Expansion Team

1	Live on Stage 4:41
2	Worst Comes to Worst 3:36
3	Clockwork 3:48
4	Trade Money 5:38
5	Heavy Rotation 5:15
6	Self Defense 3:36
7	Phil da Agony Interlude 0:42
8	Proper Propaganda 3:56
9	Dilated Junkies / J-Rocc 4:12
10	Panic 3:49
11	Pay Attention 3:24
12	Night Life 4:14
13	War 1:32
14	Hard Hitters / Black Thought 3:56
15	Defari Interlude 1:50
16	Expansion Team Theme 6:38

Barnes & Noble

In the year 2000, L.A.'s underground hip-hop kings, Dilated Peoples, signed with a major label and released one of the most eagerly awaited debut discs in rap history. Considering the long, hot minute it had taken them to cook up The Platform, DP (Evidence, Iriscience, and DJ Babu) wasted no time in turning around a sophomore set for their legions of fans in the hoodie and backpacker communities alike. And that's evident from the loose Expansion Team, which trades the immediate appeal of its acclaimed predecessor for spontaneity. Lyrically, the majority of the 16 tracks sound freestyle, as if MCs Evidence and Iriscience penned choruses such as "We don't love money but we don't hate money" ("Trade Money") just as the beats went to tape. Luckily, however, a small army of hip-hop's heaviest hitters, including DJ Premier, the Alchemist, and the Roots' Black Thought and ?uestlove come to the rescue on a number of tracks. In fact, such top-shelf talent keeps this Expansion Team from going the way of the California Angels. If the Dilated crew plan to stay in the major leagues, however, they should study the batting average of pinch-hitters like De La Soul, who are able to maintain their underground street cred while earning respectable chart success. Ron Hart

All Music Guide

A mostly successful refinement of their debut, Expansion Team finds Dilated Peoples attempting to broaden their lyrical outlook somewhat, while taking advantage of a bigger budget to experiment with a varied cast of producers. Thanks to the latter, Expansion Team is arguably an even better-sounding album than its accomplished predecessor, boasting endless subtleties and imaginative touches in its backing tracks. And if the record is still heavy on the battle rhymes, Evidence and Iriscience are turning their attention elsewhere, particularly to the perils of fame and success (or of being just on the verge of both). "Trade Money" and "Proper Propaganda" take on money and the media, respectively, and there's also a brewing social consciousness on the brief "War," which is set to a rattling snare-drum march beat. Plus, there are plenty of lyrical assurances that Dilated will stay true to its underground, purist approach; the group even takes pride in the fact that that's what's gotten them where they are now. There's a turntablist showcase for members of the Beat Junkies on "Dilated Junkies," and guest spots from tha Liks and the Roots' Black Thought; meanwhile, the array of production talent includes DJ Premier, Da Beatminerz, the Roots' ?uestlove, and DJ Babu himself. The Alchemist, however, shines just as brightly as on the debut, helming the excellent lead single "Worst Comes to Worst." Dilated Peoples still don't sound as transcendent as some would have -- they're never quite as unstudied or breezy as Jurassic 5 -- but Expansion Team indicates that they're continuing to grow, which means the fundamentals of hip-hop are in good hands. Steve Huey

Billboard

Expansion Team should do just as its title implies. The 16-track set showcases Dilated's combination of intelligent lyrics and mind-blowing production. Rashaun Hall