not that it was wack (De La has no such albums in their discography), but I have a feeling that Stakes was the way it was, was because of the way that album rolled out.

I remember buying the tape and being "WTF?!!!" once you got past the singles. Compared to De La Soul Is Dead it was a bit of a step downward. I need to listen to this album again.

Now Stakes? Got a lot of memories attached to the songs, even the more sleepy album cuts.