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Reply #30 posted 07/27/09 1:09am

ThreadBare

Graycap23 said:

ThreadBare said:

I like how O'Dell has really made the Fly and NiteFly his signature axes. Gets awesome tone out of 'em.

I'm going 2 pick me up a Parker later this year. O'dell was playing the cloud 4 a while.

Yeah, they have a nice natural ash-maple configuration that they're selling cheap. I don't need another guitar... disbelief But his tone is twisting my arm.

I recall his Cloud days. nod I think I must've still had BET back then. lol
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Reply #31 posted 07/27/09 7:38am

junebug18

phunkdaddy said:

bobsteezy said:

I really like Mint Condition and I would never call their music kiddie stuff. I do miss the depth in their overall sound that seems missing since Keri Lewis left. (maybe that's just me?)

I think Stokley is fine as a lead singer and vocalist.

...And you should go see them perform LIVE.


I don't think their overall sound has changed (maybe even stronger) that much but i along with a few others i know think the songwriting is somewhat limited
without Keri as Keri and Stokley were the strongest songwriters
in the band.
The thing that impresses me the most about Mint is
while other bands may have 10 or more musicians on stage Mint does
it with just six which is usually the current 5 members plus a
drummer either Terry Wesley/Chris Dave and still sound excellent.
Right now Mint Condition is the only post 90's artists that when they
come to town it's Automatic that i'm getting tickets.

Stokley is NOT a better songwriter than Larry. He close, but nah.....



IshmaelB said:

Weak kiddie stuff, imho. How did they get associated with Prince?

you obviously dont listen to MC.

Mint Condition = best "new era" R&B band, 90's to present, and one of the greatest R&B bands in history.
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Reply #32 posted 07/27/09 8:00am

Graycap23

junebug18 said:[quote]

phunkdaddy said:


Stokley is NOT a better songwriter than Larry. He close, but nah.....



IshmaelB said:

Weak kiddie stuff, imho. How did they get associated with Prince?

you obviously dont listen to MC.

Mint Condition = best "new era" R&B band, 90's to present, and one of the greatest R&B bands in history.

I'd have 2 agree.
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Reply #33 posted 07/27/09 8:08am

diamondpearl1

Cinnie said:

candy2277 said:

I say this for one reason; singing. I just don't think Stokely's voice is that impressive. He sings alright but not that great.


Vocalists are NOT musicians. Nurses are NOT doctors.


Stokley like Jefferey Osbourne (L.T.D.), Stevie Wonder,Buddy Miles,(Electric Flag, Band Of Gypsys,Buddy Miles Express),Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass,Maurice White(E.W.F.) Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters) and Peter Rivera (Rare Earth) is also a drummer/vocalist.
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Reply #34 posted 07/27/09 8:48am

phunkdaddy

avatar

junebug18 said:[quote]

phunkdaddy said:


Stokley is NOT a better songwriter than Larry. He close, but nah.....



IshmaelB said:

Weak kiddie stuff, imho. How did they get associated with Prince?

you obviously dont listen to MC.

Mint Condition = best "new era" R&B band, 90's to present, and one of the greatest R&B bands in history.


Bug look at the last two Mint albums and see who's written or
co written 90% of Mint's tunes. lol
It's definitely not Larry but Larry is the master on the keys.
Don't laugh at my funk
This funk is a serious joint
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Reply #35 posted 07/27/09 8:51am

bsk3601

Vendetta1 said:

MC is awesome live. I love their music because I love real instruments.

unfortunately, they stopped channeling that element into their studio albums a decade ago. I love Mint and respect their craft, but to me their output since Life's Aquarium has been straight ASS!!!!! I think the missing elements are Keri Lewis and Chris "Daddy" Dave.
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Reply #36 posted 07/27/09 9:01am

Graycap23

bsk3601 said:

Vendetta1 said:

MC is awesome live. I love their music because I love real instruments.

unfortunately, they stopped channeling that element into their studio albums a decade ago. I love Mint and respect their craft, but to me their output since Life's Aquarium has been straight ASS!!!!! I think the missing elements are Keri Lewis and Chris "Daddy" Dave.

Both are sorely missed.
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Reply #37 posted 07/27/09 9:26am

junebug18

phunkdaddy said:

junebug18 said:


you obviously dont listen to MC.

Mint Condition = best "new era" R&B band, 90's to present, and one of the greatest R&B bands in history.


