For those of us who own the earlier Aceyalone releases (A book of the human language, All balls don't bounce), this album feels like a collection of singles. However, to those of you who do not own those records, you're the crowd that's reading this review. So the rating of this record is high because it is a fresh breath of hip hop into the bland market now.

Aceyalone's rhymes have always been among the most interesting: he's a constant philosopher and lyricist, looking at life from the "big picture" and examining the differences in life. Tracks like "Never knew" totally examine life from the alternate point of view under a poignant piano arrangement. Old tracks ("Gimme five feet" and "Golden Mic") are reintroduced with a new luster.

For those of you willing to delve into the underground or indie parts of hip hop, Aceyalone is a step in the right direction. As an introduction into the genre I'd highly suggest this cd if one is willing to experience the opposite of what they expect out of hip hop. Creative rhymes and sterling beats make this album essential for any so-called enthusiast of hip hop.

ACE 1 Still has it !!
Aceyalone is probably in my opinion one of the most underated MC's of this decade in Hip Hop. There's just something about his rhymes that makes me say Sh%* everytime I hear it. This cat definitley has serious skills. Every lyric in his rhymes actually has significance to it. He truly makes his lyrics turn into an art form. His lyrics range from stories about life to philosophies of mankind. This album Accepted Eclectic took me a couple of listens to get completely sysed about it because it was pretty different from "Book of Human Language" because Fatjack produced this album as opposed to the last one being done by DJ mumbles. I definitely recommend ACE1's first album "Book of human language" before you hear this one because that is the album that made me drop my jaw when I heard him. All in all they are both incredible. ....plus, if you actually do decide to look into this incredible MC and you like what you hear, then definitley look into getting "who framed the A-Team" because ACE1 definitely sweeps other rappers up with this one too.

Rappers Rappers Rappers
Dissing "Hello Kitty Rappers" and bragging that he's "cursin' like a sailor with a bottle fulla Jagermeister," he makes up with his mouth what he lacks in street cred. He's old school in that his samples are scratchy and offbeat (y'know, classical strings, woodwinds, noize) and his many boasts concern mc skills, not trouser bulge. So, sixteen solid tracks, no stinkers, well done. But nothing sticks out, either - no obvious selection for a mix tape. Rather than play the fool a la Del the Funky Homosapian, he takes the safer route and remains rigid, uptight, kind of banal. In other words, the album's not much fun. But it's still morally (even aesthetically?) preferable to any thug anthem currently booming fron yonder frat house or SUV.

one of the best mcs.
aceyalone is one of the best mcs there is today, he uses just enough wordplay to make his lyrics sound good and not too cluttered that's where a lot of mcs can go wrong trying to fit as many metaphors into their lyrics as they can because they really don't have much to say. the only thing that would make him better is better beats some of the tracks sounded a little thin as far as production goes but over all this is something I would buy if you like good mcs and good lyrics.

One of the top releases of 2001
A consistently tight release. It starts with a roughin' up of no skills rappers and I suppose skilled mc's as well who put their talents to poor use on "Rappers, Rappers, Rappers". On "Microphones", Acey teams up with P.E.A.C.E. to put together an anthem to mics that extols the virtues and transcendental power of a microphone in the hands of a rapper who loves it (think Run-D.M.C.'s "Me, Myself and My Microphone"). Aceyalone shows amazing lyrical dexterity with rapid-fire spit on "Golden Mic" and the title-track which also features an oboe on top of the beats laid down by Handle Bars. "Master Your High" is a thorough smackdown to folks who party too hard. The delivery on the track is slow and clear enough to get through to the drunkest among us. With all the solid cuts on this album though, hats off to "Five Feet". Production by Fat Jack is simple without being boring and Aceyalone is at the top of his game here. On one of hip-hops best cuts in this young century Ace-One lays out his need for a little personal space. He hits on overly touchy folk, sloppy drunks (a topic dissected further on "Master Your High") and packed subways. It's the pinnacle of an album tight enough to make you build an altar to this West Coast underground legend.
If scholars scrutinize the brush stroke of a master painter, Aceyalone deserves the same level of appreciation for his wordplay. Ever since he first emerged with the Freestyle Fellowship, Acey has arguably shown himself to be the premier West Coast lyricist, crafting intricate rhyme schemes loaded with brilliant content. He flexes the creativity of a poet with the heart of a braggart, making him a dangerous opponent in any cipher. That's not to say that Acey's perfect--he's had an uneven track record on LPs. But Accepted Eclectic doesn't try for the lofty (but ill-executed) concept status of Book of Human Language, and features more consistent production than his debut All Balls Don't Bounce. Instead, Acey sticks to the basics: good rhymes, good beats, great songs. He shows unlimited range in topic, from the reflective and philosophical "Never Knew" to the rapid-fire "B-Boy Real McCoy" to a surprising remake of Ed O.G.'s classic "I Got to Have It (Too)"--he doesn't try to improve on the original (a common mistake among rappers) but instead extends it, even bringing in Ed O.G. to preserve the lineage. Concepts aside, it's still Acey's gift of gab that's the draw. His versatility is unparalleled: his words can tap dance their way across a track, as on "Golden Mic," or dig deep into it with verbal cleats, as on "Five Feet." For veteran Acey fans and the uninitiated alike, "Accepted Eclectic" is a stunning example of how far lyricism can go with its ability to amaze and inspire. --Oliver Wang