I've stated before that the lyrics on ATLiens really aren't that much different from their debut, and I still stand by that, and I still stand by that. Just because they're aliens doesn't mean that they aren't "Paliens" as I believe I described them. They still talk about life in the ATL ("Dectatur Psalm"), and kind of acting like pimps ("Wheelz of Steel"), and while it isn't rampant pimping, it is still emboiled in their roots. Real life is still emboiled heavily in a space-aged album like this one. With Goodie's Mob's first album the south changed it's game entirely toward a native sound and boom of creativity. Like any mortal, Outkast would logically have followed in suit and made some more of that new dope sound. But Outkast is Outkast and they instead only blazed more new ground! The album is bizarre in a way, mixing the down home soul of "Soul Food" with a jeep booming sci-fi atmosphere. What? Yeah I know, straneg. But it's dope as hell without question. It's an intensly moody album in the best way, giving the sense of a creamy darkness like early morning sky. The emceeing is the main leap though, Andre 3000 has started going out on his own into being on of rap's most singular personalties here (as evidenced by the turban on the cover). Because of this we get the start of Outkast's natural dichotomy between the spacey musings of Dre and the street hardness of Big Boi. From start to finish this is great and lovingly made. So few other rap acts put this level of effort into every corner of their releases. You just want to look over every rhyme, every inch of the production. If only the south could have followed Outkast on their wild journey into pushing the envelope on this route, but it too was heading for darker times of cliche and mindlessness. But even that would be gradual, while west and east fell hard, creating the end of the golden age, the south's golden years would continue on for a little while more, largely on the strength of Outkast itself. To me, a good duo is one in which there isn't one rapper that I like so much more than the other that I wish I was listening to the better rapper when the lesser rapper's verse is playing. This has NEVER been a problem for OutKast. As in most duos, there is a better rapper, and in OutKast, it's Andre 3000, although some actually prefer Big Boi. However, when Big Boi is rapping, I don't wish it was Andre's verse; I want to listen to his verse until it's over. The second album in Outkast's string of classics, and in my opinion, the best. The album speaks for itself, one of the best albums I've ever listened to AND it has great replay value. The beats alone are good enough to cruise around the city with your windows down, but the lyrics, the lyrics are outstanding - particularly Andre 3000. He is exceptional on every song he appears on, while Big Boi brings the country "swang" and flow that gets your head to start bopping. What makes this album so good? Everything meshes, nothing sounds out of place, everything from the beats to the hooks, sounds natural, like it was meant to be. The point to all of this is this: ATLiens is an album that resonates with me like really no other album does. It's an album that really just means so much to me personally, and there is no other album, including any Eminem album, that just means so much to me, and gets to me so emotionally as this one. Everything about it, the cover, the CD, the beautiful liner art and coloring, just mean so much to me. As much as I'm talking out of my ass, I really mean it. There's an indescribeable-aura about the album for me, sometimes it gives m that near goosebump feeling. The word "beautiful" isn't a word I throw around for rap albums too often, but I can't help but use it for ATLiens.

On their debut, Andre 3000 and Big Boi were far above average rappers, and on ATLiens, they're even further above average rappers. OutKast's debut, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, was a classic. Two years later, they released ATLiens. It had a much different sound and many criticize for that, but times had changed and true artists are always looking to evolve. Personally, I think ATLiens is OutKast's best album.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

Released on August 27, 1996, by LaFace Records. ATLiensentered the Billboard 200 chart at #2 and sold nearly 350,000 copies within two weeks of release. The album It has been certified double platinum by the RIAA, for shipments of two million copies in the United States, and generated the hit singles “Elevators (Me & You)”, “ATLiens”, and “Jazzy Belle”. The coolest album that'll ever sex your ears. Production is outstanding, the lyrics are provoking, you can play it in your car or when you need some intellect. Amazing.

Another thing that's different from their debut is the production. On their debut, Organized Noize brought some funky production that literally created the Southern sound. It was some revolutionary production. This time around, Organized Noize produced a lot of the album, but a lot of it was produced by OutKast, credited as Earthtone Ideas. The production on ATLiens is nothing like the production on their debut. It definitely still sounds like southern hip hop, but not the same as their debut. The production here is darker. It's not on the east coast tip, but it's relatively dark. I think that a lot of people prefered the production on their debut, but I actually prefer the production on ATLiens. The production here is dark enough to match their lyrics, and it is, without a doubt, phenomenal.Selected items are only available for delivery via the Royal Mail 48® service and other items are available for delivery using this service for a charge. Merch Traffic has curated an e-commerce collection to commemorate the groundbreaking and one of a kind ATLiens album. The collection features custom-made pieces, hand-drawn artwork, and a variety of unique novelty items specifically made for the 25th Anniversary. Items can be found at Outkast-Shop.com.

Look, the first time you listen to ATLiens, there's a great chance you won't really appreciate it or even like it too much. Lord knows I didn't. But the odds are, the longer you give it to sink in, the more you begin to appreciate every aspect of it. And for me, it will always be an album that I hold so near and dear to my heart, and it will be one of the most special albums for me of all time. And this is the true definition of a classic. ATLiens debuted at number two on the billboard top 100, and sold nearly 350,000 copies in its first two weeks of release. The album has been certified double platinum by the RIAA, for shipments of two million copies in the US. The album spawned the singles " Elevators (Me & You)", " ATLiens", and " Jazzy Belle". Since its release, ATLiens has been listed by several magazines and critics as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. anniversary ATLiens single bundles include the album’s singles–“Elevators (Me & You),”“ATLiens” and “Jazzy Belle.” Videos for each of the songs have been upgraded to HD as part of the celebration. “Elevators (Me & You)” has recently been certified RIAA platinum, joining the single “ATLiens” (RIAA gold) and the album ATLiens (certified RIAA double platinum)As I implied earlier, Andre and Big Boi have improved since their debut. In fact, if you couldn't already tell from the 10/10 rating, they are amazing here. ATLiens displays some top notch lyricism. Even more noticable than their improved rapping, is the change in subject matter. On their debut, it was all about pimps and hoes and all the usual Southern topics. On ATLiens, the tone is more serious. This is much more of a conscious album. If you were looking for another version of their debut, you aren't going to find it here, or anywhere else in their discography for that matter. Since its release, ATLiens continues to be heralded by top magazines, music critics and aficionados as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.

Exclusive Limited Edition 4xLP + Glow In The Dark 7" Bundle Originally released on August 27, 1996, ATLiens has been listed by several magazines and critics as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. To commemorate the 25th Anniversary Get On Down is proud to offer an exclusive bundle including: To celebrate the anniversary, we’re releasing the ATLiens (25 th Anniversary Edition) on 4 LP’s, which includes the original album plus the Instrumentals which are being released commercially for the first time! In November of 2021 VMP alerted club members there was a manufacturing error in the pressing of the 2nd LP (Side C/D) and it caused surface noise issues. After an investigation they located the issue and found that it affected the entire pressing of this title. In March of 2022 a replacement Side C/D LP was sent to all Club Members who received the original release in a generic white VMP Sleeve. producer 1, 2, 5, 8-12, 14, 15, remixer 15, drum programming 1, 2, 4, 5, 8-13, 15, keyboards 1, 2, 4, 5, 8-13, 15 ATLiens is one of the best hip hop albums of all time. It's by far my favorite OutKast album. I recommend it to all hip hop fans. Especially, fans of southern hip hop and conscious hip hop.Spotlight Singles–including “Elevators (Me & You),”“ATLiens” and “Jazzy Belle”–Newly Uprezzed for HD Videos & Bundles