Outkast - Idlewild

Yes, Outkast is probably more a brand than a group these days -- the last two records are essentially Big Boi and Andre 3000 solo albums, with the occasional collaboration, combined and marketed under the banner. And yes, this record in particular has its flaws and moments of overindulgence, as did the movie for which it serves as something of a soundtrack. But even a sub-par outing by Atlanta's favorite sons is better than most folks' A-material, there are at least 8 or 10 tracks here that rank with the group's best work, and at the end of the day, I'm just a sucker for these guys and their incredible talents. Most impressive of all is the extent to which Big Boi -- long considered the "harder," more rap-oriented counterpoint to Andre's quirky and more "musical" genre-hopping -- has developed a pop sensibility that is every bit as keen as his flamboyent, oddball partner's. He positively dominates the stronger tracks here, but the record is no less melodic and engaging as a result. If, as rumors often suggest, this turns out to be the last Outkast album, it'll be a shame that they didn't go out with a uniformly excellent finale. But if they are, as some insist, "the Beatles of hip-hop," then this can serve as their flawed but endearing Let It Be. And that ain't so bad.

LISTEN / DOWNLOAD: Morris Brown, and hear Big Boi (with Sleepy Brown and Scar) backed by The Marching Wolverines of Morris Brown College, right here in The ATL.