Bug look at the last two Mint albums and see who's written or
co written 90% of Mint's tunes. lol
It's definitely not Larry but Larry is the master on the keys.

more co-written material doesnt exactly mean he's a better writter. and besides, the albums before e-life and luxury brown, are not better than DOAB, FTMF etc...
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Reply #38 posted 07/27/09 9:28am

Graycap23

junebug18 said:

phunkdaddy said:



Bug look at the last two Mint albums and see who's written or
co written 90% of Mint's tunes. lol
It's definitely not Larry but Larry is the master on the keys.

more co-written material doesnt exactly mean he's a better writter. and besides, the albums before e-life and luxury brown, are not better than DOAB, FTMF etc...

So what is the measurement?
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Reply #39 posted 07/27/09 9:39am

psychodelicide

avatar

Wasn't Mint Condition at one of Prince's Paisley Park Celebrations? I think it was around 2000. hmmm
RIP, mom. I will forever miss and love you.
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Reply #40 posted 07/27/09 10:19am

junebug18

Graycap23 said:

junebug18 said:


more co-written material doesnt exactly mean he's a better writter. and besides, the albums before e-life and luxury brown, are not better than DOAB, FTMF etc...

So what is the measurement?

that means stoke a more consistent writter. c'mon fam. larry wrote "what kind of man would i be" and "someone to love" those songs alone means he's a better writer than stoke. lol.

but stoke aint too far off....
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Reply #41 posted 07/27/09 10:30am

phunkdaddy

avatar

junebug18 said:

Graycap23 said:


So what is the measurement?

that means stoke a more consistent writter. c'mon fam. larry wrote "what kind of man would i be" and "someone to love" those songs alone means he's a better writer than stoke. lol.

but stoke aint too far off....


You being a bit picky aren't you dawg.
lol
Larry is a good writer too but he needs to start picking up that
pen and write more tunes on future mint projects.
I agree that E-Life is a step back compared to the rest of their
projects. I actually like Life's Aquarium and Livin the Luxury
Brown better than DOB and FTMF. Life's Aquarium had more funk on it
and was deeper than DOB and FTMF. Livin the Luxury Brown exemplified
more freedom(such as the rock tunes)than DOB and FTMF.
[Edited 7/27/09 10:35am]
Don't laugh at my funk
This funk is a serious joint
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Reply #42 posted 07/27/09 10:33am

Shango

avatar

Keri did a cool job writing this one. I dig the atmosphere, drama, all buttered up with Clare Fisher's strings 'n stuff :

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Reply #43 posted 07/27/09 11:03am

junebug18

phunkdaddy said:

junebug18 said:


that means stoke a more consistent writter. c'mon fam. larry wrote "what kind of man would i be" and "someone to love" those songs alone means he's a better writer than stoke. lol.

but stoke aint too far off....


You being a bit picky aren't you dawg.
lol
Larry is a good writer too but he needs to start picking up that
pen and write more tunes on future mint projects.
I agree that E-Life is a step back compared to the rest of their
projects. I actually like Life's Aquarium and Livin the Luxury
Brown better than DOB and FTMF. Life's Aquarium had more funk on it
and was deeper than DOB and FTMF. Livin the Luxury Brown exemplified
more freedom(such as the rock tunes)than DOB and FTMF.
[Edited 7/27/09 10:35am]


DOAD and FTMT (their best IMO) are the two best MC albums easily, I love LA and LTLB was good too and so is elife, but larry wasnt the main writer so why should "he pick up the pen more often"? Keri was moreso their principle main writer while everyone else has minor songwriting credits/and co written stuff too.

and even though LTLB was good, the last few tracks on the album kidna dragged it down a bit....they had more freedom because they were now independant, but they could of done with out some of those last few rocks cuts.

and LA was NOT better than DOAB.....DOAB had everything on it and the name spoke for itself. it had funk, blues, jazz, r&b, soul, hiphop, diverse subject matter etc...you name it!!
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Reply #44 posted 07/27/09 11:41am

phunkdaddy

avatar

junebug18 said:

phunkdaddy said:



You being a bit picky aren't you dawg.
lol
Larry is a good writer too but he needs to start picking up that
pen and write more tunes on future mint projects.
I agree that E-Life is a step back compared to the rest of their
projects. I actually like Life's Aquarium and Livin the Luxury
Brown better than DOB and FTMF. Life's Aquarium had more funk on it
and was deeper than DOB and FTMF. Livin the Luxury Brown exemplified
more freedom(such as the rock tunes)than DOB and FTMF.
[Edited 7/27/09 10:35am]


DOAD and FTMT (their best IMO) are the two best MC albums easily, I love LA and LTLB was good too and so is elife, but larry wasnt the main writer so why should "he pick up the pen more often"? Keri was moreso their principle main writer while everyone else has minor songwriting credits/and co written stuff too.

and even though LTLB was good, the last few tracks on the album kidna dragged it down a bit....they had more freedom because they were now independant, but they could of done with out some of those last few rocks cuts.

and LA was NOT better than DOAB.....DOAB had everything on it and the name spoke for itself. it had funk, blues, jazz, r&b, soul, hiphop, diverse subject matter etc...you name it!!


