3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of…

As soon as I read the title of the album, I thought I'd be done with it quickly. The genre was obvious to me from the name of the group and the album, although I had never heard of either before. Playing the first track was enough for me. I wasn't in the mood for hip hop or to be shouted at by an African-American teenager.
Later I did a bit more research on the album and the band. I was interested after all. So I listened to the whole album. It was OK. I'm not going to be a fan of hip hop or the band. But it was interesting.
3/5

I think this is an excellent rap/hip-hop album! In fact, along with De La Soul's “3 Feet High and Rising”, they're the only two albums of this genre that I've bought. Every now and then, I revisit them ;-)

That sound is such a blast, like being drenched by a Super Soaker on a hot day — which is exactly what I was doing when this came out. It goes on a bit too long, but it's nice to hear happy, joyful hip-hop.

It took me a little while to get into but this is actually really awesome.

Not the most creative or interesting album. Some bright spots though.

I don't know how much I find truly great, but I think most of it is pretty damn good. A high 3.5 with room to grow to a true 4 stars one day.

3.5/5

I've heard of Arrested Development as an alternative hip-hop group that was big in 1992 but fell off shortly after. They've since reformed with Speech as the sole original member in the lineup, and 3 Years is still regarded as their best effort. Listening to this album, I can see why.

The skits, slow conscious rapping, sampling, and swagger are of the early 90s deviation from the rise of gangsta rap. I give them props for using live instrumentation in the song construction and Speech's ability to command the mic with his flow, even if the sound is stuck to a specific time.

Lyrically, this album mainly addresses spirituality, civil rights, and the prevalence of street gangs. A fair amount of the songs pop off well including the singles, particularly "Tennessee" with how Speech reflects upon his upbringing and where he belongs after his grandma and brother passed. Other songs though can come off as either dated, a bit preachy, or in the case of "Natural" questionable with the sexual advancement.

Overall, 3 Years is not a bad record and I can see how it paved the way for later conscious hip-hop efforts. Take the singles, and cherry-pick from the rest.

This is early 90's hip hop. It's a breath of fresh air in a time when Gangsta rap was ruling the scene, to have this solid, clean rap. This is hip hop that you could actually listen to in mixed company without fear of offense. SFW. Reminds me of A Tribe Called Quest

Favourite songs: Dawn of the Dreads, Give a Man a Fish, Fishin' 4 Religion, U, Mama's Always on Stage, People Everyday

Least favourite songs: Blues Happy

3/5

This is some feel good shit, and I'm actually digging it. I mean, the religious parts (which are a lot of the parts) can feel a little hamfisted, but it isn't groan-worthy like that of Christian rock. It just makes you feel sunny and happy, all in a thoroughly 90s way. I think the real killer here is that the love tracks here can feel "not like other boys" at best, and sort of predatory at worst. I mean, I know that was sort of expected as a direct response to gangster rap, but in a modern viewpoint it causes far more eye rolls than that it is competing against. But I cannot deny I was still grooving along with it for a good chunk of the album, and that has to count for something.

Genius

Second 90's era hip hop in two days. But this one was much more unique and enjoyable.

Feelgood Afro-centric 1990s alternative hip hop at its best. Mostly original 'live band-style' jazzy/soul/funk beats with some samples and turntable stuff over the top. Upbeat and uplifting tone combined with dense lyrical content dealing with ISSUES. Sometimes it's a bit cringe, but hard to fault earnestness. The cadence, flow and expressivity of the delivery is great and the vibes are good as hell.

Hilarious that this recommendation comes up immediately following Dre's 'The Chronic'. Two break-out hits for hip-hop in 1992. The contrast between the crotch-and-gun-clutching nonsense of the former versus the social justice and love focus of the latter, is the perfect example of the spectrum that hip-hop occupies. Respect to Arrested Development for going after the higher ground!

Het zit allemaal verrassend goed in elkaar. Snap ik ook wel. Ze hadden even de tijd begrijp ik uit de titel. De losse nummers springer er net iets minder uit dan bijvoorbeeld "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" van "A Tribe Called Quest". Het geheel klinkt gewoon lekker.

The sampling is pretty cheeseball but it is refreshing to be less accosted by early 90s rap. Rainy Revolution is catchy. U is pretty lame. Tennessee is a pretty alright track.

Great album

This is the most dated-90s shit I’ve heard in my life

Great album. Really fun production and the messaging is very interesting.

pretty good 90s rap album

I enjoy this type of "conscious" rap and it makes me nostalgic for the time period when it was a bigger part of the pop culture landscape.