is just a great hip-hop album, with great track after great track. It's true that Andre's disc is weird. But it's also true that with each listen it gets better and better. These two cds make the perfect combination.
  24. AndrewC
    Sep 30, 2003
    9
    Not as good as Stankonia or Aquemini, but still outstanding. The only thing that hurts the discs are that dre's songs are very repititious and big boi taints his work with rappers that aren't up to par with himself (ludacris).
  25. AdamCHater
    Oct 15, 2003
    9
    Adam C is smoking the artificial Bob Marley forreal. The Love Below.
  26. JosephL
    Oct 2, 2003
    9
    2 thumbs up!!! This is the best cd out this year. I've always been an outkast fan and this time they have out done themselves. Keep it Big Boi and 'Dre.
  27. BenD
    Oct 8, 2003
    9
    This album is deck. Keep up the good work, brothers
  28. NigelC
    Sep 25, 2003
    9
    The only reason i didn't give it a ten is because i haven't figured out what the hell "The Love Below" is!
  29. sanjuandemarco
    Sep 30, 2003
    9
    this album is fastastically superb. outkastcadillacmuzik at its best. the love below is the funkiest to date....and speakerboxxx is hip hop on acid. buy the album. drink. swish. swallow.
  30. JesusQ
    Jan 5, 2004
    9
    Close to 10. Great record. Loved every minute of it except the weird talking skits between tracks. All hip-hop albums do that now. Makes it hard to listen to...having to skip bs stuff. I cannot get enough of this right now. Dre is awesome. And all of you who say he is going too far from hip hop remember another man who was good but went too far away from his roots....he went on to do some Close to 10. Great record. Loved every minute of it except the weird talking skits between tracks. All hip-hop albums do that now. Makes it hard to listen to...having to skip bs stuff. I cannot get enough of this right now. Dre is awesome. And all of you who say he is going too far from hip hop remember another man who was good but went too far away from his roots....he went on to do some good things. His name os Jesus. … Expand
  31. BennieJ
    Oct 19, 2003
    9
    If there was ever a doubt about who is #1 - ERASE IT! Funky, complex, brilliance!
  32. diggerdig
    Dec 11, 2003
    9
    I like every song on The Love Below. I really think "Hey Ya" is the best song. Andre 3000 was a genius when creating this song. I especially like the line"give me some surgar, i am your neighbor ahh" and "shake it like a poloroid picture". Those lines are just genius.
  33. deucejake
    Dec 12, 2003
    9
    Anybody who doesn't like this album should be ripped apart by wild dogs and then slowly fed into the incinerator of darkest hell. If you don't like Outkast you don't like music. And you're an un-American terrorist (just like King George II).
  34. CoreyW
    Sep 23, 2003
    9
    Sophistifunk - is this what we are supposed to call it? I do believe so. Number of people shot and drugs taken in this album? Zero. So it doesn't fit the "mold" that's been placed on "Rap" by the big Record Labels who refuse to sign great acts and instead promote former drug runners and gangsters... Outkast blows everything out there in the big poppy prefab world and delivers a Sophistifunk - is this what we are supposed to call it? I do believe so. Number of people shot and drugs taken in this album? Zero. So it doesn't fit the "mold" that's been placed on "Rap" by the big Record Labels who refuse to sign great acts and instead promote former drug runners and gangsters... Outkast blows everything out there in the big poppy prefab world and delivers a very fine-tuned and genre-busting CD. Great album, enough said. E-Zines like Stylus shouldn't be counted in the whole of the Metacritic rating system, they obviously listen to too much 50 Cent and The Neptunes (which would make anyone sane enough not to be swayed by Pharell's bank account throw up), not enough "real rap."… Expand
  35. lovemusic
    May 15, 2011
    9
    great music and themes. great achievement. .......................................................................................................... another great album by outkast. one of the best albums of the decade
  36. Andre3000
    Jul 22, 2012
    9
    For those who rate this album low simply don't appreciate music that pushes boundaries and would rather hear the same thing over and over again. This album won album of the year at the grammy's and that should speak for itself.
