Live from the Tape Deck

The album's lead single, "Frisbees," was released on July 13, 2010.[9] Its music video premiered on July 29, 2010. It was directed by Derek Pike.[10] The second single, "Speakers On Blast," was released on August 30, 2010 and is Skyzoo's biggest hit to date.[11] The Derek Pike-directed video premiered on MTV on October 6, 2010.[12] The remix, featuring fellow New York rappers Lloyd Banks and Maino, was released on November 22, 2010.[13]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
DJBooth.net	[14]
HipHopDX	[15]
RapReviews	9/10[16]
The Smoking Section	[17]
Spin	7/10[18]
Urb	[19]
XXL	4/5 (XL)[20]

Upon its release, Live from the Tape Deck was met with positive reviews from music critics. SPIN's Mosi Reeves gave the album a seven out of ten, saying: "On this duo's debut full-length, [Skyzoo]'s nicely complemented by Illmind's production, which ranges from the Dilla-like soul loop of "#Allaboutthat" to the fuzzy '70s-cop-show funk of "The Now or Never." Live from the Tape Deck is full of stolid striver anthems; Skyzoo even bases a song on LeBron James' controversial "The Decision" broadcast ("Winners Circle"). But the album's meat-and-potatoes consistency remains bracing throughout."[18] Adam Fleischer of XXL gave the album an XL, and an XXL for its lyrics, saying: "Considering the winning appeal of this LP, [Skyzoo has] at least found his D-Wade to take along for the ride."[20]

RapReviews founder, Steve 'Flash' Juon, gave the album a nine out of ten, saying: "Even the littlest details on Live from the Tape Deck are perfect, like the sound of shaking up and spraying out a can on "Krylon" - it's as though The Artifacts are throwing up a burner while you listen. Guests are few and far between but Skyzoo is such a talent that he doesn't really need the support; still when it comes in the form of Buckshot and Styles P on "The Now or Never" you definitely won't be hating on it. The only bad part of Live from the Tape Deck is that it's 12 songs and 43 minutes long. When you get on a vibe this good you get hooked like a morphine addict and you want that feeling to last, and you can't wait to have it again. If you want to go old school get a 90-minute cassette and dub this sh-t off twice front to back, then pop it in your stereo and hit the autoreverse button so it stays looped. Better hope that the tape don't pop while you're sippin' on Private Stock. This is the new old school, so far ahead it's actually going way back."[16] Nathan S. of DJBooth.net gave the album four out of five stars, saying: "Unless you've got a DeLorean and a Mr. Fusion laying around we can't really go back to the days of the tape deck, nor would we want to. Ultimately I believe hip-hop's stronger than ever in the digital age, but in the rush to hear more music, faster, we've lost something crucial; the pure joy of holding an album in your hands, pressing play for the first time and becoming completely immersed in the music. Live from the Tape Deck won't singlehandedly restore that joy to the game, but it'll brings us decidely [sic] closer, and for that hip-hop lovers owe Skyzoo and !llmind some props."[14]

URB reviewer M.F. DiBella gave the album a 3.5 out of five, saying: "The blueprint of a phenomenal album is fully in place (an economical 12 tracks, one of the better producers in the game Humphrey Bogart'ing the boards and features that make you want to forgo sequencing), but sadly nothing is new under the sun, dun. Even the most ardent hip-hop artist is himself a critic, it's a culture predicated on pitted schools of thought. Oh, the guilt. Still, there is enough to redeem this effort to overlook that which it lacks. Just one aging head's opinion."[19] Edwin Ortiz of HipHop DX gave the album a 3.5 out of five, saying: "Much like label-mates 9th Wonder & Buckshot or Marco Polo & Torae, we can only hope !llmind and Skyzoo continue their collaborative efforts into the future. Both are great at their craft, and likewise have a clear drive to get better. Make no mistake, Live from the Tape Deck is worthy of your car stereo, iPod, CD player, or for heaven's sake, your tape deck."[15]

All tracks are produced by Illmind.[8][21]

Notes

• "Speakers on Blast" features additional vocals from Rapsody and Torae.[22]
• "Digital Analog", "The Burn Notice" and "Krylon" features additional guitars from Gabriel.[22]

Sample credits

• "Frisbees" contains a sample of "Laying Eggs" as performed by Paz, and "Dune" by The Wonderland Philharmonic.[23]
• "Barrel Brothers" contains a sample of "(It Would Almost) Drive Me Out of My Mind" as performed by Four Tops.[23]
• "The Now Or Never" contains a sample of "Supersnatch" as performed by Frankie Miller.[23]
• "#Allabouthat" contains a sample of "Do You Love Me Just a Little, Honey" as performed by Gladys Knight & The Pips.[23]

Credits for Live from the Tape Deck adapted from AllMusic[8] and from the album liner notes.[22]