EPMD avoided the dreaded sophomore curse and kept its artistic momentum going on its second album,
Unfinished Business. Once again, the duo triumphed by going against the flow -- when MCs ranging from
Public Enemy to
Sir Mix-A-Lot to
N.W.A weren't hesitating to be abrasive and hyper,
EPMD still had a sound that was decidedly relaxed by rap standards. For the most part,
EPMD's lyrics aren't exactly profound -- boasting and attacking sucker MCs is still their favorite activity. However,
Erick and Parrish do challenge themselves a bit lyrically on "You Had Too Much to Drink" (a warning against drunk driving) and "Please Listen to My Demo," which recalls the days when they were struggling. But regardless of subject matter, they keep things exciting by having such an appealing, captivating sound. [
Unfinished Business was reissued in a two-LP vinyl edition in 2017.] ~ Alex Henderson