Firstly, I want to start off by saying that I am a huge Snoop Dogg fan, even been to see him live within the last month, but frankly this album is a major let down.
Lets start with the positives though. This album is good in that it features 2 of Snoop Dogg's recent wave of comeback tunes. From Da Chuuurch To Da Palace and the massive summer smash Beautiful; both produced by the Neptunes are basically what re-launched Snoop's career in the last couple of years. The beats, the chorus's, the party style in your face lyrics are all perfect. However, don't let this lure you into a false sense of security !! The rest of the album is weak to say the least.
There are simply no tracks that stand out from the rest, Snoop is trying to be quirky but it simply doesn't work. He doesn't sound comfortable, as if he knows the composition just doesn't sit right. Its almost as if the Neptunes have provided beats and Snoop doesn't know what to do with them.
Take the second track, Bo$$ Would Like to See You, its simply 2 minutes of Snoop saying "The Boss Would Like To See You" over a very awkward sounding mobile ringtone clone of a bass. Track 3, Stoplight, does show a bit more hope, with a nice bit of rap for the verse, but the pathetic chorus ruins the whole song. The only purpose this provides is to prop up From Da Chuuurch To Da Palace, and after that were back down to wishy washy R&B (I Believe in You), which contains very little rap, struggles to fit in and has no place on the album. Track 6, Lollipop is only saved by Jay-Z and Nate Dogg, but it is a very similar story throughout after this point, there is simply no continuity or flow.
Even though we're only talking £6.99 at Amazon, (granted, which is good for an album) overall id have to say to give this one a miss. Snoop is in a transitional stage at this point, turning away from his raw bad boy gangsta style to his new commercial rhythm and gangsta chart busting. But this album shows that he hasn't reached it yet. Personally, id recommend you either stick with the eternally classic Doggystyle or go for R&G - Rhythm and Gangster: The Masterpiece. Its only at this point that Snoop has found a level which he feels and sounds comfortable on once again.
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