  37. Andremax
    Jul 16, 2018
    9
    Two different musical worlds that combines itself in an amazing manner. Big Boi's pure rap plus Andre 3000's R&B, blues, soul and pop eclectic mix works as an unity, which paradoxically are biggest qualities of album, and it functions masterfully. The album, being too long, sometimes can tire the listener, but not leaving being incredible anytime. Although not being Outkast's best album,Two different musical worlds that combines itself in an amazing manner. Big Boi's pure rap plus Andre 3000's R&B, blues, soul and pop eclectic mix works as an unity, which paradoxically are biggest qualities of album, and it functions masterfully. The album, being too long, sometimes can tire the listener, but not leaving being incredible anytime. Although not being Outkast's best album, it's still surprising at all.… Expand
  38. Mesmerize
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    9.0
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  39. AaronH
    May 9, 2007
    8
    Good music is not self indulgent. If you're looking for gangsta, this isn't it. Please, if gangsta is what you're looking for, by all means, buy a 50 Cent album. If you like R&B that borders on jazz, The Love Below has its moments. In fact, it has enough moments that someone like me, who generally avoids hip-hop, bought the album. As for the comparisons to Prince--the Good music is not self indulgent. If you're looking for gangsta, this isn't it. Please, if gangsta is what you're looking for, by all means, buy a 50 Cent album. If you like R&B that borders on jazz, The Love Below has its moments. In fact, it has enough moments that someone like me, who generally avoids hip-hop, bought the album. As for the comparisons to Prince--the resemblance is superficial. Andre 3000 is in his own territory here.… Expand
  40. ChrisR.
    Oct 6, 2007
    8
    60 Rolling Stone Each of these albums is as noteworthy for what's missing as for what's there. What the fuck type of beating around the bush bullshit is this? I hope that their headquarters burns to the ground along melting all their cappuccino machines. I didn't listen to this album BTW, just guessing how good it is from the singles.
  41. RamF
    Nov 13, 2003
    8
    I have to strongly disagree with everyone saying Dre's album was awful. In fact I feel Speakerboxxx is just average. It isn't shwoing me much evoluiton. The Love Below however is genius. The only downsides in my opinion are the interludes: "The Morning After" and "Good Day Good Sir" break the continuity of the album. I would tell people that detest this album to continue to I have to strongly disagree with everyone saying Dre's album was awful. In fact I feel Speakerboxxx is just average. It isn't shwoing me much evoluiton. The Love Below however is genius. The only downsides in my opinion are the interludes: "The Morning After" and "Good Day Good Sir" break the continuity of the album. I would tell people that detest this album to continue to listen. This will be a classic. It is soemthing like The Beastie Boys Paul's Boutique album. Which was seemingly very strange and somewhat unlistenable upon it's release merely turned out to be ahead of it's time. Don't be surprised to see many Hip Hop giants copying 3000's style in future albums. They may not have the commercial courage to make an entire album like "The Love Below", but I can almost guarantee you will here individual songs that experiment outside the boundaries of traditional Hip Hop as muvh as this album does. … Expand
  42. ScottW.
    Aug 19, 2007
    8
    The secouned is a tie at 8.0 Very fun guys to listen to, and without a dull moment once again makes this a fine secound installment.
