Album Review: Big Boi - Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors

Long regarded as the weaker half of the OutKast whole, Antwan André Patton – better known as Big Boi – hasn't so much brushed past his long-time lyrical sparring partner, André 3000, as simply left him in the dust. Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors doesn't offer a dull moment during its 17 tracks... okay, Mama Told Me might employ Kelly Rowland to apply a little too much sugar, but aside from that there's barely a dud cut to be digested here.

Whether the Big one is getting crunk, tender or dirty and experimental, the production behind his rapid-quick, hyper-colourful rhymes truly pops. And as far as guest slots are concerned, his selections are daring and smart, with disparate artists such as Phantogram, Little Dragon and Wavves rolling shoulder to shoulder with more expected faces such as A$AP Rocky, KiD CuDi and Theophilus London. From the delicious slow jam, She Hates Me, to the tech-heavy club banger, CPU, and the futuristic Lines, where Big Boi delivers old skool flow while employing new-era sounds such as squelching synths and washed-out Auto-Tune harmonies, he manages to build tracks that are fresh and immediate. He even stretches out the opening verse of his big hit, Shutterbug, and transforms it into the foundation sample for crumptastic hometown homage In The A, with fellow Atlanta alum T.I. and Ludacris throwing verse after verse into the pot to create perhaps the most smothering moment of the record.

Big Boi has amped up and amplified every element of his artistic quiver with this eclectic second release, commanding you to dance, no matter how you bust your moves.