We have different opinions on the albums. I like DOAB but i felt it dragged
on at the end with too many ballads. There were really only 3 funk songs
on the album while the rest was midtempo and ballads when you consider
about 15 tracks excluding interludes. I mean On and On was a replay of
You don't have to Hurt no more. The never that you never know was weak imo
and could have been left off the album. Good album overall and the album should have been received better despite all the turmoil
at Perspective/A&M but when you call your album DOAB I am expecting more
funk than they shown. Life's Aquarium started off with a blaze of funk
before settling down into midtempo tunes and ballads. I thought there
was more depth to the ballads on LA than any on DOAB. IMO If you love me,
Pretty Lady, Spanish Eyes, Is this Pain our Pleasure, Just the man for you,
and Tonight were better than any of the ballads on DOAB. Just my opinion.
Doesn't matter we all die hard Mint brothas. lol
Don't laugh at my funk
This funk is a serious joint
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Reply #45 posted 07/27/09 12:02pm

BlaqueKnight

avatar

junebug18 said:



DOAD and FTMT (their best IMO) are the two best MC albums easily

^^^^^THIS.^^^^^

Mint Condition > Prince & current lineup EASILY.
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Reply #46 posted 07/27/09 12:36pm

diamondpearl1

junebug18 said:

Graycap23 said:


So what is the measurement?

that means stoke a more consistent writter. c'mon fam. larry wrote "what kind of man would i be" and "someone to love" those songs alone means he's a better writer than stoke. lol.

but stoke aint too far off....


As an 18 year Mint fan I gotta say that arguing over "who wrote mo' betta music than whoever" is truly 4 the birds. 'Cause really people like us who still play/look for/buy their music and go to the shows, don't give a damn who wrote what betta than who, we just wanna hear these fellas do what they do best and that's PLAY. smile Besides, Stokley Williams, Jeffery Allen, Larry Waddell, Rick Kinchen,and Homer O'Dell are each great musicians in their own right that combine their talents to make up one of the baddest, last standing R&B bands out there.
[Edited 7/27/09 12:45pm]
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Reply #47 posted 07/27/09 12:37pm

junebug18

phunkdaddy said:

junebug18 said:



DOAD and FTMT (their best IMO) are the two best MC albums easily, I love LA and LTLB was good too and so is elife, but larry wasnt the main writer so why should "he pick up the pen more often"? Keri was moreso their principle main writer while everyone else has minor songwriting credits/and co written stuff too.

and even though LTLB was good, the last few tracks on the album kidna dragged it down a bit....they had more freedom because they were now independant, but they could of done with out some of those last few rocks cuts.

and LA was NOT better than DOAB.....DOAB had everything on it and the name spoke for itself. it had funk, blues, jazz, r&b, soul, hiphop, diverse subject matter etc...you name it!!


We have different opinions on the albums. I like DOAB but i felt it dragged
on at the end with too many ballads. There were really only 3 funk songs
on the album while the rest was midtempo and ballads when you consider
about 15 tracks excluding interludes. I mean On and On was a replay of
You don't have to Hurt no more. The never that you never know was weak imo
and could have been left off the album. Good album overall and the album should have been received better despite all the turmoil
at Perspective/A&M but when you call your album DOAB I am expecting more
funk than they shown. Life's Aquarium started off with a blaze of funk
before settling down into midtempo tunes and ballads. I thought there
was more depth to the ballads on LA than any on DOAB. IMO If you love me,
Pretty Lady, Spanish Eyes, Is this Pain our Pleasure, Just the man for you,
and Tonight were better than any of the ballads on DOAB. Just my opinion.
Doesn't matter we all die hard Mint brothas. lol



ON AND ON and YOU DONT HAVE TO HURT NO MORE are two completely different songs. ON AND ON is about ongoing commitment/marriage while YOU DONT HAVE TO HURT NO MORE is about leaving an abusive relationship/not hurting or feeling pain no more. Lets not forget that ON AND ON is the origianl, to THIS DAY THIS MINUTE RIGHT NOW.

And THE NEVER THAT YOULL NEVER KNOW is weak?? are you serious??? That wasnt even a single and it got madd radio play and even more radio play in the UK.