  43. AndrewR
    Nov 21, 2003
    8
    Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is loads of fun, and I admire the double-album format, but man, this album would've been just perfect if Dre and Big Boi had actually collaborated more. As it is, Big Boi's Speakerboxxx feels like an Outkast album, and all the incredible dopeness that comes with it. Dre's disc, The Love Below, is a fine listen, but it's all over the place Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is loads of fun, and I admire the double-album format, but man, this album would've been just perfect if Dre and Big Boi had actually collaborated more. As it is, Big Boi's Speakerboxxx feels like an Outkast album, and all the incredible dopeness that comes with it. Dre's disc, The Love Below, is a fine listen, but it's all over the place and at times too "out there," because Dre knows he's a creative genius and suffers by trying to jam-pack The Love Below with his creativity. It works sometimes-- "Happy Valentine's Day," "Dracula's Wedding," and "Hey Ya!" are all incredibly jumpin'-- but there's just one too many sub-Prince funk ballads to make it a uniformly great listen. And for all of Outkast's innovations, they still haven't learned to make a skit-less hip-hop album. That said, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is well worth the price tag, jam-packed with great tunes (particularly on Boi's disc) and one of the most entertaining releases of 2003 thus far.… Expand
  44. Jessica
    Nov 26, 2003
    8
    Speakerboxx--I liked to sit down and listen to all the lyrics and beats in these songs. They mix funky soul, rhythm and blues, modern day hip hop and rap. The Love Below--more like a cd I would just put in the player and not pay attention to and use as background music. The mixture of styles were all over the place, they don't flow together. My favorites on Speakerboxxx are Ghetto Speakerboxx--I liked to sit down and listen to all the lyrics and beats in these songs. They mix funky soul, rhythm and blues, modern day hip hop and rap. The Love Below--more like a cd I would just put in the player and not pay attention to and use as background music. The mixture of styles were all over the place, they don't flow together. My favorites on Speakerboxxx are Ghetto Muzick(spelling?), War, Church, and The Way you move. On the Love Below, my only favorite so far is Hey Ya. Although these are separate cds, they still work together on some of the songs. I think this cd is a definite for any OutKast fan and for those who are open-minded. The feelings I got listening to these cds range from energetic, sexy, mellow, happy-go-lucky, tough, funny, weird, "what the heck is this!?" (at some points), overall its a good trip.… Expand
  45. QuintonB
    Jan 4, 2013
    8
    This is not one album by Outkast, rather, it's two solo albums sold together as a group album. One is by Big Boi and the other is by Andre 3000. Unfortunately for Big Boi, 3000's record is so compelling and overwhelming that no one has time for Big Boi's album. 3000 clearly stands out, releasing an album the completely moves beyond the boundaries of hip-hop into Prince-esque territory,This is not one album by Outkast, rather, it's two solo albums sold together as a group album. One is by Big Boi and the other is by Andre 3000. Unfortunately for Big Boi, 3000's record is so compelling and overwhelming that no one has time for Big Boi's album. 3000 clearly stands out, releasing an album the completely moves beyond the boundaries of hip-hop into Prince-esque territory, combining jazz, funk, soul, pseudo-rock and hip hop into one fascinating album that has left fans thirsty for a new solo album from 3000 since 2003. Overall, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is another astounding Outkast album, yet one could say it started the divide that has left Outkast on a hiatus ever since their mediocre followup record Idlewild was released.… Expand
  46. Shady313
    Apr 11, 2015
    8
    8/10 .................................................................................................................................................
  47. FruitJuice
    Jul 18, 2017
    8
    great album........................................................................................................................................................................
  48. ShaanS
    Mar 28, 2007
    7
    Pales in comparison to Stankonia. Not the genre molding album the critics claimed it to be. They must have needed a rap album to their top 10 lists to diversify.
  49. RSkells
    Sep 6, 2006
    7
    I love outkast. i really do. but this album was not up to snuff with previous efforts. Outkast is one of the greatest hip hop acts of all time with a fantastic track record and i cannot help but measure this album against records like stankonia and the incomparable Aquemini. Those albums featured two partners in music, complimenting each other perfectly. here, we see two unique artists I love outkast. i really do. but this album was not up to snuff with previous efforts. Outkast is one of the greatest hip hop acts of all time with a fantastic track record and i cannot help but measure this album against records like stankonia and the incomparable Aquemini. Those albums featured two partners in music, complimenting each other perfectly. here, we see two unique artists drifting away from each other creatively, each losing a bit of their shine in the process. there are still some good tunes on this ablum(s?) but its not the consistent brilliance that one expects from an outkast disc.… Expand
  50. BrianW
    Oct 14, 2003
    7
    I have mixed feelings on the album. Didn't like Dre's CD much
  51. GordonS
    Oct 17, 2004
    7
    Speakerboxxx is a classic Outkast album in style, while The Love Below is a 360 Degree turn. At first I felt like Andre simply wanted to see how crazy he could make an album and still recieve fan support. However, it has grown on me. I like the "Who's on First"-like "Good Day, Good Sir." The rest seems like it is just Andre having a good time. I would not call it rap, but it is an Speakerboxxx is a classic Outkast album in style, while The Love Below is a 360 Degree turn. At first I felt like Andre simply wanted to see how crazy he could make an album and still recieve fan support. However, it has grown on me. I like the "Who's on First"-like "Good Day, Good Sir." The rest seems like it is just Andre having a good time. I would not call it rap, but it is an entertaining work.… Expand
  52. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 21, 2021
    7
    OutKast's duo have made a cohesive statement that not only cries at the boundaries of rap music but vaults over them to a place where the music sounds like neon colors and the only rule is that you must free your mind. Your ears will follow.
