Luis Guerra
Staff Writer
Review
Generation EFX
Das EFX
(EastWest Records)
***
The boogedy-woogedy Brooklyn boys are back with their fourth album, a satisfactory follow-up to the platinum debut Dead Serious and the sophomore, jinxed Straight Up Sewaside. Though not as good as the highly slept-upon gem, Hold it Down, Generation EFX has plenty of worthwhile moments.
Das comes with a hard-core style on "Somebody Told Me" and "No Doubt," which features M.O.P. and Teflon. Redman shows up on the first single, "Rap Scholar," and helps place this song above the rest of the album.
The title track samples the '80s Rocky staple "Eye of the Tiger" and is a total freak-out. The whole thing is actually chock-full of ear-catching samples, some familiar, some more obscure. The album is pretty tight, except for the fact that every track has something to do with making money or gettin' paid. There's nothing wrong with one song on this topic, but it's a bit overdone.
Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back
Daz Dillinger
(Death Row Records)
**1/2
A few years ago, Dat Nigga Daz was introduced to the world on Dr. Dre's The Chronic. As time went on, he gained respect as a producer and released Dogg Food with partner-in-crime Kurupt. The two have since parted ways, and Daz Dillinger has now released a solo project, Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back.
The album is full of guest appearances, and at times seems more like a compilation. Snoop Doggy Dog, 2pac, Kurupt, WC, Soopafly, Outlawz and MC Eiht are just a few of the names that crop up.
The first single, "In California," aspires to anthem status, but it simply fails. Songs about the Golden State are just too played out. A couple of other wack tracks are "Baby Mama Drama," a song about women playing their men for child support payments, and "Only For U," which attempts to show the sensitive side of this Dogg Pound Gangsta.
"Initiated" comes with the aid of the late 2pac Shakur and his Outlawz. This posse cut is venomous, but what track with Shakur isn't?
Retaliation is a listenable project, but it lacks originality. Daz is a good producer, but his beats are also too repetitive at times. Hopefully his better half, Kurupt, will drop his new album and prove he was the backbone of the DPG.
Headz or Tailz
Do Or Die
(Rap-A-Lot Records)
***
Change is something a lot of artists go through between first and second albums. Do Or Die, though, doesn't make any type of change whatsoever on its latest album.
It seems like it's stuck on this ridin' and pimpin' trip to the point of no return.
The thing is, it also seems those topics are all Do or Die is suitable for. "Still Po Pimpin'" is the first single, and it was a solid choice. It features fellow Chicago native Twista and the smooth, Southern flow of R&B singer Johnny P. He also appears on "Nobody's Home," a player-type track.
"Just Ballin'" is a lyrically fast song that sounds like rival Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony. Speaking of Bone, "Bustin' Back" is a rebuttal to their single, "Look Into My Eyes." It hits hard and should spark a nice beef between the Midwest artists.
"All in the Club," which was featured on the Caught Up soundtrack, features Danny Boy and deserves a listen. Mr. Scarface lends his vocals to the rock-tinged "Who Am I," and fellow Geto Boy Bushwick Bill speaks his mind on the outro.
Headz or Tailz isn't going to set any new standards or change the face of rap music, but Do Or Die were wise to stick to what they're good at.
Albums are rated on a one- to five-star scale.