The depth on Life Aquarium is good but better than DOAB?? What song on Lifes Aquairum is better than What Kind Of Man (a song about remaining faithful in a relationship, when its hard to do so), Raise Up (a social political funk jam about the upliftment of black people), Missing (a caribean clypso influence jam about problems in the world like missing children) ettc.

I can go on...but there is no comparison, I listen to both albums equally as much as the other, but DOAB >>>>> LA & LTLB.

They went on a rampage with that one.....All raw production, no sound effects/samples etc. and just natural raw quality talent.

We all MINT Brothas thats fo sho! lol
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Reply #48 posted 07/27/09 12:41pm

BlaqueKnight

avatar

Missing has more substance than most R&B artists' entire catalog. Very few other R&B artists have songs about missing children; not even Prince has one.
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Reply #49 posted 07/27/09 12:47pm

Shango

avatar

dancing jig
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Reply #50 posted 07/27/09 1:05pm

diamondpearl1

junebug18 said:

phunkdaddy said:



We have different opinions on the albums. I like DOAB but i felt it dragged
on at the end with too many ballads. There were really only 3 funk songs
on the album while the rest was midtempo and ballads when you consider
about 15 tracks excluding interludes. I mean On and On was a replay of
You don't have to Hurt no more. The never that you never know was weak imo
and could have been left off the album. Good album overall and the album should have been received better despite all the turmoil
at Perspective/A&M but when you call your album DOAB I am expecting more
funk than they shown. Life's Aquarium started off with a blaze of funk
before settling down into midtempo tunes and ballads. I thought there
was more depth to the ballads on LA than any on DOAB. IMO If you love me,
Pretty Lady, Spanish Eyes, Is this Pain our Pleasure, Just the man for you,
and Tonight were better than any of the ballads on DOAB. Just my opinion.
Doesn't matter we all die hard Mint brothas. lol



ON AND ON and YOU DONT HAVE TO HURT NO MORE are two completely different songs. ON AND ON is about ongoing commitment/marriage while YOU DONT HAVE TO HURT NO MORE is about leaving an abusive relationship/not hurting or feeling pain no more. Lets not forget that ON AND ON is the origianl, to THIS DAY THIS MINUTE RIGHT NOW.

And THE NEVER THAT YOULL NEVER KNOW is weak?? are you serious??? That wasnt even a single and it got madd radio play and even more radio play in the UK.

The depth on Life Aquarium is good but better than DOAB?? What song on Lifes Aquairum is better than What Kind Of Man (a song about remaining faithful in a relationship, when its hard to do so), Raise Up (a social political funk jam about the upliftment of black people), Missing (a caribean clypso influence jam about problems in the world like missing children) ettc.

I can go on...but there is no comparison, I listen to both albums equally as much as the other, but DOAB >>>>> LA & LTLB.

They went on a rampage with that one.....All raw production, no sound effects/samples etc. and just natural raw quality talent.

We all MINT Brothas thats fo sho! lol


I thought "Livin The Luxury" went a little harder than "Definition", 'cause by this album the brothers were older and had been thru a lot in the 5 years since Life's Aquarium both professional and personal. It felt like "Luxury" was the album they'd been wanting to make for years, but couldn't get to due 2 label politics so they stuck 2 the script and we got Life's Aquarium.
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Reply #51 posted 07/27/09 1:08pm

junebug18

BlaqueKnight said:

Missing has more substance than most R&B artists' entire catalog. Very few other R&B artists have songs about missing children; not even Prince has one.


exactly. the fact that they did that song was crazy!! their last album before that went just short of gold and had a huge R&B hit and two moderate R&B hits and a minor one as well. then they came out on their next album DOAB swinging...literally. they didnt care and just made plain music and didnt give a fuck what anybody else thought, where this time they rec'd a gold album plaque and a gold single plaque for WHAT KIND OF MAN...
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Reply #52 posted 07/27/09 1:10pm

Graycap23

BlaqueKnight said:

Missing has more substance than most R&B artists' entire catalog. Very few other R&B artists have songs about missing children; not even Prince has one.

.and the song is GOOD 2 boot.
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Reply #53 posted 07/27/09 2:29pm

junebug18

diamondpearl1 said:

junebug18 said:




ON AND ON and YOU DONT HAVE TO HURT NO MORE are two completely different songs. ON AND ON is about ongoing commitment/marriage while YOU DONT HAVE TO HURT NO MORE is about leaving an abusive relationship/not hurting or feeling pain no more. Lets not forget that ON AND ON is the origianl, to THIS DAY THIS MINUTE RIGHT NOW.