  53. chris
    Feb 13, 2004
    6
    number 1 problem with most double albums? bloatedness. while this album will surely become a pop culture artifact, i have quite a few qualms with it. speakerboxxx: has quite a few great hip hop tracks and a few incredible ones. the love below: has a few comedy routines (boooo!) and lots of (almost 80 minutes worth) jazz/r&b endeavors that don't have staying power. this album probably number 1 problem with most double albums? bloatedness. while this album will surely become a pop culture artifact, i have quite a few qualms with it. speakerboxxx: has quite a few great hip hop tracks and a few incredible ones. the love below: has a few comedy routines (boooo!) and lots of (almost 80 minutes worth) jazz/r&b endeavors that don't have staying power. this album probably would have been brilliant as a collaborative single effort. BUT.. in deserved recognition of their avant-garde credo, i recommend any of their previous 4 albums.… Expand
  54. GaborA
    Aug 24, 2004
    6
    Speakerboxxx is the more similar to an older Outkast album but its not nearly as good and not only becuase of Dre's absence. Love Below is an embarrasment for the talented Dre. Its not that hes not rapping or anything its just flat out terrible. If a three year old came up to me with lyrics in crayon on paper that said "roses really smell boo boo" then i would scold him for writing Speakerboxxx is the more similar to an older Outkast album but its not nearly as good and not only becuase of Dre's absence. Love Below is an embarrasment for the talented Dre. Its not that hes not rapping or anything its just flat out terrible. If a three year old came up to me with lyrics in crayon on paper that said "roses really smell boo boo" then i would scold him for writing terrible lines. If your goal was to lose the old die hard outkast fans who nodded their heads to Synthesizer to prepubescent thirteen year old girls and the ficile cheering of the masses then mission accomplished. … Expand
  55. TheHams
    Feb 14, 2006
    6
    The Love Below is extraordinary. It alone deserves a 10. However, Big Boi's half sounds extremely over-produced. The beats are just horrible. Stankonia was much better.
  56. Gentry
    Aug 27, 2010
    6
    First, I don't like giving negative reviews. So, that is the primary reason this album receives a 6 instead of a 5 from me. I absolutely love many of the tracks on this disc, but it does need some editing in my opinion. Many of these songs find their way to my play lists, and many of them do not.
  57. KidA
    Aug 5, 2006
    5
    Don't see me as a hater, I love Stankonia, but this album is just not that great
  58. ToddS
    Jan 3, 2007
    5
    Why is the an Outkast album? Big Boi and Andre do approximately 3 songs together on the entire 2-disc album. This isn't an Outkast album. It's 2 solo albums put together with Andre reinventing himself as the new Prince of the millenium, and Big Boi showing that he can't hold a solo album on his own (he has a guest featured on almost every track). Not a bad album as far as Why is the an Outkast album? Big Boi and Andre do approximately 3 songs together on the entire 2-disc album. This isn't an Outkast album. It's 2 solo albums put together with Andre reinventing himself as the new Prince of the millenium, and Big Boi showing that he can't hold a solo album on his own (he has a guest featured on almost every track). Not a bad album as far as commercial hip-hop is concerned, but nowhere near as great as their prior releases. Big and Andre need to ditch the marketing ploy and stop calling themselves Outkast for they have officially gone solo with this release.… Expand
  59. Adonis
    Oct 22, 2003
    5
    I give it a 5 because only half of the cd is even worth hearing. How can you call youself an hip hop artist, when u sing (very badly at that) the entire album.
  60. jeremiahm
    Oct 25, 2003
    5
    Big Boi's album was decent. I dont know what is on the mind of andre. He loosing it more and more every year outkast comes out with a new cd.
