This album has a smooth and silly and almost bored sound, as if De La Soul is trying to change up the sound from 3 Feet High And Rising but not trying to sound like they’re trying too hard. You almost get whiplash from all the different sounds, from a lazy punky vibe to roller-rink disco funk to raps bordering on comedy skits, over beats even the most rhythmically challenged among us (read: me) can groove to.

I’ll give credit where it’s due - Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (a classic video game for my generation) hit the nail on the head when they chose “Oodles of O’s” for their soundtrack. Pro Skater games always have iconic soundtracks that play while you tear up virtual skate parks and do kickflips over city streets and stuff. That kind of punk / skateboarder feeling isn’t exactly what this album contains, but the two worlds definitely have some overlap. There’s a kind of “just go with it” feeling hidden in the sometimes silly, sometimes discontent lyrics of this album.

I loved this album even more than 3 Feet High and Rising, but even more importantly, I’ve discovered my next Jamwise project - dissecting the soundtracks of every Tony Hawk Pro Skater game. It’s gonna be a blast.

Jams

“A Roller Skating Jam Named “Saturday””
“Bitties In The BK Lounge”

From the roundup Jamwise #38 - Best Albums of 1991, Pt. 2.