It weird, because of there's any album that should sound "dated," this is certainly one. The beats are almost completely taken from the "Ultimate Beats and Breaks" records. By their own accounts, Keith and Ced scribbled down all their lyrics immediately before getting into the booth, and it sounds like it, especially with Ced (I think he uses the "Smoke/dope/choke" rhyme on four different tracks, at least).

And still, I revisit this album all the damn time. It oddly seems advanced, even 25 years later. Of the classic albums that dropped in 1988, I think this is my second favorite, behind only "It Takes a Nation". And I probably listen to "Critical Beatdown" more than "Nation" these days, if only because I listened to "Nation" soooo much when I was growing up.

I wish there was a universe where Ultramag could get into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, off the strength of this album alone.