  61. KeithG
    Apr 25, 2012
    4
    This album instantly takes me back to 2003 whenever I hear it, but I don't think it has aged well. It's still stuck in 2003. If you only download "Hey Ya", then you're not missing much from the rest of the album.
  62. TyS
    Oct 31, 2003
    3
    Bloated with 95% filler this is hardly an enjoyable listen .. Talk about self indulgence !! This should be a 5 track ep .
  63. SimonM
    Sep 2, 2005
    3
    Really, really terrible. 2 cd's of rubbish. There is a few good songs on each album, but overall, this is not the old outkast. Since the classic Ms. Jackson and So Fresh, So clean i've never heard them do anything quite as good. I wouldn't really recommend this album AT ALL!
  64. KeithR
    Feb 6, 2004
    3
    I'll keep this short. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE. Outkast hasn't put out a good album since Aquamini... and even that album was sub-par. I am convinced 90% of these reviewers have never heard Outkast's real masterpiece. That masterpiece of course is their second release, ATLiens. That album is one of the all time greats... up there with Nas's "illmatic" and Wu-Tangs I'll keep this short. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE. Outkast hasn't put out a good album since Aquamini... and even that album was sub-par. I am convinced 90% of these reviewers have never heard Outkast's real masterpiece. That masterpiece of course is their second release, ATLiens. That album is one of the all time greats... up there with Nas's "illmatic" and Wu-Tangs "Enter the 36 Chambers". Listening to an album like Speakerboxx makes me yearn for the days when hip hop was at its peak... hip hop circa- 1993 to 1996. Well those days are over and this album is just another example of that fact. Do yourself a favor and cop the ATLiens album and see Outkast at their full potential.… Expand
  65. VytB
    May 27, 2004
    2
    Only 1 good song! Hey Ya.
  66. MininaenaeBob
    Jun 11, 2005
    2
    This c.d. was way overrated. Big Boi's c.d. was pretty good, but Andre's was crud. Prototype is the worst song I have ever heard. It really does suck. I don't know why it was so highly rated. It sucks.
  67. AdamC
    Sep 29, 2003
    2
    I give it a 2 because it only has 2 songs worth a listen and both will be singles, save your money. At first this cd is very strange, after listening to it SEVERAL times trying to like it, I have managed to salvage only 2 maybe 3 songs worthy of air-play. Album of the yeah....doubt it, i rank it down there with DMX grand champ. These guys need to be together to survive. Better luck next time.
  68. DorianL
    Mar 15, 2007
    2
    2 for effort. This is the worst album of theirs that I have heard, this album made me lose alot of respect for Outkast although I have listened to them from the start. I just don't even want to listen to Idlewild. I still love the rest of their albums
  69. ivanv
    Aug 24, 2006
    1
    wat? 90..... this album was absolute shit. I would rather listen to a 50 cent album than this crap, Hey Ya was so terrible how could any1 like it? explain please
  70. Jamie
    Nov 2, 2004
    1
    They could've fit all the good songs onto one EP (Hey Ya, Roses and Good Day Good Sir)
  71. Jamie
    Nov 2, 2004
    1
    They could've fit all the good songs onto one EP (Hey Ya, Roses and Good Day Good Sir)
  72. ThaGMannn
    Oct 23, 2003
    1
    ok...so i pop in The Love Below in to my anxious cd player; my face radiating with an enormous grin, sweat drips down my face in anticipation of the album's ultimate billiance and magnificence. i press the play button--my heart stops and my eyes expand.........the music starts and i don't know what to think, all i know to do is to listen....to listen...to......"What DA (*insert ok...so i pop in The Love Below in to my anxious cd player; my face radiating with an enormous grin, sweat drips down my face in anticipation of the album's ultimate billiance and magnificence. i press the play button--my heart stops and my eyes expand.........the music starts and i don't know what to think, all i know to do is to listen....to listen...to......"What DA (*insert here*)!!!!!" This album was a complete mess, both of them. The love below is not worthy of being...period. I admit that i could have made up a whole bunch of random sayings and put them into a prince song; I definately don't need to pay $18.95 to do so either. The love below just made absolutely no sense whatsoever and i expected, and demanded (with what i just payed!), a LOT more from these albums. The lyrics in Dre's cd were completely oblivious to any meaning whatsoever and totally lowered his potential and actual skill to that of a sex-happy version of the butler from the fresh prince of bel-air. In addition to this utter nonesense, the songs on The Love below were way too