And THE NEVER THAT YOULL NEVER KNOW is weak?? are you serious??? That wasnt even a single and it got madd radio play and even more radio play in the UK.

The depth on Life Aquarium is good but better than DOAB?? What song on Lifes Aquairum is better than What Kind Of Man (a song about remaining faithful in a relationship, when its hard to do so), Raise Up (a social political funk jam about the upliftment of black people), Missing (a caribean clypso influence jam about problems in the world like missing children) ettc.

I can go on...but there is no comparison, I listen to both albums equally as much as the other, but DOAB >>>>> LA & LTLB.

They went on a rampage with that one.....All raw production, no sound effects/samples etc. and just natural raw quality talent.

We all MINT Brothas thats fo sho! lol


I thought "Livin The Luxury" went a little harder than "Definition", 'cause by this album the brothers were older and had been thru a lot in the 5 years since Life's Aquarium both professional and personal. It felt like "Luxury" was the album they'd been wanting to make for years, but couldn't get to due 2 label politics so they stuck 2 the script and we got Life's Aquarium.

you might be right with this... i could believe that.
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Reply #54 posted 07/27/09 2:38pm

BlaqueKnight

avatar

I'm stickin' to Definition Of a Band. That CD goes HARD!
Change Your Mind, Ain't Hooking Me Up Enough, Funky Weekend, I Want It Again...they were killin' it! I'm not even gonna mention What Kind Of Man Would I be, You Don't Have To Hurt No More, Asher In Rio, Raise Up, On & On, Missing, The Never That You'll Never Know and Sometimes...whoops, I guess I just did. I liked Luxury Brown but Definition was tight as hell to me.
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Reply #55 posted 07/27/09 2:41pm

Cinnie

Damn, y'all using initials for album titles and everything up in here.

I loooove LMNOP!
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Reply #56 posted 07/27/09 2:43pm

klaatu

avatar

4 words:Meant to be Mint!

Can't decide if my fav album is Definition or Luxury Brown (this is by far their most mature album imo: listen to the organic sound!)

Stockley is simply one of the best voices in the industry! they are all exceptionnal musicians!
"Goodness will guide us when love is inside of us... The Force will be with you, always"
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Reply #57 posted 07/27/09 3:09pm

junebug18

FROM THE MINT FACTORY is easily my fav and argubly their best (that and DOAB you can make an argument for on each side, but DOAB is probably the better overall album from a musicianship point of view)

I know that album (FTMF) by heart...and when I say by heart I mean every lyric, every Stokely adlib, all the back up vocals, track order, track length etc. Call me crazy, but yeah...call me crazy. lol.
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Reply #58 posted 07/27/09 3:26pm

BlaqueKnight

avatar

From The Mint Factory was more a show of the bands musical and arrangement skills. The turnaround in "Harmony" is still one of the best I've heard in any piece of popular music. They really showed their skills on this record. My only gripe is there were too many ballads for my taste. They made up for it with tracks like Nobody Does it Betta, My High, Good For Your Heart and Fidelity.
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Reply #59 posted 07/27/09 3:45pm

junebug18

BlaqueKnight said:

From The Mint Factory was more a show of the bands musical and arrangement skills. The turnaround in "Harmony" is still one of the best I've heard in any piece of popular music. They really showed their skills on this record. My only gripe is there were too many ballads for my taste. They made up for it with tracks like Nobody Does it Betta, My High, Good For Your Heart and Fidelity.


dont forget "if the feeling's right...then we can get it ooooon..."!! LOL

I agree with this though. It was like a showcase. Basically they were finally showcasing their skills and proving to people why they were a band and what they are able to do instead of just energized uptempo stuff and then 2-3 ballads like how did they did on MTBM. And what I like is that, I wouldn't say there is "too many ballads" but there is an equal amount of each type of track on the album. Allow me to explain:

uptempo (4):
nobody does it betta
if the feelings right
good for your heart
fidelity

midtempo (4):
harmony
10 million strong
back to your lovin'
my high

ballads (4):
swingin'
someone to love
always
so fine

intro/interludes/outros (4):
welcome to the mint factory
devotion
baile de febrero
gumbo

MINT CONDITION satisfied the customer equally on this one and each track is as good as the next. And each track has a different mood and everything is ORIGINAL. Hell they even threw in a jam session (MY HIGH, which i think was done improvised) on the album and it flowed so well with everything else on there. Thats another thing. this LP is so cohesive that none of the songs feel out of place when switching from track to track, intro to outro.

EDIT: Mannnnn, I'm gonna throw this on right now!
[Edited 7/27/09 15:46pm]
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