The album debuted at number 64 on the Billboard 200 with 7,700 copies sold in its first week in the United States.[1]
The album was preceded by two singles: "To Be Continued..." and "You". The first single from the album, "To Be Continued...", was not initially intended to be included on the album, but due to a positive response after its leak by DJ Premier on Sirius'HipHopNation,[2] the song was included. Music video for "You" was directed by Todd Angkasuwan.
The album won the 2011 HHUG Album of the Year award.[3]
Background
After releasing four studio albums with Dilated Peoples from 2000 to 2006 and his debut solo studio album The Weatherman LP in 2007, Evidence has signed with Minneapolis-based independent record labelRhymesayers Entertainment in 2009.[4] Same year he revealed that his follow-up to 2008's extended play The Layover EP, which was released via Decon, will be called Cats & Dogs and is scheduled to be released in 2010.[5] In May 2011, Evidence stated that the album was finished and is set to be released before summer of 2011 ends.[6] On Summer 2011, Evidence revealed the album's track list, cover art and the new release date of September 27, 2011.[7]
The album is missing track thirteen. In his interview with DJBooth, where Evidence broke down the album track by track, the artist spoke:
"There is no track 13 on purpose. The first line of "To Be Continued" starts "10 commandments, 24 hours, the 13th floor was missing from the towers". The Masons, any buildings built by them leave the 13th floor out. 13 is not just a lucky number, but an unlucky number too. People use it both ways. For me to leave it [the 13th track] blank and then explain why in the first line of the next track, "To Be Continued" to me is genius. I don't think there's ever been a missing 13th track on an album, ever".[8]
Cats & Dogs was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 79, based on ten reviews.[9]
Chris Faraone of The Boston Phoenix gave the album 4 out of maximum 4 stars, saying: "unlike liars, fakers, and bullshit artists, he backs up his name and claim with anecdotal gems aplenty".[13] Erik Burg of Beats Per Minute also praised the album, resuming: "it's dark but inspirational, catchy but never kitschy. Most of all though, it's honest".[12]AllMusic's David Jeffries called it "such a well-built slab of indie rap that a four-year wait seems well worth it".[11] Brad Washington of PopMatters wrote: "Evidence won't have the copies flying off the shelf or cause internet hysteria anytime soon, but he can deliver a thoughtful and interesting album in Cats & Dogs".[16] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews stated: "the fans who ride for Ev won't be disappointed by Cats & Dogs. He continues to show that love for hip-hop on tracks".[17] M.F. DiBella of Urb claimed: "despite running a bit long, this is clearly one of the year's better releases".[18]HipHopDX editor found it "a moody, well-produced album that, at times, is brimming with meaning-something not entirely common these days".[14]
In mixed reviews, Anupa Mistry of Now wrote: "essentially, Evidence harkens back to 00s rap nostalgia without resorting to preachy tirades or regressive concepts, a respite during a time of sing-rap and hyper-aggressive flows".[15] Aaron Matthews of XXL wrote: "though it runs a little long, Cats & Dogs is a banging, consistent platter that ought to satisfy backpackers and hard-rocks alike".[19]