short (in relevance to lyrics)--some only lasting a couple minutes (ex. Dracula's Wedding, Take your cool (or whatever its called)). And still those songs managed to have no real meaning. What i did like about it was the last track (or any part...not song...where dre actually rapped...which was about maybe 2 min collectively). I mean that was basically the reason y i got this album--i know big boi and dre can rap...especially when they do it together...though i'm not saying that they NEED each other. That's also y i thought that this album would have been a good investment--seeing the two different styles of rap (and yes i like both). The Love Below holds no bearing in the musical world--only a host of great, great beats put to a shameful waste. Speakerboxxx...well lets just say i was a lot happier when i took the love below out of my saddened and on-the-brink-of-suicide (or homiside...i'm not really sure at the moment), stompped on it a little, cursed it out, then gently placed the Speakerboxxx cd into my player. I knew it couldn't be nearly as bad as dre's cd, so i was able to listen with a lenient ear. To tell u the truth, i actually enjoyed the cd...or at least the first 5 or 6 songs. I mean...great beats, hot lyrics (i love how big boi flows...even if what he says doesn't really make sense anyways). Everything that i wanted outta $18.95 (i'm still kinda mad about that). But despite these qualities, i found that most of the songs were too short and didn't have enough lyrical content to be labeled a song...more like a really cool beat with a couple of words in it (aka...techno...). The funny thing about these cds (don't mind me talking out of place) is that what one had...the other one lacked. This saddened me because it just makes me imagine if they had done one, excellent quality, calibur album. i swear it would have been spectacular (even more so than bentley fondsworth...and yes i actually listened to that absolutely pointless and gay skit). Then, and only then, would i say that this album would have been worthy of being the album of the year. Anyways, back to Speakerboxxx, i also think it was too short as a whole album, due to little skits in between songs and that annoying "speakerboxxx" techno sounding whatever-it-was thing. A lot, (i'd say every song maybe except 2 or 3) of the songs were missing one vital thing--a good hook (where dre should have been). And even though the raps were pretty good on big boi's behalf, it would have been nice in some of the songs to have dre do a little rap...i mean that's y outkast is called outkast right? On the positive, i can't seem to stop listening to "Bowtie" (just cuz i'm a p.i.m.p./ and these things just come natural to me ;-) ). Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (as i aforemention)...was a piece of crap...constantly banging on a drum to be called music. Well...actually more like The Love Below was like that. But, to be absolutely honest i did enjoy two songs from that album--Behold a lady and Spread (kinda took it back old school a little) Speakerboxxx...there was something missing that just didn't make it a good album overall. And for reality purposes, it definately wasn't worth no $18.95! (i still can't get over that...i mean i don't make a lot of money to begin with so this really hurt me financially in addition to emotionally). I really wish that Outkast would have really listened to this cd themselves before exposing it to the innocent public...and get a little taste of their own poison--realize that this album was a waste of money ($18.95!!!! ahhh!!!) and time. I give this cd a 2 just because of the shear effort for trying to be original... there were instances of good music through both cds (i'd say about 15 secs every 30 min for The Love Below), this album was still a complete failure and did not live up to the expectations and true ability of Outkast. Wait...oh crap i gave them a 1!!...well its not like they deserved it anyways :-).… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Album of 2003
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2003
8
#8 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Apr 17, 2012
    100
    OutKast's duo have made a cohesive statement that not only cries at the boundaries of rap music but vaults over them to a place where the music sounds like neon colors and the only rule is that you must free your mind. Your ears will follow.
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  2. Mojo
    90
    The genius of past Outkast isn't diluted or diminished across these disks, rather it's doubled, expanded and explored. [Sep 2003, p.99]
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    80
    Speakerboxxx--by itself the album of the year--makes the failings of The Love Below all the more evident.
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